Fishing to return Upstate lake for the first time in over 70 years

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A Spartanburg fishing spot is opening back up as Duncan Park Lake will allow catch and release fishing for the first time in decades on Thursday.

“It has been over sixty years since anyone has been allowed to fish on this lake,” Sophi Schwartzbauer with Play. Advocate. Live Well said.

When recreational fisherman Mike Griggs heard the news, he decided to scope out the waters ahead of opening day.

“(It) haven’t been fished since 1952 and I thought there must be some big fish in there, so I came to see what it was all about,” Griggs said.

Officials with PAL said the lake is full of fish.

“Luckily we already had a lot of Largemouth Bass but it has been stock with Redear, and in the fall we are going to have a lot of Bluegill as well,” Schwartzbauer said.

Recreational boating is also returning to the lake for non-motorized boats.

“We have a new kayak kiosk which will be open on Thursday so anyone can come and rent a boat at the lake,” Schwartzbauer added.

The available activities are a match made in heaven for Griggs.

“I fish out of a kayak and it’s going to be kayak fishing on non-motorized so I thought this could be an interesting place to fish,” Griggs said.

PAL said the return of these recreational activities has been a community effort.

“PAL, the City of Spartanburg and the National Trail Service, we all came together and created a steering committee as well and said what can we do to breathe life back into this park and this was a huge milestone for that, for this project,” Schwartzbauer said.

It is also something people in the community have requested.

“The public have really been communicating that they want to see it,” Schwartzbauer said.
“I think just the ability to escape the city, we are only a few minutes away from downtown Spartanburg, to have this so close to all the action, to be able to escape the hustle and bustle and get out on a boat or just do some fishing, it feels really wholesome.”

We’re told swimming will not be allowed and non-motorized boaters will be required to wear life jackets and whistles as a safety precaution.

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