SCW June 2026

South Carolina Wildlife magazine…

behind the scenes!

Here’s a sneak peek of the July-August 2026 cover of South Carolina Wildlife magazine. A scenic avenue at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area photographed by SCW Editor Cindy Thompson

Don’t miss the July-August edition

of South Carolina Wildlife magazine!

In this edition of SCW’s “Palmetto Portraits,” photographer Phillip Jones captures breathtaking images along picturesque side roads that weave all the way from the capital city of Columbia to the Atlantic Ocean. At the end of the trip, Jones enjoyed this glorious sunset at Cherry Grove Pier! Photo by Phillip Jones

The summer issue of South Carolina Wildlife magazine is geared toward all ages and outdoor interests! Articles featured in this issue:

• “Reconnecting”
  College students reconnect with nature on the Palmetto Trail
• “Fishing with a Ghost”
  An angler witnesses a unique blue ghost firefly display after a day of fly fishing
• “Lake Wylie’s Black Bass Battle”
  Working to protect South Carolina’s native black bass population, as the non-native Alabama bass species threatens to overtake local aquatic habitats.
• “When the Rain Stops”
  State Climatology Staff explain different types of drought
• “Conserving South Carolina’s Crayfishes”
  Our state is home to a large number of crayfish species, and their habitats are of critical importance.
• “Palmetto Portraits”
  Side Road to Paradise
• “Dabbling”
  Reflections on dabbling for fish
• “Wildlife on Your Land: Changes”
  A surprising then-and-now look at a Carolina landscape
• “Beauty within the Beast”
  The beauty of wildlife in a flower garden
• “Wilds and Waters: the Bluegill”
• “Conservation Corner”
  Local farmers reflect on their connections to the Conservation Districts of S.C.
  . . . and more!

“Lake Wylie’s Black Bass Battle,” featured in the summer issue of SCW magazine, focuses on the importance of protecting populations of our state’s native black bass species and breaks down the approach to support native populations.

Protecting South Carolina’s Native Bass

The following is an excerpt from the article “Lake Wylie’s Black Bass Battle,” written by Terry Madewell. The full article will be featured in the South Carolina Wildlife July-August issue.

If you are not already a subscriber, please subscribe before July 1 to receive your copy. Visit GoOutdoorsSouthCarolina.com or SCWildlife.com to subscribe today. 

Click to view the documentary video “Protecting Our Native Bass,” which accompanies this article. (Produced by SCDNR photographer Allison DeVore; featured on SCNaturalResources YouTube)

Lake Wylie’s Black Bass Battle by Terry Madewell. Photos by Danielle Kent.

Lake Wylie’s Black Bass Battle

SCW feature article by Terry Madewell
Photos and documentary video by Allison DeVore and Danielle Kent

During the early 2000s, an elite bass fishery found at Lake Wylie lured the Bassmaster Classic to host leading tournament bass anglers to battle for the title of Champion. The lake hosted a thrilling tournament in 2004, and all was well in this bass-fishing world.

Concurrently, during those years, a nonnative species of bass was being illegally transported under the radar from Alabama waters into South Carolina river systems and lakes. Astounding disruptions within South Carolina’s native aquatic ecosystems would soon follow.

SCDNR freshwater fisheries staff sample and survey lake reservoirs to monitor populations of bass species that are present. Photo by Allison DeVore

Upsetting the Balance of a Native Ecosystem

Lake Wylie is the uppermost lake in the Catawba River system in South Carolina. First created in 1904 by a dam near Fort Mill, Lake Wylie is one of the oldest reservoirs in South Carolina. The SCDNR manages the lake for recreational fishing and maintains multiple fish attractors. Popular sport fish of Lake Wylie include largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. The SCDNR monitors these species on a regular basis to maintain a healthy population.

Healthy populations of largemouth bass once existed at Lake Wylie, producing an elite-level fishery for decades, until illegal transportation of fish occurred, sabotaging the native black bass fishery and the natural harmony of this ecosystem. Lake Wylie was invaded by an aggressive predator that now sits at the top of the chain: the Alabama bass.

Alabama bass are quickly overtaking Lake Wylie waters, resulting in increased competition with native largemouth bass. Photos by Danielle Kent

Preston Chrisman is the Freshwater Fisheries Coordinator for Region Two of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and Chairman of the Black Bass Working Group. He and this SCDNR team are leading efforts to combat the unwelcome spread of this species into the Catawba River system.

