South Carolina
Saluda River below Lake Murray Dam near Columbia
Current River Rating
Fair · 64
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Monday, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1060 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.28 ft
- Water Temperature
- 58.6 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 6, 2026, 8:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 02168504 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
73°F
Feels like
79°F
Wind
4 mph N
Wind gust
6 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 6, 2026, 5:00 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.04 in
Last 48 hours
0.04 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sun 6 AM
Clear
Temp 72°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sun 10 AM
Clear
Temp 82°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sun 2 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 94°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sun 6 PM
Clear
Temp 95°F
Chance 23%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sun 10 PM
Overcast
Temp 81°F
Chance 45%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Mon 2 AM
Overcast
Temp 75°F
Chance 25%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 96°F / Low 71°F
Chance 51%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 85°F / Low 73°F
Chance 35%
Precip 0.02 in
Max gust 16 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Drizzle
High 90°F / Low 68°F
Chance 17%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Wed, Sep 9
Overcast
High 92°F / Low 70°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Saluda River below Lake Murray Dam near Columbia, South Carolina. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Saluda River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The Lower Saluda below Lake Murray Dam is South Carolina's flagship put-grow-and-take trout tailwater. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 02168504 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from Lake Murray reservoir 02168500 and from Saluda near Columbia 02169000. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
SCDNR Lower Saluda rainbow trout. USGS 02168504. Distinct from Lake Murray 02168500.
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
SCDNR Lower Saluda brown trout, including holdovers.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Warmwater overlap as the tailwater warms downstream. Not a reason to use 02169000.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Hypolimnetic Saluda Hydro tailwater in Lexington County, a coldwater trout reach distinct from Lake Murray and from the Congaree confluence.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by SCDNR on the Lower Saluda, including the catch-and-release zone. Catalog coordinates are USGS 02168504. Do not imply unrestricted private bank access.
Stocking information
SCDNR stocks rainbow and brown trout in the Lower Saluda. Confirm current official notices. Stocking and holdover trout are fishery context, not condition ratings.
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Official sources
SCDNR Lower Saluda trout and catch-and-release rules change by reach. Distinct from Lake Murray 02168500 and Saluda Columbia 02169000. Confirm current SCDNR regulations.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Lexington, South Carolina
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Lexington
Management Category
Inland trout tailwater
Regulation Scope
Saluda River below Lake Murray Dam near Columbia
Regulation Summary
Saluda below Lake Murray Dam: SCDNR inland trout-tailwater rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout, smallmouth-bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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