Eastatoe Creek Fishing Access: Dug Mountain, Hemlock Hollow & Where to Fish

I went to Eastatoe Creek to hike to a suspension bridge. I came back thinking just as much about the fishing.

My daughter and I started our hike at the Dug Mountain Angler Access Area on Roy F. Jones Road and followed the Eastatoe Passage alongside the creek. Along the way, we passed pool after pool that looked like exactly the kind of water I would want to explore with a fishing rod. Later, after crossing the suspension bridge and trying to figure out where the trail went, we accidentally discovered another access point at Hemlock Hollow.

That wrong turn showed me something I hadn’t fully appreciated before this hike. Eastatoe Creek is not just something you see from a bridge or pass on the way to another destination. You can reach the water in multiple ways, with established angler access, a hiking trail along portions of the creek, and plenty of opportunities to explore one of Pickens County’s best-known trout streams.

If you are looking for more places like this, start with our 7 easy-access trout fishing spots in Upstate South Carolina or our larger Upstate South Carolina fishing guide. This article takes a much closer look at Eastatoe Creek itself and the two access areas I encountered during our hike.

First, Make Sure You Are Looking at the Right Eastatoe

The names in this part of Pickens County can get confusing quickly. Eastatoe Creek, Little Eastatoe Creek, the Eastatoe Passage, Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve, and other nearby places all use variations of the same name, but they are not interchangeable.

This article is about Eastatoe Creek in the Jocassee Gorges area, particularly the water around Dug Mountain Angler Access and Hemlock Hollow. This is also the creek followed by part of the Eastatoe Passage of the Palmetto Trail.

Little Eastatoe Creek is a different stream. You’ll encounter it at places like Long Shoals along Highway 11. If that is the area you are looking for, our family guide to trout fishing near Upstate South Carolina includes information about Little Eastatoe Creek and Long Shoals.

How I Discovered Both Eastatoe Creek Access Points

We were not actually fishing on this trip. We were hiking the Eastatoe Passage to see the suspension bridge, which turned out to be well worth the trip.

We started at Dug Mountain Angler Access, followed the trail beside Eastatoe Creek, and eventually reached the suspension bridge. The creek was one of the things that made the hike so enjoyable. We saw the water repeatedly, and the trail brought us close enough in several places to really look at the pools, rocks, and current.

After crossing the bridge, however, we became confused about which direction to go. We explored one direction, turned around, and eventually followed a gravel route uphill. That brought us to a road and a sign identifying the area as Hemlock Hollow Angler Access.

We had essentially stumbled onto another way anglers can reach this section of Eastatoe Creek.

For the complete hiking experience, including the suspension bridge and the point where our navigation became confusing, see our Eastatoe Passage Trail to the Suspension Bridge guide.

Dug Mountain Angler Access

Dug Mountain is the access point I would start with if I were visiting Eastatoe Creek for the first time.

The parking area is on Roy F. Jones Road north of Highway 11. It provides direct access to Eastatoe Creek and the eastern trailhead for the Eastatoe Passage. You don’t have to commit to a long hike to reach the water.

One of the most useful features here is the developed fishing access near the creek. The area has a barrier-free fishing structure built through a partnership involving the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Duke Energy, and Trout Unlimited. The project also improved public parking and river access.

From the parking area, you can also follow the Eastatoe Passage downstream. The trail stays near the creek for portions of the hike and eventually reaches the first suspension bridge. Even if you are primarily coming to fish, the trail gives you an opportunity to explore beyond the immediate parking area.

Dug Mountain Angler Access: What to Know

Dug Mountain Angler Access is located on Roy F. Jones Road off Highway 11 near Sunset. The Eastatoe Passage trailhead is beside the parking area, so this access works for both anglers and hikers.

The creek is immediately accessible around the developed area, and the trail provides opportunities to explore farther along Eastatoe Creek. If you continue hiking, the first suspension bridge is roughly three-quarters of a mile from the parking area.

This is the access point I would choose for someone who wants to see Eastatoe Creek without first figuring out a complicated backcountry route.

The Fishing Access at Dug Mountain Is More Than a Dirt Path

Dug Mountain deserves a little extra attention because the site was improved with accessibility in mind.

The barrier-free fishing structure extends over the edge of the creek and was designed to provide anglers with mobility challenges an opportunity to fish Eastatoe Creek. In mountain terrain where steep banks, rocks, and roots can make fishing access difficult, that is an important feature.

That does not mean every part of Eastatoe Creek is accessible. Once you leave the developed access area and follow natural trails along the creek, expect typical mountain terrain. Still, having an established fishing area this close to the water makes Dug Mountain stand out among many of the trout streams in the Upstate.

