Lake Secession
About Lake Secession
Lake Secession is a man-made reservoir on the Rocky River in western South Carolina, located primarily in Abbeville County with its upper reaches extending into Anderson County. The lake lies near the communities of Iva, Antreville, Lowndesville and Abbeville. It was created by construction of the Lake Secession Dam, also known as the Rocky River Dam, which was completed by the City of Abbeville in 1940 as a hydroelectric project.
The reservoir covers approximately 1,425 acres at normal pool, contains about 52.28 miles of shoreline, and stretches approximately 6 miles along the Rocky River. Its storage capacity is approximately 25,650 acre-feet. SCDNR classifies Lake Secession as a eutrophic, or fertile, reservoir, supporting productive warm-water fisheries including black crappie, largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish and a seasonal spring white bass fishery in the lake's headwaters.
Key Features
Quick facts (at-a-glance)
- Location: Near Iva and Abbeville, Abbeville & Anderson Counties, South Carolina
- Surface Area: 1,425 acres at normal pool
- Maximum Depth: No official maximum-depth figure is currently published by SCDNR
- Shoreline Length: 52.28 miles
- Elevation: Up to 548 ft under the current operating rule curve
- Type: Man-made hydroelectric reservoir
- Fish Species: Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Catfish, Bluegill and Redear Sunfish
- Average Summer Temp: No official lake-specific average water-temperature figure is published by SCDNR
- Public Access: Highway 184 public boat ramp near the upper reaches of the lake; SCDNR lists one boat ramp and two fishing-access locations
- Nearby Attractions: Historic Abbeville, Calhoun Falls State Park, Lake Richard B. Russell, Broadway Lake and the Old 96 District
Lake Secession Vacation Homes For Rent
What you can do there
Crappie Fishing: Lake Secession is particularly well known for its black crappie fishery. SCDNR describes the lake's crappie fishing as especially noteworthy and locally regarded as one of the better crappie fisheries in South Carolina's Upstate, making spring and cooler-season fishing especially popular.
Bass Fishing: Largemouth bass are another important game species in Lake Secession. Anglers fish shoreline cover, creek channels, points and other reservoir structure throughout the year, while state-specific size and possession regulations apply to largemouth bass harvested from the lake.
Catfish & Bream Fishing: Lake Secession also supports good fishing for catfish, bluegill and redear sunfish. These species make the lake attractive for family fishing trips as well as anglers who prefer fishing from docks, shore-access areas or small boats.
White Bass Fishing: A distinctive feature of the Lake Secession fishery is its seasonal spring opportunity for white bass. SCDNR notes that white bass can be targeted in the headwaters of the lake during their seasonal movements into the upper Rocky River portion of the reservoir.
Boating: Lake Secession's approximately six-mile length and numerous shoreline coves provide room for recreational boating and fishing boats. The primary public launch is located at the Highway 184 Access near the lake's upper reaches, where boaters can enter the Rocky River portion of the reservoir.
Kayaking & Paddling: The lake's coves, tributary areas and relatively narrow reservoir shape make it suitable for kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. Paddlers can explore quieter shoreline sections while staying alert for motorized boat traffic and seasonal changes in reservoir elevation.
Bank & Pier Fishing: SCDNR identifies two fishing-access locations on Lake Secession in addition to its public boat-ramp access. These provide opportunities for anglers who do not own a boat to enjoy the reservoir's productive warm-water fishery.
Community & Lake Life: Lake Secession has an active year-round residential community centered around the water. Friends of Lake Secession organizes community programs, meetings and seasonal events, while boating, fishing, dockside gatherings and scenic evenings on the reservoir remain central parts of local lake life.
Access, marinas & ramps
Highway 184 Boat Launch: The primary public boat access to Lake Secession is located along South Carolina Highway 184 near the upper reaches of the reservoir. SCDNR identifies this as Lake Secession's public boat-ramp location and lists one public boat ramp for the lake.
Boat Ramp & Parking: The Highway 184 access has historically been documented as a two-lane boat ramp with paved parking. The site gives anglers and recreational boaters direct access to the northern portion of Lake Secession and the Rocky River channel.
Fishing Access: SCDNR currently lists two fishing-access locations associated with Lake Secession. These complement the main boating access and provide additional opportunities for bank and shoreline anglers.
Jet's Landing: Located at 1147 Jets Landing Road in Abbeville, Jet's Landing serves the local lake community with boating supplies and conveniences. The location offers fuel-related and day-on-the-water supplies including drinks, ice and other boating essentials.
Midway Marine: Midway Marine in nearby Iva provides boat and motor repair, marine upholstery, boat detailing, rebuilding and re-carpeting services, along with used boat and motor sales. It is one of the established marine-service businesses serving Lake Secession residents and boat owners.
Private Docks: Much of Lake Secession's shoreline is residential, and private docks are common around the reservoir. Because the lake is owned and managed by the City of Abbeville, dock construction and shoreline projects are subject to City permitting and shoreline-management requirements.
Lake Levels: Lake Secession is operated according to a seasonal FERC rule curve. From April through June, the City targets elevations between approximately 547 and 548 feet to support fish spawning and aquatic resources, while a broader operating range is allowed during the remainder of the year.
Seasonal Drawdowns: Visitors and property owners should expect occasional lower water levels, particularly during fall and winter. The City of Abbeville may conduct drawdowns for dam maintenance, dock and seawall work, flood-management needs or other operational reasons, which can temporarily affect shoreline and launch conditions.
