South Carolina Cancels Turkey Lottery Hunts, Closes State Lakes Fishing Access
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has canceled all 2020 turkey lottery hunts on Wildlife Management Area properties. Also, the Department’s State Lakes have been closed. Both closures are in response to the Executive Order issued by Governor Henry McMaster relating to COVID-19.
SCDNR’s State Lakes offer fishing access to the public in areas where public fishing is often not easily available. According to a press conference held by the governor, all public fishing areas, beaches, rivers, lakes, other waterways and recreation areas are being closed to prevent continued public gatherings in those areas. A list and map of the 16 lakes is available at: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/lakes/state/index.html.
Ross Self, SCDNR’s chief of freshwater fisheries, said the State Lakes will be closed for the duration of Governor McMaster's Executive Order. SCDNR staff are currently in the process of posting closed signs on the properties, according to Self.
“We are sorry about this,” said Self. “We hope the situation moderates soon so that we can reopen these lakes for public fishing again.”
Turkey hunts on the Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge hunts will remain open unless a stay at home order is declared.
