Fish Club Regulations

The 2024 membership period runs from March 18 through December 15. Access is open seven days a week, unless otherwise noted. Updated information will be posted on the website.

Anglers will be assigned to one of 4 primary groups. All groups have access each day. In the unlikely event traffic on the ponds becomes too great, the color-coded groups will be used to assign dates and times for access. Information regarding where and when you may fish will be provided on our website.

Members will be provided with a color-coded picture ID card and vehicle display placard. They must be plainly visible when on site. Lost ID cards and vehicle placards will be replaced at a fee of $10.00 each. Children under 18 will be provided membership cards without names or photos.

Catch and release is allowed but not required. Anglers should determine if the fish is too injured to successfully release.

Individual Membership $125.00

Family Membership $200.00**

Senior Membership $100.00 (65 and older)

Single-day guest pass $ 5.50* (must be accompanied by a member)

Boat launch fee $ 5.50* (to be used by members only)

* Guest passes and boat launch permits are purchased online from the Sandhill Fish Club page. Passes are single-use per purchase.

** Family membership includes parents and their children under the age of 21 residing at the residence. Other resident relatives or guests will require individual memberships or guest passes.

Applicants will need to complete an online membership application and execute/agree to the liability release form for each person and/or family member. Guests may also have to sign a liability release form prior to using the property.

1. All fishing on Clemson Sandhill REC waters shall be in accordance with the fishing laws of South Carolina. These regulations are designed for use in combination with the South Carolina regulations and anglers should be thoroughly familiar with both. This document repeats some South Carolina regulations, but primarily places additional restrictions on fishing Clemson Sandhill REC waters. A state-issued fishing license is required.
2. Members wishing to fish must check the website for a listing of what waters and areas are open and what group is allowed access based on the date and time. Anglers may be asked to sign in when arriving on property and sign out when leaving. If required procedures will be provided. Night fishing is not permitted except as may be specifically noted.
   • A member vehicle identification card will be issued along with your photo identification card. The vehicle card must be displayed in your windshield and the photo ID must be worn in a visible manner at all times while on property.
   • Family members under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or responsible individual with authorized fishing privileges. An individual must be 18 years of age or older to sponsor a guest.
   • Fishing locations will be identified in detail and anglers should not stray from these designated areas.
3. Boating on Sandhill REC waters is allowed only for members of the fishing club and subject to strict criteria.
   • Rowboats, canoes, and other small boats with no artificial power source other than an electric motor are authorized on ponds and lakes designated as open for fishing.
   • Boats must be launched from specified areas. Boats must be carried from their trailer to the water. The large lake can host a maximum of 7 boats at one time. The small pond to the left of the Lake House can host 3 boats. Boats are not permitted on the pond located between the Lake House and the Clemson REC office building. Launch permits are sold on a first come, first served basis and must be in the boater’s possession when on the water.
   • All persons occupying a boat on Clemson Sandhill REC must wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device at all times.
4. The following is prohibited on Clemson Sandhill REC:
   • Releasing any species of fish into a Clemson Sandhill REC pond that was not caught in said pond
   • Individuals baiting or chumming fish in any manner
   • Taking any species of fish by the use of firearms, seines or other nets, snares, explosives, electrical apparatus, fish traps or fish baskets
   • Taking bullfrogs
   • Night fishing except as specifically noted
   • Selling, offering to sell, buying, or offering to buy any fish caught on property
   • Adding or removing boards or tampering with water level control structures in any way
   • Fishing in unauthorized areas or waters
   • Firearms
   • Fishing with more than two active lines per authorized angler
   • Cleaning fish on-site
   • Stringers or other devices that maintain your catch in the lake or ponds
   • Leaving trash/garbage/refuse/etc. or depositing said in the water
   • Feeding of the alligators
   • Alcoholic beverages, illegal substances
   • Attire not in keeping with an open family environment
   • Parking in unauthorized areas

5. Creel Limits. The daily creel limit is:

   • Bass - eight (8) per person

   • Bream - eight (8) per person

   • Crappie - eight (8) per person

   • Catfish - eight (8) per person

6. Size Limits. There are no size limit restrictions on fish harvested other than those defined in the South Carolina Hunting and Freshwater Fishing Rules and Regulations.

7. Devices. Fish may be caught with hook and line, fly rod, casting rod, pole and line, or hand line only. Set hook, jug fishing, trotlines, bow and arrow, spears, gigs, nets, seines, tires, traps, and other similar devices are prohibited. Crickets and worms are the only live bait allowed.

The Clemson Sandhill REC Director may suspend or revoke privileges. A suspension will become final unless appealed within ten days. Notification of suspension will be provided electronically and in writing. A listing of violations and their associated penalties are found on the following page.

When appealing a decision or penalty address your concerns to:

Director, Special Projects
Clemson Sandhill REC
900 Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229

Fishing Violations and Penalties

Boating Violations and Penalties

The Clemson Sandhill REC provides a natural setting. Most of our roads are dirt or gravel lined and provided a sometimes uneven surface. Motorists should remain aware of the terrain and operate at minimum speeds. While there are speed limit signs posted it is best when operating on dirt roads to avoid creating a dust trail and to slow below the posted speeds when pedestrians are present. Always start and stop your vehicle slowly so as not to disturb the natural surface. Avoid noticeably wet areas.

Parking for access to the large lake near is located at the bottom of the paved road that leads to the dam. Park in the open area on the right-hand side just prior to the dam.

Parking for the two ponds near the Lake House is on the left-hand side of the road leading to the Lake House. Do not park past the raised break at the bottom of that road.

You may not be able to back trailers into the water to launch your boat. You may drive as close to the dam as possible to unload your boat. After unloading park your vehicle as previously noted. After unloading park your vehicle as previously noted. Both waters permitting boats will have the approved launch areas clearly defined. Use these only areas for access.

Be aware that all waters may not be open to fishing each day. Remember to check the website for when and which body of water you can fish. The areas that you may fish from on each lake or pond are as follows.

Large Lake (L1) Anywhere along the dam and at various designated clearings surrounding the lake. Maps are available online.

Pond between the Lake House and office building (P1) Below the road near the Lake House and along the dam. Do not fish the area near the office building.

Pond near the Lake House (P2) Below the road near the Lake House and at various designated clearings surrounding the pond. Maps are available online.

The Fish Club page of the website has a link to the Sandhill Fish Club calendar. With the increase and planned increase of agricultural activity on site, various waters, particularly the lake, will be closed to access during various periods. Make sure to check the calendar when planning your visit.

Fishing the waters of the Clemson Sandhill REC is a privilege purchased by the membership. On occasion, you may encounter non-members engaged in fishing. In that all members are required to wear their identification card or membership pass in a visible manner, non-members should be easily identified.

If you are not comfortable in speaking to the individual or individuals you can report the activity to our main office by calling 803-788-5700. The office is closed during non-business hours, weekends and holidays.

In addition to non-members accessing the property to fish occasionally members may be on-site during the wrong period or there may be too many boaters on the water. You may also report these incidents or any other areas of concern to the number listed above.

If you have non-urgent comments, observations or concerns you may email shrec@clemson.edu. Should you notice activity you believe to be illegal, dangerous or life-threatening please call the Richland County Sheriff’s Department or other appropriate emergency service provider by dialing 911.

Passes and permits may be purchased electronically using your credit card at any time. They are good for single use. Passes are not available at the main office. Again this year, season-long boat passes will be available for $100.00 and those must be purchased from the club director. Passes and permits must be displayed or available when in use. The director receives an electronic notice of all passes purchased online for confirmation purposes as well as monitoring.