“Often referred to by anglers as Spotted bass, the Alabama bass became a specific, named species of black bass in 2008,” Chrisman said. “When introduced into non-native fisheries, the invasive species rapidly overruns the native bass population to the point of dominance. At Lake Wylie, the native largemouth are losing the battle.”

According to Chrisman, “Alabama bass are typically smaller than the largemouth bass, seldom reaching trophy sizes. Over time, their population explodes, and their growth rates decline when their numbers stabilize,” he said. “Eventually, competition and pressure on forage produce smaller versions of the invasive species, with most in the one-to-three-pound class.”

SCDNR Freshwater fisheries staff encourage anglers to learn characteristics of native black bass vs. Alabama bass. Native largemouth bass (top) compared to non-native Alabama bass (bottom). Photo courtesy SCDNR

In his article, “Lake Wylie’s Black Bass Battle,” Terry Madewell underscores that the SCDNR will not allow the native black bass fisheries to slip quietly into the night without a fight, but it is an ongoing, long-term battle.

“We’re initiating an experimental black bass stocking program on Lake Wylie in 2027,” Chrisman said. “The goal is to stock 150,000 fingerling largemouth bass into Lake Wylie, and to repeat the stockings for at least three consecutive years.” … “Our goal is that anglers will catch more five-pound largemouth rather than three-pounders.”

“Lake Wylie’s Black Bass Battle” by Terry Madewell will be featured in the July-August 2026 edition of South Carolina Wildlife magazine. 

South Carolina’s native black bass
vs. non-native Alabama bass

by Preston Chrisman,
Freshwater Fisheries Coordinator for Region Two of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR)
and Chairman of the Black Bass Working Group 

Alabama Bass (Micropterus henshalli) are native to the Mobile River Basin of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, but have been introduced into waters across the Southeast outside their native range. In South Carolina, Alabama Bass have been illegally introduced into nearly every major river basin in state. The unauthorized spread of invasive Alabama Bass has become a growing conservation concern because they compete with native black bass species for food and habitat and can hybridize with closely related bass, reducing the genetic integrity of native populations. Research from several southeastern states, South Carolina included, has documented declines in Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Bartram’s (Redeye) Bass populations following Alabama Bass introductions, making prevention of further spread an important fisheries management priority.

South Carolina’s native largemouth bass; Photo by Preston Chrisman

(non-native) Alabama bass; Photo by Preston Chrisman

Most anglers believe they are catching the closely related Spotted Bass (Micropterus punctulatus), but all the “spotted” bass in South Carolina have been genetically confirmed to be Alabama Bass. Although Alabama Bass (Micropterus henshalli) and Largemouth Bass (Micropterus nigricans) can appear similar, several key features help distinguish the two species. The most noticeable difference is the size of the mouth. In Largemouth Bass, the upper jaw extends well beyond the rear edge of the eye when the mouth is closed, while in Alabama Bass the jaw typically ends near the middle or rear margin of the eye. Alabama Bass also tend to have a broken, blotchy dark stripe along their sides with rows of small dark spots below the lateral line, whereas Largemouth Bass usually display a more solid, continuous horizontal stripe. Another useful characteristic is the tongue: Alabama Bass generally have a small rough tooth patch on the tongue, while Largemouth Bass usually lack this feature. Because coloration can vary among individuals, multiple characteristics should be used together when identifying these species. Additionally, Alabama Bass will hybridize with Smallmouth Bass and Bartram’s Bass, and to a lesser extent with Largemouth Bass, making visual identification even more difficult for anglers of all experience levels.

If you would like to learn more about recreational fishing and the native fish species of South Carolina, please visit https://www.dnr.sc.gov/fishing.html

To purchase a fishing license, visit GoOutdoorsSouthCarolina.

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South Carolina Wildlife

Spring 1968

South Carolina Wildlife, Spring 1968

Thank you!

Thank you for supporting South Carolina Wildlife magazine, the flagship publication of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.

If you are not already a subscriber, please visit GoOutdoorsSouthCarolina.com or SCWildlife.com to receive bi-monthly editions of this award-winning magazine. 

If you have questions, comments or suggestions for the staff of South Carolina Wildlife magazine, please email  SCWildlifeMagazine@dnr.sc.gov

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South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
South Carolina Wildlife magazine
P.O. Box 167
Columbia, SC  29202