Fishing Creek Reservoir is a Catawba River impoundment in Chester and Lancaster counties, South Carolina, about nine miles southeast of Lancaster. Created in 1916 to power the Fishing Creek Hydroelectric Station (known locally as the Nitrolee Dam), it covers roughly 3,400 acres and is owned and operated by Duke Energy as part of the Catawba-Wateree hydroelectric system.

With about 85 miles of largely undeveloped shoreline, Fishing Creek is a run-of-the-river reservoir with limited storage, meaning it depends heavily on the natural flow of the Catawba River. Water depths reach roughly 100 feet near the dam, but the lake also holds many shallow areas and frequent floating debris, so boaters are advised to use caution. The river-influenced setting creates a mix of channel, flat, and cove habitat.

Fishing Creek Reservoir lives up to its name with a solid warmwater fishery for black crappie, striped bass, largemouth bass, bream, and catfish. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) manages the fishery, maintains fish attractors, and regularly stocks striped bass, while Duke Energy and SCDNR maintain public boat access areas on the reservoir.

Water levels on Fishing Creek Reservoir are managed by Duke Energy as part of the Catawba-Wateree chain and are reported against a relative gauge where 100.0 feet represents full pond. As a run-of-river lake with little storage, its level responds quickly to rainfall, upstream releases, and generation. Because operations are coordinated across the chain from Lake Wylie to Lake Wateree, monitoring current lake levels is important for boating safety and fishing.

Fishing Creek Reservoir Events