SLV Rod & Gun Club

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is a South Carolina state agency charged with regulating hunting, fishing, boating, duck stamp orders, and the conservation efforts of the state government. DNR documents are listed below:

• SCDNR and Corp Public Boat Ramps
• Keep Our Native Fish
• GA SC Reciprocal Fishing
• 2023-4 SC Hunting & Fishing Regulations
• SCDNR Range Info
• SCDNR Resident Hunting and Fishing Licenses
• SCDNR Senior License
• SCDNR Boating FAQ's
• SCDNR Fishing and Events Calendar
• SCDNR Freshwater Fishing Trends
• SCDNR Fish Attractors
• The Meaning of Buoys (With SC DNR)

Recycle real Christmas trees at Thurmond and Hartwell Lakes for fish habitat. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District’s Forest, Fish, and Wildlife Section at the J. Strom Thurmond Lake and the Hartwell Dam and Lake will accept real Christmas trees for recycling as fish habitat again this season. Read the article.

Corps of Engineers host youth waterfowl hunts at Richard B. Russell Lake. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, is planning to host youth waterfowl hunts at the Richard B. Russell Project during the months of December and January for youth participants ages 9-16. Read the article.

Boundary Line Maintenance at J. Strom Thurmond Project. Workers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, at J. Strom Thurmond Project have begun work inspecting and re-painting approximately 60 miles of the existing boundary line, primarily in Lincoln and Wilkes County, starting near New Petersburg Road, near the Lincoln County Transfer Station, and ending near the Fishing Creek Store, south of Elberton Highway. Read the article.

Bussey Point 2024 Deer Hunts canceled due to storm damage at Thurmond Lake. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, J. Strom Thurmond, Forest, Fish, and Wildlife Section is canceling the Bussey Point Corps Management Unit 2024 deer hunts due to the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Read the article.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, J. Strom Thurmond Lake has experienced significant impacts, damage, and property loss in the area due to Hurricane Helena. The Corps currently has minimal staffing due to the storm, but available project staff are currently assessing all parks/project areas and prioritizing tree removal/cleanup. Read the article.

Richard B. Russell Lake, commonly referred to as Russell Lake, is situated between the states of Georgia and South Carolina. In a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Resources Division, juvenile largemouth bass were recently introduced into the lake to combat ecological damage from invasive fish species. Read the article.

Upper Savannah River Reservoirs Enter Drought Level 2. The three reservoirs on the upper Savannah River Basin operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, declared the second flow reduction in two months in response to the pool elevation at Lake Thurmond dipping below Drought Trigger Level 2, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. Read the article.

Recreation Areas - Power Generation: The Thurmond power generation schedule is available by calling toll free 1-800-533-3478. The schedule is recorded daily and is subject to change.

Hunting Safety is a top priority at Hartwell, Russell, Thurmond Lakes: As hunting season approaches, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, is emphasizing the importance of safe hunting practices to prevent accidents and ensure a positive experience for all visitors on public lands surrounding the three major reservoirs: Hartwell Lake, Richard B. Russell Lake, and J. Strom Thurmond Lake, in Georgia and South Carolina. Read the article.

Hartwell Lake recreation areas open for hunting during 2024-2025 season. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Hartwell Lake Project Office will open three of its larger recreation areas for hunting during the regular hunting season for 2024-2025 in Georgia, in addition to the seven areas within Fant’s Grove Wildlife Management Area in South Carolina. Read the article.

Mourning dove season will open Sept. 2nd. This year on private lands only, shooting hours will be from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset beginning on opening day – there will be no mandatory noon start to begin the season on private lands. Public dove field regulations remain unchanged and will open at noon on Sept. 7th. Bag limit is 15 birds. Mourning dove season: Sept. 2 – Oct. 5; Nov. 16 – Nov. 30; Dec. 22 – Jan. 31

The most convenient way to report your harvest is with the SC Game Check feature in the Go Outdoors SC mobile app on your smartphone. The Go Outdoors SC app was recently updated with improvements, new features and available tags for the current season. To ensure a trouble-free experience, make sure your device is set for automatic app updates or download the latest update from the app store.

