Florence Stories

It's Now Illegal to Fish From the Forest Lake Causeway in Florence, SC. Here's the Law.

HelloFlorenceSC Updated October 9, 2026

Cast a line from the causeway that crosses Forest Lake on Knollwood Road and you are breaking state law. Since May 19, 2026, fishing there has been illegal at any time. The penalty is a fine of up to $25 or up to 30 days confined, for each offense. The law is Act 219 of 2026, and it moved fast: about seven weeks from first reading to the Governor's signature, with a 44 to 1 vote in the Senate. Every fact below comes from the state legislature's own records, checked October 9, 2026.

What the law says

Act 219 adds Section 50-19-810 to the South Carolina Code of Laws. In plain terms, nobody may fish on the causeway crossing Forest Lake on Knollwood Road in Florence County, also known as the J. Foster Jeffords Causeway. The text lists no seasons, hours or exceptions.

  • Where: the Knollwood Road causeway over Forest Lake.
  • When: at any time.
  • Penalty: a fine of not more than $25, or confinement of not more than 30 days, at the court's discretion, for each separate offense.
  • In effect since: May 19, 2026, the day the Governor signed it.

Seven weeks from bill to law

House bill H. 5473 was introduced on March 31, 2026, and the Governor signed it on May 19. It passed the House 87 to 20 on second reading and the Senate 44 to 1 on second reading. Here is every step.

Date (2026) Step Detail
Jun 3 Act number assigned Act No. 219
May 19 Signed by Governor Effective the same day
May 14 Ratified Ratification No. 218
May 6 Senate third reading Sent back to the House
May 5 Senate second reading Vote 44-1
Apr 29 Recalled from Senate committee Taken out of the Fish, Game and Forestry Committee
Apr 15 House third reading; Senate first reading Referred to the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee
Apr 14 House second reading Vote 87-20; Rep. Williams added as sponsor
Apr 2 House committee report Favorable, from Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
Mar 31 Introduced in the House Sponsored by Rep. Lowe; read first time and referred to committee

What the law doesn't say

It says nothing about the rest of the lake. The act covers the causeway only. It does not by itself answer whether you can fish from other shoreline, and we have not checked access or rules for those areas.

It does not say why. The bill text gives no reason, such as safety, traffic or property concerns, and we found no stated reason in the bill record.

It is not the first of its kind. South Carolina's Code of Laws already bars fishing on the causeway crossing Belle Isle Lake on Old South Island Road in Georgetown County (Title 50, Chapter 19).

Looking for somewhere else to get outside? See our guide to easy parks and events in Florence and things to do in Florence, SC.

Quick answers

Is it illegal to fish on the Forest Lake causeway in Florence, SC?

Yes. Since May 19, 2026, fishing there is prohibited at any time under Act 219.

Where is the causeway?

It is the causeway that crosses Forest Lake on Knollwood Road in Florence County, also called the J. Foster Jeffords Causeway.

What is the penalty?

A fine of not more than $25 or confinement of not more than 30 days, at the court's discretion, for each separate offense.

Is fishing banned on all of Forest Lake?

The act's text covers only the causeway. It says nothing about the rest of the lake, and we have not checked access or rules for other shoreline.

What is the law's official name and number?

Act 219 of 2026, passed as House bill H. 5473, which adds Section 50-19-810 to the South Carolina Code of Laws.

What we're still chasing

The bill record shows what the law does and how it passed. It does not explain why, and these points still need a primary source before we state them:

  • Why the Legislature acted. The bill text gives no stated reason.
  • Who owns and maintains the causeway. We have not confirmed whether the state, county or a private owner controls it.
  • Who enforces it, and whether signs are posted. We have not confirmed the enforcing agency or on-site notice.
  • Where fishing is still allowed on Forest Lake. Public access to other shoreline has not been checked.
  • Forest Lake sanctuary rules. A law from the 1979 to 1980 session created a bird and game sanctuary around Forest Lake. We have confirmed the original act but not that it is still in the current Code of Laws, so it is not treated as current law here.

Know the answer to any of these? Send us the source and we will check it and update this article.

Sources

All from the South Carolina Legislature, checked October 9, 2026.