Monticello Reservoir, also known locally as Lake Monticello, is a 7,000-acre impoundment located in Fairfield County, South Carolina, approximately 30 minutes north of Columbia. Created in 1978 as a cooling water and storage reservoir for the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, the lake also serves as part of the Fairfield Pumped Storage Facility operated by South Carolina Electric and Gas Company (SCE&G). This unique utility role creates some distinct characteristics that benefit anglers, including warmer winter water temperatures and a longer growing season that contributes to trophy-sized fish. The reservoir features nearly 50 miles of shoreline, with a maximum depth of approximately 89 feet. In addition to the main reservoir, there's a smaller 300-acre Recreational Lake that's separated by a dike and offers additional fishing opportunities.