J. Strom Thurmond Lake Recreation Area Seasonal Closures: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, will begin closing or partially closing certain recreation sites for the season at the J. Strom Thurmond Lake beginning Sept. 3, 2024. Read the article.

The Candy Branch Shooting Range in Abbeville County is temporarily closed. The range, located on the Sumter National Forest, is owned and operated by the U.S. Forest Service. For information on Candy Branch and other South Carolina shooting ranges, read the article.

Hartwell Lake day-use fees must be paid by credit, debit card at automated fee stations. Now that warm weather is here, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, at Hartwell Lake and Dam Project Office would like to remind park visitors to bring a debit or credit card to pay for the use of a boat ramp and/or visits to day-use parks, as cash isn’t accepted at the automated fee stations. Read the article.

Call USACE at Russell Dam (800) 944-7207 to learn of dam operations at Hartwell, Russell, & Thurmond as well as if their aerators are working. There are several air lines underwater down by Modoc and when they operate, lines of bubbles breaking the surface can be seen. The lines are suspended about 45 ft down in 70-100 ft of water. Fishing downlines on the bubbles and drop offs near them can be pretty successful on hot days. The bubbles blind ‘fish finders’ so it is difficult to figure out what depth to fish, but if you find one, you’ll find more.
 
The 2023-2024 State Hunting and Fishing Laws and Regulations Guide has been updated online and is available for download.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, announces annual passes are now available at Hartwell, and J. Strom Thurmond Lake Project Visitors Centers. Read the article.

J. Strom Thurmond Lake, also known as Clarks Hill Lake, nestled between the states of Georgia and South Carolina, is not only a scenic haven for outdoor enthusiasts, but also a thriving ecosystem teeming with diverse wildlife. Read the article.

Archery is available locally at Hickory Knob State Park, by appointment only (requires 24 hour notice), for ages 7 and up. Maximum amount of people per group is 4 per appointment. $15 per person includes a 30 minute session with a ranger and equipment provided by the park. $10 per person includes a 30 minute session with a ranger, and you provide your own equipment.

The Modoc Boat Ramp Fishing Pier was updated recently by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Land was cleared near the popular Modoc boat launch, the existing fishing pier was relocated, a retaining wall was built and back-filled, and a walkway was constructed, with the parking area that now allows wheelchair accessibility. Read the article.

Guns

• 2024 SC Constitutional Carry or Permitless carry Law
• 2024 SC Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws
• SC CWP Application
• A Practical Guide to Ammunition Casings from Aluminum to Zinc

Boats

• South Carolina Public Boat Ramps-Department of Natural Resources
• GA and SC Recreation Areas - Current Status of Corps Boat Ramps
• How to Use a Trolling Motor
• What is Garmin Livescope?
• All About Your Livewell
• DYI Boat Livewell
• Register your boat or jet ski

Lakes and Fishing

• Where can I fish?
• Georgia Lake Levels
• Moon Phases
• 2024 Clarks Hill Fishing Tournaments
• 2024 South Carolina Fishing Tournaments
• Lake J. Strom Thurmond Map
• CSRA Kayak Fishing
• Lake Strom Thurmond Diffuser Lines
• Fishing Guide for Hartwell, Richard B. Russell & J. Strom Thurmond Lakes
• Walleye Fishing in Georgia
• Black Bass Slam: The Spotted Bass
• Savannah River Yellow Perch
• Easy Fishing Knots
• DYI Marker buoys
• Beginner's Guide to Fishing
• Different Types of Fishing Lines Explained
• How to Clean Fish
• How to use Planer Boards
• Local Bait Shops
• Striper Seminar Notes (11/24)

• Club By-Laws
• Board of Directors
• Rod & Gun Club History (Updated May 2024)
• Rod and Gun Club Application with Wavier (current)
• Fishing Contest Rules
• Pistol Range SOP
• Club Pictures
• Fish Fry Recipes