We cover the difference between easy access and truly accessible fishing in our guide to easy-access trout fishing spots in the Upstate.

Hemlock Hollow Angler Access

Hemlock Hollow was the access point I didn’t expect to find.

We reached it from the creek side while exploring beyond the suspension bridge. After returning from one wrong turn, we followed a gravel route uphill until we reached a road and the Hemlock Hollow Angler Access sign.

For me, seeing that sign helped put the area into perspective. What had looked like one hiking trail beside a creek was actually part of a larger network of fishing access, trails, and routes through the Eastatoe Creek corridor.

Hemlock Hollow offers another way to access the creek and can be useful for anglers looking to explore beyond the immediate Dug Mountain area. The terrain around it also makes it clear why I recommend checking a map before heading out, rather than assuming every road or trail will conveniently return you to where you parked.

Hemlock Hollow: What We Found

We discovered Hemlock Hollow from the Eastatoe Passage side rather than driving there first. After crossing the suspension bridge and exploring beyond it, we eventually followed a gravel route uphill to the signed angler access area.

The important lesson from our experience is that there are multiple ways into this creek corridor. If you are coming specifically to fish, know which access point you intend to use before leaving home and download your map ahead of time.

Cell service should never be the only navigation plan in mountain areas like this.

There Is a Lot of Fishable-Looking Water Between the Access Points

I cannot tell you which pool will produce a trout on a particular morning, and I would be suspicious of anyone who promises that. What I can tell you from walking beside Eastatoe Creek is that there is a lot of interesting water to explore.

We saw deeper pools, rocky runs, current moving around fallen trees, calmer pockets near the banks, and stretches shaded by a thick forest canopy. There were also numerous places where the creek could be reached from the trail without descending an enormous mountainside.

That variety is part of what makes the creek appealing. An angler does not necessarily have to stand in one place beside the parking lot. The trail creates opportunities to walk, watch the water, and find a section that suits how you want to fish.

At the same time, easy access to a trail does not mean every foot of the creek bank is safe or publicly accessible for fishing. Stay within established public areas, respect posted boundaries, and avoid creating new paths down steep or eroding banks.

Eastatoe Creek Is Trout Water

Eastatoe Creek is one of the established trout waters in this part of South Carolina. Rainbow, brown, and brook trout have all been stocked in the Eastatoe system, and the creek has long been popular with Upstate trout anglers.

That makes it a natural addition to our larger collection of Upstate South Carolina fishing guides. It also gives anglers another option beyond some of the better-known waters around the Chattooga and Chauga rivers.

If you are just getting started and want to understand the larger picture before choosing a stream, read our Ultimate Fishing Guide to the Upstate Mountains of South Carolina. If trout are specifically your goal, our family guide to Upstate trout fishing covers additional streams and destinations.

Pay Attention to Eastatoe Creek’s Special Trout Regulations

This is the section I would read before putting a lure in the water.

Eastatoe Creek has special seasonal trout regulations. From November 1 through May 14, the section from the backwaters of Lake Keowee upstream to Roy Jones Road is managed as catch-and-release trout water. During that same period, anglers may use only single-hook artificial lures.

That means you should not assume that the tackle or bait you normally use for trout is legal here simply because it is legal on another South Carolina stream.

Fishing regulations can change, so always verify the current rules with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources before fishing.

Eastatoe Creek Delayed Harvest Rules

From November 1 through May 14, trout in the regulated section of Eastatoe Creek must be released. Anglers are also restricted to single-hook artificial lures during this period.

The regulated section extends from the Lake Keowee backwaters upstream to Roy Jones Road in Pickens County.

Do not rely on this article alone before fishing. Regulations, boundaries and licensing requirements can change. Check the current SCDNR fishing regulations before every trip.

Do You Have to Fly Fish Eastatoe Creek?

No. Trout fishing and fly fishing are not the same thing.

You can use a spinning rod for trout where regulations allow the lure and tackle you use. The important issue on Eastatoe Creek is understanding the rules for the particular section and time of year you are fishing.

During the delayed-harvest period, for example, the single-hook artificial-lure restriction matters regardless of whether you are holding a fly rod or a spinning rod.

If you are new to trout fishing, our Upstate trout fishing guide for families explains differences between trout water classifications and why checking the regulations before a trip matters.

When Should You Fish Eastatoe Creek?

Mountain trout fishing can change dramatically with the season. Water temperature, rainfall, and stocking all matter. A creek that seems quiet during a hot summer afternoon can fish very differently after cooler weather arrives.

