Oconee raised fish stocked near Columbia

The freshwater fisheries division of the South Carolina DNR has started the process to stock thousands of catchable-sized (8-11-inch) trout into the Lower Saluda River near Columbia.  These rainbow and brown trout are raised and transported from the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery in Oconee County will be delivered by trucking fish to multiple locations in the Lower Saluda.  Cold waters released from the bottom of Lake Murray provide suitable habitat for the trout and a popular fishery in the Midlands.  Anglers should keep in mind that lower reach of the Saluda, from the eastbound I-20 bridge downstream to Stacey’s Ledge, is year-round catch and release fishing for all species of coldwater trout.  It’s unlawful to take and keep trout at any time in that section of the river.