You’re driving through the backroads of Union County, South Carolina, and the loblolly pines start to thick up. It’s quiet. Really quiet. Then, you see it—the glint of water through the trees off Highway 49. This is John D. Long Lake.
To a stranger, it looks like any other 80-acre SCDNR fishing hole. A silver pier. A boat ramp. Some locals in camo hats waiting for a bite. But for anyone who was alive in the mid-90s, this water feels different. It carries a weight that a lot of people still can’t quite put into words. Honestly, it’s one of those places where beauty and tragedy don’t just sit side-by-side; they’re tangled up in the same weeds.
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What Really Happened at John D. Long Lake
Most people know the name because of Susan Smith. Back in 1994, she told the world a Black man had carjacked her and taken her two young sons. It was a lie that gripped the entire country for nine days. While she was on TV pleading for their return, Michael and Alex were already at the bottom of the lake, strapped into their car seats.
The car—a 1990 Mazda Protégé—didn't just disappear. Investigators initially looked close to the shore, thinking it couldn't have gone far. They were wrong. The car was found 122 feet out.
Then, two years later, things got even weirder and Sadder. In 1996, a family of seven, including four children, died when their car rolled down the exact same boat ramp into the water. They had pulled over to see the memorial for the Smith boys. It was a freak accident that felt like a curse. After that, the state didn't just close the ramp; they dug it up, grassed it over, and moved the monuments. They basically tried to erase the "death trap" reputation of that specific spot.
The Lake Today: More Than a Ghost Story
If you go there now, you’ll notice the boat ramp is on the western end of the lake, off Black Bottom Road. That’s intentional. The old eastern access near the dam—the "haunted" side—is now a small parkland. It’s peaceful, but if you know where to look, you can still feel the history.
SCDNR (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources) actually shut the whole place down for two years back in 2013. The lake had a problem: too many bass. It sounds like a good problem for a fisherman, but it wasn't. The balance was totally off. They stunned the fish, moved the bass elsewhere, drained the lake, and even hauled in over 600 tons of gravel to create better spawning grounds for bream.
Since it reopened in 2015, the fishing has actually been stellar. You’ve got:
- Largemouth Bass: They’ve restocked them, and they're thriving.
- Bream (Bluegill and Shellcracker): The gravel beds worked.
- Channel Catfish: These were added later and have grown into some real units.
Fishing and Boating: The Ground Rules
Don't expect to bring your big bass boat with a 200hp Mercury on it. John D. Long Lake is strictly for the quiet life. You can use electric trolling motors or just old-fashioned paddles. If you have a gas motor, it has to stay out of the water. This keeps the lake glass-calm, which is great for kayaking but even better for the fish.
The pier is handicapped accessible, which is a big plus. It's one of the few places in the Upstate where you can get a "big lake" feel without the chaotic wake of jet skis.
When to Cast Your Line
Honestly, if you're looking for the best bite, you have to play the seasons.
- Spring/Fall: Wait for the sun to hit the water. The fish won't move until things warm up a bit. Mid-afternoon is your best bet.
- Summer: It’s South Carolina. It’s hot. The fish head for the deep holes (some spots are 80 feet deep!) during the day. Go at sunrise or stay until dusk.
- Winter: It’s tough. The water temperature can drop into the 30s. You’ll need to fish slow and deep with smaller baits.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to Union to see it for yourself, here is how to handle it with respect and success:
1. Respect the Silence
Locals still treat this as a somber place. It’s okay to fish and have fun, but keep the loud music and rowdiness for Lake Murray. This is a place for reflection.
2. Watch the Ramp
Even though the "cursed" ramp is gone, the new one can still be tricky when the water is low. If you have a long trailer, keep an eye on the end of the concrete so you don't drop an axle off the edge.
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3. Pack In, Pack Out
There aren't a ton of amenities here. You won't find a snack bar or a tackle shop on-site. Bring your own water, bait, and a trash bag.
4. Check the Regulations
Statewide limits usually apply, but they change. Currently, the limit is 5 bass and 10-20 bream depending on the season, so check the SCDNR signs at the entrance before you start filling your cooler.
John D. Long Lake is a weirdly beautiful paradox. It's a place where the worst of humanity happened, but nature has spent the last thirty years trying to reclaim it. Whether you're there for the bass or the history, you'll leave feeling the weight of the water.
Your Next Steps:
- Check the current SCDNR freshwater fishing regulations for Union County to ensure you have the correct license.
- Visit the Union County Museum downtown if you want to see the archival records of the 1994 events before heading to the lake.
- Pack a kayak rather than a motorboat to fully experience the quiet coves on the north side.