Safety & regulations
- Life Jackets: South Carolina requires a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable personal flotation device for every person aboard a vessel.
- Children: Children under 12 must wear an approved life jacket while aboard a vessel less than 16 feet long.
- Throwable Device: Boats 16 feet or longer must carry an approved throwable flotation device in addition to wearable PFDs.
- Boater Education: Boaters born after July 1, 2007 must complete an approved boater-education course before independently operating a boat, personal watercraft or specialty propcraft powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more, subject to statutory exceptions.
- Idle-Speed Zones: On Lake Secession, vessels and personal watercraft may not operate above idle speed within 100 feet of a wharf, dock, bulkhead or pier, or within 50 feet of a moored vessel or person in the water.
- Fishing License: Anglers must comply with current South Carolina freshwater fishing-license requirements and applicable exemptions.
- Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass harvested from Lake Secession must be at least 14 inches in total length under current lake-specific regulations.
- Jug Fishing: Jug fishing is permitted on Lake Secession under SCDNR rules. A permit is required when fishing 3 to 50 jugs, while up to two jugs may be used with a valid state fishing license without the additional jug permit.
- Water Levels: Because Lake Secession is an operating hydroelectric reservoir, boaters should check water levels and drawdown notices before launching, particularly during fall and winter.
Gallery
Nearby highlights & suggested day trips
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Historic Downtown Abbeville:
Downtown Abbeville is centered around its historic Court Square and features locally owned restaurants, shops, boutiques and preserved architecture. The community is one of the most historically distinctive small cities in western South Carolina.
It makes an easy cultural and dining day trip for visitors staying around Lake Secession.
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Abbeville Opera House:
The historic Abbeville Opera House stands on Court Square and remains an active performing-arts venue. It is recognized as South Carolina's Official State Theatre and has hosted live performances for more than a century.
A visit can be combined with shopping, dining and sightseeing throughout historic downtown Abbeville.
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Burt-Stark Mansion:
This Greek Revival home in Abbeville dates to the 1830s and is one of the area's most significant historic properties. The mansion is associated with the final Council of War meeting of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and members of his government.
The property offers visitors another look at the complex Civil War-era history connected with Abbeville.
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Trinity Episcopal Church:
Trinity Episcopal Church is a prominent Gothic Revival landmark in historic Abbeville. Constructed in the years immediately before the Civil War, its architecture and historic cemetery make it one of the city's recognizable landmarks.
It is located close to other downtown historic attractions and can easily be included on a walking tour.
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Calhoun Falls State Park:
Calhoun Falls State Park occupies approximately 318 acres along Lake Richard B. Russell. The park provides camping, fishing, boating, picnicking and a designated swimming area along a relatively undeveloped reservoir shoreline.
It is one of the best nearby destinations for adding hiking, camping or a public beach experience to a Lake Secession trip.
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Lake Richard B. Russell:
The lower end of Lake Secession lies near the backwaters of Lake Richard B. Russell, a large Savannah River reservoir extending along the South Carolina-Georgia border. Lake Russell is known for fishing, boating and long stretches of lightly developed shoreline.
Visitors can experience two very different reservoir environments within the same western South Carolina region.
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Cedar Bluff Nature Trail:
Located at Calhoun Falls State Park, the Cedar Bluff Nature Trail is approximately 1.75 miles long. The loop travels through mixed pine and hardwood forest and provides views of Lake Russell along rolling terrain.
It provides an easy-to-moderate hiking option for visitors looking to spend part of their lake trip on land.
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Broadway Lake:
Broadway Lake lies upstream from Lake Secession in the Rocky River watershed. Water leaving Broadway Lake eventually travels through the Rocky River system toward Lake Secession.
The smaller Anderson County lake provides boating, fishing and public park recreation and makes an interesting companion destination for visitors exploring the region's connected waterways.
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Iva, South Carolina:
Iva is one of the closest communities to the northern end of Lake Secession and serves as an important local service center for lake residents. The town and surrounding rural countryside reflect the agricultural and small-town character of the western South Carolina Piedmont.
Local roads from Iva provide convenient access to the Highway 184 portion of the lake and nearby marine services.
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Diamond Hill Mine:
Diamond Hill Mine is a well-known regional mineral-collecting attraction in Abbeville County. Visitors can search for naturally occurring quartz and other minerals found within the site's geological formations.
The attraction provides a distinctive land-based activity for families looking for something different from boating and fishing.
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Old 96 District:
Lake Secession lies within South Carolina's broader Old 96 District tourism region, which includes Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick and Edgefield counties. The region combines historic towns, lakes, state parks, scenic drives and outdoor recreation.
It provides numerous opportunities to extend a Lake Secession visit into a multi-day western South Carolina road trip.
Events & community
Friends of Lake Secession: Formerly known as the Lake Secession Rocky River Property Owners Association, Friends of Lake Secession works to strengthen the lake community and support improvements and beautification around the reservoir. The organization holds regular community meetings at the Lake Secession Community Center and publishes its Anchor Line newsletter to keep residents informed about lake activities and issues.
Lake Events & Community Traditions: Friends of Lake Secession supports community traditions including an Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza, holiday gatherings and activities at the Lake Secession Community Center. The organization's programs, together with the lake's popular crappie and bass fisheries, help maintain an active year-round recreational and residential community around the reservoir.
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