If you are headed to the lake anytime soon, you need to know about the new law in South Carolina.

Gov. Henry McMaster signed the law on March 14 which establishes on most of South Carolina’s major reservoirs a new 100-foot distance limit that boats underway must observe when approaching a dock, a person in the water or an anchored vessel.

The new law, which doubles the previous distance of 50 feet, applies to the waters of Lake Greenwood, Lake Hartwell, Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee, Lake Marion, Lake Monticello, Lake Murray, Lake Robinson, Lake Russell, Lake Secession, Lake Thurmond, Lake Wateree, Fishing Creek Reservoir, Parr Reservoir, or the portion of the Savannah River from the Interstate 20 Savannah River Bridge to the New Savannah River Bluff Lock and Dam. The 100-foot distance limit does not apply to Lake Moultrie.

The new law also prohibits “wake surfing” on all South Carolina waters within 200 feet of a dock, a person in the water or an anchored watercraft. Wake surfing is defined in the new law as “a vessel that is ballasted in the stern so as to create a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by another person.”

Col. A. Chisolm Frampton, SCDNR deputy director for law enforcement, said: “This is a much-needed change that will increase boating safety for all South Carolina boaters.”

Courtesy https://www.wyff4.com

The 52nd Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk at Lake Hartwell drew a record 154,932 fans to Lake Hartwell and various event venues in Greenville, tournament owner B.A.S.S. announced March 6.

Jason Christie, of Park Hill, Oklahoma, won the three-day tournament with a total weight of 54 pounds — just five ounces better than second place finisher Kyle Welcher.

The win brings with it a $300,000 purse and puts Christie’s career B.A.S.S. earnings at about $1.7 million.

“Honestly, when I was sitting at the door waiting to come in and weigh my fish, I thought I had given it away again,” Christie, who has a pair of second-place finishes to his credit, told B.A.S.S senior writer Bryan Brasher. “I knew it was gonna be close. I honestly thought there could be a tie, and that was scary for me because I didn’t have any fish left.”

Top 3 finishers:

Jason Christie, Park Hill, Oklahoma ($300,000)

Kyle Welcher, Opelika, Alabama ($50,000)

Stetson Blaylock, Benton, Arkansas ($47,000)

Courtesy https://greenvillejournal.com/

On Saturday, February 26, 2022, Big Water Marina and Campground will host an annual polar bear plunge into Lake Hartwell to raise awareness and funds for the Anderson County Red Fez Shrine Club. The day will kick off at 9:00 AM with day-of registration & check-in for the polar bear plunge, and participants will plunge into Lake Hartwell at 10:00 AM. The event is open to the public. There will also be a raffle for a free half-day pontoon rental.