J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake

Recreation Areas - Hunting

Image of a deer

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
      • Russell Creek- 60 ac.
    • 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
      • Fishing Creek – 37 Acres
    • 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:

 


 

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. 

 

 
  • Please note other Corps land not identified above are available for hunting.  Access to these areas, however, may be limited and may be accessible by boat only.

CMU Special Posted Regulations:

  • Title 36 CFR- Rules and Regulations Governing Public Use of Corps Land Resources
  • Hunters must possess a valid hunting license and permits for the state in which they are hunting.
  • Private land hunting regulations apply, unless posted otherwise
  • Permit Required Activities
    • Hunting of Feral Hogs and Coyotes on CMU areas or other Corps land, outside of regular hunting seasons is authorized by permit. Please call 864-333-1159 to obtain a permit.  JST "Feral Hog Hunting Regulations"
    • Trapping on CMU areas or other Corps land is authorized by permit.  Please call 864-333-1159 to obtain a permit.
  • All Corps lease areas (i.e. quasi-public, marinas etc.), campgrounds and day use areas of the project are designated "no hunting areas". 
  • Baiting is prohibited on all CMU and existing Corps lands. Bait includes corn, wheat, other grains, salts, apples, and other feed that has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered so as to constitute a lure, attraction, or enticement to game animals or game birds.
  • Tree stands cannot be permanent (No tree spikes, nails, tower stands, etc.) and must be removed at seasons end.
  • Archery only areas exist on CMUs and other Corps land.  They are designated by signage and on maps available online.
  • **Bussey Point CMU**
    • No hunting of any kind, excepted for Special Hunts (See Special Hunt Section).
  • **Below Dam GA CMU**
    • No Quail hunting allowed. Deer, Small Game, Hog, and Dog Training are allowed.
  • A state WMA permit is not required to hunt CMU areas and other Corps lands but is required for hunting Georgia and South Carolina WMAs (leased lands) on Corps property.  Common boundary line between public and private property is marked with orange boundary paint.

Corps Management Unit Special Hunts:

  • Bussey Point Muzzleloader Hunt (Non-Quota)
    •  The Corps hosts 3 sets of (Friday & Saturday) muzzleloader deer hunts annually (October, November & December) at Bussey Point Corps Management Unit, located in Lincoln County, Georgia. The purposes of these hunts are to maintain the deer population within the carrying capacity, to provide opportunities for trophy deer, and to improve the quality of the herd. This 2,545-acre forested peninsula is managed through timber harvest, prescribed burning, and food plots.
    • All hunts are limited to 100 hunters per day. These hunts are non – quota hunts. Hunters will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters must check in at the check station located at the entrance gate. Hunting hours run from one hour before sunrise through one hour after sundown.
    • Hunters must be licensed in accordance with existing Georgia Game and Fish Regulations. A WMA license is not required for these hunts. Licenses will be inspected and collected along with vehicle tag number. Licenses will be returned at check out. Officials will strictly enforce all state regulations and bag limits.
    • Archery and muzzleloader are the only firearms allowed and dates are TBA via news release on the web page. The bag limit/antler restrictions are TBA via news release on the web page. A news release covering dates and additional information will released in July of each year.