When it’s cold outside, it’s tempting to curl up with a blanket, comfortable clothes, and a fire indoors. While we love a cozy day in as much as anyone, there’s so much to see out and about in Lake Hartwell Country – even in the winter! So bundle up and heat up the car, because it’s time to hit the road and experience January around LHC.
Winter Fishing
Fishing for trout in winter can be a surprisingly fruitful activity, as the trout are more sluggish in colder waters. In rivers, they tend to rest longer on the bottom of the waterway, so expert anglers recommend keeping flies slow and deep while using your other equipment to dredge the stream bottom. The best winter fishing time is between noon and sunset when the sun has warmed the water, or after a few sunny days in a row have given the water a chance to warm all the way through. The Chattooga River is one of the best-known trout fisheries in South Carolina, especially upstream in Oconee County and down the East Fork towards the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery.
Other rivers like the Chauga and Eastatoee provide great trout fishing in Lake Hartwell Country, though our favorite spot is serene Lake Jocassee. Since the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources began stocking the lake from the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery over 50 years ago, brown and rainbow trout have flourished, along with other species like bass and bream. Here, the trout spend winter days between the surface and 100 feet down, and many prefer to congregate around fallen timber. Anglers can head out on the lake from any of the three paved access points or take a scenic walk up through the forest to find a feeder stream.
Winter Hiking
Hiking in the winter? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! We love winter hikes in Lake Hartwell Country for a few reasons: you don’t have to sweat in the sweltering weather; trails are less populated so you feel more at peace in nature; and the leafless trees are actually a blessing – through their branches, you can see the landscape for miles around.
Follow the Oconee Trail in Oconee State Park through a serene, wooded area, passing one of the park’s lakes along the way. Sometimes you can see Appalachian wildlife along the trail, and without much foliage around, your chances are even better! Warmer, sunny days may give animals a burst of energy, so keep your eyes peeled as you hike.
Meanwhile, the Lakeside Trail in Table Rock State Park offers a relaxing 1.9-mile-long loop. Tracing the perimeter of Lake Oolenoy, the path is fairly flat, so you don’t need to worry about climbing slippery trails. This trail is great for the whole family: if your kids or pets have been hit with mid-winter cabin fever, they can easily expend some energy on this trail.
One more option is a short, quick trek out to Reedy Branch Falls in Long Creek. With just a 0.1-mile-long gravel path from the parking lot to the falls, it’s easy to see these beautiful falls in any weather. In rain, sun, snow, or fog, this little hike is almost foolproof.
Winter Warm-Ups
Dig into some tasty food and craft beer at The Silos in Easley, where you’ll get the best of both worlds with indoor and outdoor seating options. The unique gathering space features a brewery and several local restaurants, serving yummy options to satisfy every tastebud. While you can sit inside the warm brewery, the true appeal of The Silos is its lovely outdoor space, known as The Grainyard. With several firepits to cozy up around, you don’t have to feel cooped up inside at this cool complex.
And here in Lake Hartwell Country, there are plenty of local coffee shops serving up java that will warm you from the inside out. Check out eCity Java in Anderson for a quiet, comfortable nook inside a historic building, or Moe Joe Coffee Co. in Clemson – perfect for quiet reading sessions while you sip on custom coffee concoctions.
January in the South can be hard to predict: will it bring a shocking snow-and-ice storm, days of pouring rain, or pleasingly temperate afternoons? Whatever the weather, rest assured that incredible destinations all around Lake Hartwell Country are waiting for you to enjoy them this month!
Comments