So I’m down at Edisto for the week and figured I’d go do some fishing at botany bay plantation. Walked out to the beach to try the “skeleton forest” but the wind was howling and the tide was out so I thought I’d just go fish the lake. So I get there and find out it’s a youth only lake. The only way you can fish it is if you are with someone under the age of 17 only on Fri, Sat and Sun. WTF!!! I walk around the lake and reds are tailing in several places, there is not a single soul out there and I can’t fish it because I’m 25 years old. What is the reasoning or logic behind that? I’m a taxpaying resident of Edisto Island and because I don’t have any kids yet or know anyone younger than 17, I can’t enjoy this beautiful newly public lake maintained by my tax dollars. Somebody please enlighten me to this logic, and don’t say overfishing because it is catch and release only.
They also don’t allow any fishing from the shore except the beach.
ps. anybody have a kid I can borrow for an afternoon?
Yeah, it wouldn’t be the first place I would want to fish, but I had an hour or two to kill and it would have been a good way to mess around for a little while since the weather is less than stellar. It just seems a little ridiculous to restrict it like they have.
Hey Fellas,
we’re heading heading down friday, mainly to do some chores, clean up, etc
But my son has been bugging me to catch his first Red, this lake sounds like the ticket (he’s 5). I’ve been on the property , but not sure about this lake. I’m assuming we need to walk down to the left from where you park??? Thanks
Sorry, I wasn’t real clear when I asked my question. Is the lake the one to left of SC 174 as you go to Edisto Beach? From google, it looks like the name of the road that goes to it is named Westcoast Road. Is this the lake?
Yellowdog- you’re looking at the right one- you take Botany Bay Rd off to the left from 174 and follow all the way down to the end- entrance to the plantation will be on the left. There is a person at the gate that can tell you how to get to the lake from there.
quote:there is not a single soul out there and I can't fish it
So nobody out there and you can’t fish. Why not. The worst thing is someone could come up to your and tell you to leave.
There are “volunteers” out there watching the place as well as a number of DNR officers who I’m sure would be stumbling over themselves to “lighten my wallet” for disobeying their rules.
As the father of 2 boys, 12 and 9, I applaud DNR and Botany Bay for creating the child-friendly rules. I brought my kids there yesterday evening and they had a blast. A place like that is great for getting the kids “hooked” on fishing and instilling conservation values in them. Just another opinion. There are plenty of other places for adults to catch fish in this area.
I agree with optiker and I do not think DNR gets that much of our tax dollars for funding. Most all comes from tax donations, regular donations, and licensing fees and fines. I think it is the only state regulated business that gets zero funding from the state. I heard that on the DNR ETV radio show that comes on the first wednesday of each month at noon. Mike Willis is the host.
I agree with optiker and I do not think DNR gets that much of our tax dollars for funding. Most all comes from tax donations, regular donations, and licensing fees and fines. I think it is the only state regulated business that gets zero funding from the state. I heard that on the DNR ETV radio show that comes on the first wednesday of each month at noon. Mike Willis is the host.
Along those lines, I’ve never really understood people complaining about paying $10 for a fishing license.
Just trying to learn every bit I can about saltwater fishing…
The SC legislature dictates each hunting season and fish limits. DNR just enforces the rules set by ours SC senators and house of representatives. If you want something to change contact your representative. Everyone that I have contacted by email or letter did respond to me. That does make me feel like they care.