South Carolina’s trout stocking program is also seasonal, so I would check the current stocking information before making a special trip. SCDNR publishes recent stocking information rather than promising anglers exactly when a future stocking truck will arrive.

Our easy-access trout fishing guide explains why timing can matter as much as choosing the right stream.

What Should I Check Before a Trout Fishing Trip?

Start with the current SCDNR regulations for the exact water you plan to fish. Then check recent trout stocking information and weather conditions.

Rain can change a mountain stream quickly, and summer water temperatures can become stressful for trout. A little research before leaving home can save a wasted trip and help protect the fishery.

Fishing and Hiking Work Surprisingly Well Together Here

One reason I think Eastatoe Creek deserves its own guide is that you do not necessarily have to choose between a fishing trip and a hiking trip.

An angler can start at Dug Mountain, fish near the access area, and then walk portions of the Eastatoe Passage looking for additional water. Someone who is primarily hiking can enjoy the creek and suspension bridge without carrying a fishing rod.

For families where not everyone wants to fish all day, that can make Eastatoe Creek much easier to sell as a destination.

The first suspension bridge is a particularly good goal. Even if the fishing is slow, you still have something memorable to see. You can read about that hike in our guide to hiking the Eastatoe Passage to the suspension bridge.

Make It Part of a Highway 11 Day

Eastatoe Creek is also well positioned for a larger day exploring northern Pickens County.

Highway 11 runs through one of the best outdoor recreation corridors in the Upstate. Depending on how much time you have, you can combine fishing or hiking at Eastatoe Creek with Keowee-Toxaway State Park, Long Shoals, Table Rock, or other stops along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway.

Our complete guide to South Carolina Highway 11 can help you turn a fishing trip into a full day of exploring.

If you want another nearby hike, Natural Bridge Trail at Keowee-Toxaway State Park offers a short loop with Poe Creek, waterfalls, and rock formations.

Eastatoe Creek or Little Eastatoe Creek?

If you are choosing between the two, think about what kind of outing you want.

Eastatoe Creek around Dug Mountain feels more like a dedicated trout-fishing and hiking destination. The Eastatoe Passage lets you explore the creek on foot, and the suspension bridge adds a destination beyond fishing.

Little Eastatoe Creek around Long Shoals is much easier to combine with a quick Highway 11 stop. Long Shoals is also popular for swimming and sliding in warm weather, which can make it considerably busier when anglers and swimmers share the same area.

Neither replaces the other. They are simply different experiences, and having both so close together is one reason this part of Pickens County is so good for people who enjoy mountain streams.

Is Eastatoe Creek the Same as Little Eastatoe Creek?

No. They are separate streams.

The Eastatoe Creek covered in this guide includes the Dug Mountain and Hemlock Hollow areas and is followed by the Eastatoe Passage.

Little Eastatoe Creek is the stream found at places such as Long Shoals along Highway 11. If you are using a map or looking for a fishing access point, double-check the name before you start driving.

What I Would Do on My Next Visit

Our first visit was a hiking trip, so I spent most of my time looking at the trail rather than figuring out how I would fish the creek.

Next time, I would approach it differently.

I would start at Dug Mountain Angler Access, spend some time around the developed fishing area, and then work my way along the creek on foot. Instead of trying to cover a lot of distance, I would take time to look at individual pools, current seams, deeper water and quieter pockets along the banks.

I would also download the map before leaving home. Discovering Hemlock Hollow by accident was fun during a hike. It would be less entertaining if I were carrying fishing gear and trying to find my vehicle before dark.

Is Eastatoe Creek Worth Exploring?

Absolutely, and not only for anglers.

What surprised me most about our hike was how accessible portions of Eastatoe Creek felt compared with some mountain streams. There are still rugged areas, but you do not have to hike several miles into the backcountry just to see the water.

Dug Mountain gives anglers an established place to begin. Hemlock Hollow provides another access into the creek corridor. The Eastatoe Passage lets hikers follow portions of the water, and the suspension bridge gives families a destination even if nobody catches a fish.

For someone interested in trout fishing, I’d put this on the list. If you simply enjoy exploring the mountain streams of Pickens County, I would still go.

And if you are like me, you may arrive planning to hike and leave thinking about bringing a fishing rod next time.

Explore More Upstate Fishing

Eastatoe Creek is only one part of the trout fishing available around the South Carolina mountains. For more ideas, explore our Upstate fishing collection, find more easy-access trout fishing spots, or use our guide to fishing near Table Rock State Park to find another place to put a line in the water.