General Hunting Information:
The J. Strom Thurmond Lake Project offers a wide array of hunting opportunities across approximately 58,000 acres of public land in Georgia and South Carolina. Beautiful hardwood bottoms and upland pine provide hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, small game, hog, quail, and waterfowl. The Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Georgia and South Carolina Departments of Natural Resources cooperatively manage timber and wildlife resources at Thurmond Lake through timber harvests, prescribed burning and food plots. The Corps leases 24,508 acres of land and water to the State of Georgia and 10,484 acres of land and water to the State of South Carolina as Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Additionally, the Corps of Engineers manages 16,716 acres in Georgia and 6,033 acres in South Carolina as Corps Management Units (CMU). The opportunity and acreage for hunting are abundant at Thurmond Lake, so enjoy your lake and surrounding lands, be safe, and always follow all Federal and state hunting rules and regulations.
Corps Leased State Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Lands:
- South Carolina
- Dove Fields
- Parksville – 22 ac.
- Plum Branch – 30 ac.
- Bordeaux – 40 ac.
- Waterfowl Areas
- Other specified Hunting Areas
- McCormick County – Unnamed WMA Lands – 9,934 Acres Land & 313 Acres Water
- Abbeville County – Unnamed WMA Lands – 50 Acres
- Georgia
- Dove Fields
- Clarks Hill Fields – 24 Acres
- Lower Broad River Fields – 15 Acres
- Waterfowl Areas
- Other specified Hunting Areas
- Clarks Hill WMA – 12,395 Acres Land & 4,170 Acres Water
- Fishing Creek WMA – 2,058 Acres Land
- Germany Creek WMA – 1,117 Acres Land & 284 Acres Water
- Keg Creek WMA – 893 Acres Land
- Lower Broad River WMA – 1,342 Acres Land
- Soap Creek WMA – 1165 Acres Land
|
|

WMA Special Rules/Regulations:
- Wildlife Management Area hunting regulations
- A state Wildlife Management Area permit is required to hunt WMA at J. Strom Thurmond Lake. These lands are designated with signage and orange paint.
- Maps of State WMAs can be found in the link below.
|
|
Corps Hunting Area Maps
Listed below are Corps of Engineers managed hunting areas. For maps of individual areas, select the "Area Name."
Maps of US Army Corps of Engineers hunting locations at Thurmond lake are only available on this website or through our new Hunting App Link. No printed maps are available at the Thurmond Lake Visitor Center.
McCormick County, South Carolina
Area Name |
No. Acres |
Directions |
Hwy 221 Below Dam SC CMU |
455 |
From the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 28, go south on Hwy 221 approximately 0.2 miles. Turn left at second dirt road. The parking area is just off the highway. Look for the sign under the power line. The area may also be accessed from the Below Dam, SC boat ramp area. |
Catfish Peninsula CMU |
1286 |
Access 1: From Parksville, SC, go north on Hwy 221 approximately 0.5 miles. Look for the wide paved shoulder on the left side of the road. Turn left on single lane gravel road. The parking area is approximately 0.5 miles off of Hwy 221.
Access 2: From Parksville, SC, go north on Hwy 221 approximately 1.2 miles and turn left on Dordon Creek Road (follow the signs). Turn left on the first paved road. After the pavement ends, follow the gravel road 0.4 miles to the parking area. |
Dordon Creek CMU |
1524 |
Access 1: From Parksville, SC, go north on Hwy 221 approximately 3.3 miles. Turn left on State Road 69, Serpentine Drive (road to SC National Guard Training Site) and go approximately 1.7 miles. Turn left on single lane gravel road. The parking area is approximately 0.2 miles off the paved road.
