Fishing is a great way to get outside, whether you make it a family affair or use it as an oppor-tuna-ty to snag some much-needed alone time out in nature.We put together a list of local fishing spots + resources for you to have a reely good time while you fish around Columbia.
SC State Parks showcases 10 major reservoir lakes across SC. In some cases, the park is the only public access point for sailing, boating, and fishing.
If you do not own any fishing supplies, check out Barron’s Outfitters or any of these bait and tackle shops located around Lake Murray.
Find general information on fishing, including where, how, trends, tournaments, guides, regulations, and more on SCDNR’s fishing website.
When in doubt, read through the SC Fisherman’s Handbook, alphabetically listing some of the state’s recreational areas that feature fishing spots.
Southeastern Piano Festival Artist Showcase | 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. | USC, School of Music 206 Recital Hall | $25 | Drew Petersen, winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and American Pianists’ Association awards, will perform works by Adams, Mozart, Wang Jie and Liszt.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | Food Fight Night: Cheer on the Carolina Grits as they take on an opposing food identity in a flavorful face-off.*
Friday, June 13
Food Truck Friday | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | REI Co-op parking lot | Price of purchase | This week’s lineup features food from Lobster Dogs, Purposely Made Sweets, Right Way Wings and Things, and Smoke IT UP.
3rd Annual Bees and Blooms | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Southeast Park | Free | Discover the vital role of bees in our ecosystem, explore pollinator gardens, and enjoy hands-on activities.
Lexington just got a rare addition. Ember, a new upscale steakhouse, is now open on West Main Street, next to the Icehouse Amphitheater. Be sure to Resy before you go.
Coming Soon
After 120 years on Main Street, Sylvan’s Jewelers tied the knoton a new location in the Vista. The historic jeweler will leave its iconic corner spot for a modernized space — formerly Wet Willie’s — expand its offerings, and open this fall. (The Post and Courier)
Read
USC women’s basketball coach can now add New York Times bestselling author to her resume. Her book, “Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother and Life Lessons I Learned from All Three,” snagged the No. 2 spot on the list earlier this week. Snag a copy. (Greenville Journal)
Theater
If you missed it the first time, “Murder on Main Street” returns Friday, July 25, for an encore at The Venue on Main in downtown Columbia. Guests are encouraged to don Golden Age attire, solve a vaudeville-era mystery, and compete for prizes.
Civic
SCDOT will host a drop-in meeting on Thursday, June 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ballentine Community Center to discuss US 76 bridge repairs over the C.N. & L Railroad in Richland County. Public comments are open through Friday, July 11.
Seasonal
It’s almost time for the summer edition of Arts & Draughts, happening next Friday, June 20, from 6-10 p.m. at the CMA. Tickets are $10 for members (pro tip: join or renew here) and $15 for non-members — snag yours.*
Need your property to sell fast? Feature it here, in front of our 48,000+ highly engaged readers. Visit our self-service ad portal to get started and see your property in COLAtoday in as little as two days.
If “Yellowstone” taught us anything, it’s to protect what’s yours. With gold projected to hit $4,000 an ounce by 2026, a gold IRA is a tax-advantaged way to saddle up for uncertain times.†*
Post of the Day
Chalk up another award for the Midlands. Lake Murray made a splashas the “Best Lake for Water Sports” in USA Today’s 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. With 650 miles of shoreline and year-round recreation, it topped 19 other lakes nationwide.
New sheets at a great discount. Get 70% off these cooling bamboo blend waffle hem sheets, with a queen set only costing $28.99. The 1800 thread count sheets are hypoallergenic, machine washable, and crafted from bamboo-derived fabric that keeps you cool in summer.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Your fall afternoons just got a little easier to plan. The SEC released time windows for the Gamecocks’ 2025 football season — including a 3 p.m. kickoff vs. Virginia Tech on Sunday, Aug. 31, and 12 p.m. vs. Clemson on Saturday, November 29.
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