What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary)?

Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary) carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override South Carolina's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass and Striped bass. One of them reads: "Bassmaster Classic recurring venue (most recently 2022) — GA/SC reciprocal boundary water; 14 in min largemouth, 5 / day combined black bass; striped + hybrid striped 10 / day combined, only 3 over 26 in." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary)?

Yes. Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary) is in South Carolina, so a valid South Carolina fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Lake Hartwell; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Carolina rules.

Do Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary)'s special rules replace South Carolina's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. South Carolina's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Hartwell by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Lake Hartwell?

Largemouth bass and Striped bass have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary), each linking to its full South Carolina regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Carolina limits.

2026 regulation year

Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary) 2026 — South Carolina Fishing Regulations

South Carolina statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary) carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of South Carolina's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass, Striped bass. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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Watch Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary) (SC) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Bassmaster Classic recurring venue (most recently 2022) — GA/SC reciprocal boundary water; 14 in min largemouth, 5 / day combined black bass; striped + hybrid striped 10 / day combined, only 3 over 26 in
Source: South Carolina special-water list

Per-species rules on Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary)

Largemouth bass regulations →
14 in min largemouth, 5 / day combined; GA/SC reciprocal; Bassmaster Classic recurring venue
Striped bass regulations →
10 / day combined striped + hybrid, only 3 over 26 in; GA/SC reciprocal

Official source

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 South Carolina fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official South Carolina fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any South Carolina trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in South Carolina

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary)?: Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary) carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override South Carolina's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass and Striped bass. One of them reads: "Bassmaster Classic recurring venue (most recently 2022) — GA/SC reciprocal boundary water; 14 in min largemouth, 5 / day combined black bass; striped + hybrid striped 10 / day combined, only 3 over 26 in." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary)?: Yes. Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary) is in South Carolina, so a valid South Carolina fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Lake Hartwell; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Carolina rules.
Do Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary)'s special rules replace South Carolina's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. South Carolina's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Hartwell by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Lake Hartwell?: Largemouth bass and Striped bass have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Hartwell (Savannah River, GA/SC boundary), each linking to its full South Carolina regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Carolina limits.

← Back to South Carolina regulations overview