Access 2: From Parksville, SC, go north on Hwy 221 approximately 3.8 miles and turn left on Pine Grove Church Road and continue to the end, 1.4 miles.
|
Hawe Creek CMU |
1516 |
From McCormick, SC, take Hwy 378 towards Lincolnton, GA. A portion of the tract may be accessed from Hwy 378 at the Little River Bridge. The remainder of the tract may be accessed from State Road 124, Chamberlain Ferry Road |
Modoc CMU |
|
From the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 28, go north on Hwy 221 approximately 2.1 miles. Turn left on dirt road at Grace United Methodist lease area sign. Parking area is approximately 0.2 miles from the highway. |
Modoc Shores CMU |
575 |
From the intersect of Hwy 221 and Hwy 28 go north on Hwy 221 approximately 3.4 mile turn left on Confederate Drive. Parking is approximately 0.6 miles on the right. |
Scotts Ferry CMU |
653 |
Project lands northwest of the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 28, Clarks Hill, SC. The area may be accessed from the Scott’s Ferry boat ramp located approximately 1.2 miles north of the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 28. Turn left at the Scotts Ferry boat ramp sign. |
|
|
Columbia County, Georgia
Area Name |
CMU Acreage |
Directions |
Below Dam GA Quail Demonstration Area CMU
|
335
|
From J. Strom Thurmond Dam in Columbia County, GA, take Hwy 221 south 0.5 miles. The parking area is on the left. This area is managed in partnership with Quail Unlimited, Inc. to help restore bobwhite quail to the region. NO QUAIL HUNTING
|
Lake Springs CMU
|
240
|
From J. Strom Thurmond Dam in Columbia County, GA, take Hwy 221 south 2.3 miles. Turn right on Lake Springs Road and go 0.2 miles. Turn left on Augusta Boat Club Road. Go 0.1 mile and turn left just before the boat club gate.
|
Ridge Road West CMU
|
620
|
From the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 104 in Columbia County, GA, go north 3.9 miles on Hwy 104 and turn left on Ridge Road. Pavement will end. Follow main gravel road to parking area. Mistletoe State Park area is off limits to hunting.
|
|
|
Columbia County & McDuffie County, Georgia
Area Name |
CMU Acreage |
Directions |
Rosseau Creek CMU |
556 |
From Pollards Corner in Columbia County, GA, take Hwy 150 west 10 miles. Turn right on Rousseau Creek Road. Go north 5 miles. The hunting area is before the subdivision. |
|
|
Lincoln County, Georgia
Area Name |
CMU Acreage |
Directions |
Arimathea CMU |
192 |
Only accessible by boat |
Bethany Church CMU |
580 |
Limited road access. Best accessed by boat. |
Bussey Point CMU |
2,550 |
Scheduled hunts only. Contact the Thurmond Project Visitor Center for more information. From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, GA, go north 1.8 miles and turn right on Ashmore-Barden Road. Go 3 miles to stop sign and turn right on Double Branches Road (Hwy 220 Spur). Go 3 miles until pavement ends. Continue straight on dirt road 0.5 miles to check station and parking area. |
Cherokee Creek CMU |
555 |
Tract 1: From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, GA, go north 1.8 miles and turn right on Ashmore-Barden Road. Go 1.2 miles and turn left on a woods road. Another parking area is just across Cherokee Creek bridge on the left.
Tract 2: From Ashmore-Barden Road, turn right on Bass Road, go 0.5 miles and turn left on Price Reese Road. Go 0.25 miles to the hunting area.
