Lake York

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 1
Species: 4

Lake York is a 13,443-acre reservoir located on the border between South Carolina and North Carolina, created in 1904 and expanded in 1924. Originally named for Dr. W. Gil Wylie who organized the Catawba Power Company, this historic impoundment spans 7,316 acres in South Carolina with 227.86 miles of shoreline and reaches a maximum depth of approximately 94 feet. The lake serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, cooling water for Allen Steam Station and Catawba Nuclear Station, and providing municipal water supply for Rock Hill, SC and Belmont, NC. Duke Energy manages the lake in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, maintaining five public boat access areas and six fish attractors to support recreational fishing opportunities.

South Carolina licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Lake York and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Lake York. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

King's Mountain State Park Hand Launch

Boat Ramp

Know where you can legally fish on Lake York

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

South Carolina licenses and regulations

South Carolina Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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South Carolina Fishing License

Children under the age of 16 are not required to purchase a hunting or fishing license unless they are engaged in commercial activity or using any non-game fish devices (traps, trotlines, gill nets, hoop nets, set hooks, jugs.)

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South Carolina Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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South Carolina Stream Access Laws

In South Carolina, if a waterway can be floated and used as a public highway, it is navigable and open to recreational use up to the high water mark.

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Take Lake York with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Lake York to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake York to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.