Tract 3: Only accessible by boat
|
Cherokee Quarry CMU |
105 |
From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, GA, go north .5 miles entrance on left. |
Dozier Branch CMU |
595 |
Tract 1: From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, GA, go north 5.1 miles to the intersection of Hwy 220. Go left on Hwy 220 approximately 3.6 miles and turn left on Mt. Zion Church Road. Go 0.7 miles. The entrance to the parking area will be on the left. This tract may also be accessed from the Leathersville boat ramp area at the end of White Rock Road off of Hwy 220. |
Dry Fork Creek CMU |
580 |
Very limited road access. Best accessed by boat. |
Fishing Creek CMU |
130 |
From the intersection of Hwy 378 and Hwy 79, take Hwy 79 north, 11 miles. Turn right on Graball Road. Go 3.15 miles and turn right on to Hester's Ferry Rd., continue straight for 1.17 and make a slite right. Follow to the end, .55 miles. |
Gresham Park CMU |
182 |
From Hwy 43 or Hwy 220, take Amity - Woodlawn to the intersection of Amity-Woodlawn Rd. and Clay Hill Rd., take Clay Hill Rd. Travel approximately 2.00 mile to Gresham Park Rd. on the right. Follow Gresham Park Rd. 1.15 miles to area. |
Greys Creek CMU |
775 |
Tract 1: From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, GA, go north 0.6 miles and turn left on Trulock Road. Go 0.7 miles and turn right on Poplar Drive. Follow Poplar Drive approximately 0.1 mile to parking area. This tract may also be accessed from the Leathersville boat ramp area at the end of White Rock Road off of Hwy 220. |
Hester's Ferry CMU |
345 |
From the intersection of Hwy 378 and Hwy 79, take Hwy 79 north, 11 miles. Turn right on Graball Road. Go 2.7 miles and turn left at the “T” intersection, and continue straight to the end, 1.6 miles. |
Lloyd Creek CMU |
1,80 |
From the Hwy 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, GA, go north 5.1 miles to the intersection of Hwy 220. Go left on Hwy 220 approximately 6.2 miles. Cross Lloyd Creek bridge. The entrance to the parking area will be on the left. This tract may also be accessed from Clay Hill Road and Salem Church Road. |
Mill Creek CMU |
735 |
From the intersection of Hwy 378 and Hwy 79 in Lincoln County, GA, take Hwy 79 north, 6 miles. The tract adjoins Hwy 79. Best accessed by boat. |
Murry Creek CMU |
1,705 |
From the intersection of Hwy 378 and Hwy 79, take Hwy 79 north, 6.5 miles. Turn right on Murry Creek Road. Take a right at the fork to access the southern portion of the area. Take a left to access the northern portion. |
Newford Creek CMU |
893 |
Tract 1: From the intersection of Hwy 378 and Hwy 79, take Hwy 79 north 12.8 miles. The entrance to the parking area is on the left.
Tract 2: Limited road access. Best accessed by boat.
|
Pistol Creek CMU |
1,235 |
From the intersection of Hwy 378 and Hwy 79, take Hwy 79 north, 14.5 miles. Turn right on Lisbon Road and continue to the end, 3 miles. The tract may also be accessed off of Hwy 79. |
Shriver Creek CMU |
1,330 |
Access 1: From the intersection of Hwy 47 and Hwy 220 in Lincoln County, GA, go east on Hwy 220 1.9 miles to a stop sign. Go straight onto Maxim Road for 2.4 miles and turn right on Nethania Farm Road. Follow the gravel road for 0.5 miles to “T” intersection and turn left. The parking area is at the end of the road, 0.5 miles.
Access 2: The area may also be accessed via Holloway Landing Road off of Double Branches Road (Hwy 220 Spur).
|
Soap Creek CMU |
216 |
Both tracts adjoin Hwy 378 in Lincoln County, GA at the Soap Creek Bridge. |
Wells Creek CMU |
765 |
Limited road access. Best accessed by boat. |
|
|
Elbert County, Georgia
Area Name |
CMU Acreage |
Directions |
Coody Creek CMU |
435 |
From the intersection of Hwy72 and Hwy 79, take Hwy 79 south, 6 miles. Turn left on Brad Dixon Rd. Go 1 mile. The hunting area is on the right. Best access is by boat |
Morrahs CMU |
207 |
From town of Calhoun Falls take Hwy 72 west 4 miles turn left on Bobby Brown State Park Rd. Go 5.8 miles to Morrahs Ramp (COE) sign and turn left on the entrance road for the ramp proceed to ramp parking area. Best access for this tract is by boat. |
|
|