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Boat Launch · Smith County

South Carthage Boat Ramp, Cumberland River

1 ramp, 1 lane, canoe / kayak landing, restrooms. In Carthage.

Get driving directionsAll Smith County spots

With a guide

Guides and charters near South Carthage Boat Ramp

Captains who run Cumberland River, with their own phone numbers. You call and book with them directly.

Billy Flatt · Nashville

Nashville Fishing Charters

Stripers, hybrids, crappie, largemouth, smallmouthCall 615-812-2091nashvillefishingcharters.com

Capt. Brian and two guides · Nashville

Fish Nashville

Striper, hybrid, catfish, crappie, bass, troutCall 615-200-0618fishnashville.com

Mark Travis · Nashville area

Crappie Guide Service

White and black crappieCall 615-542-9800crappieguideservice.com

All 6 guides on Nashville lakes and the Cumberland

What to bring

Tackle for South Carthage Boat Ramp

Three picks from the largemouth bass checklist that work for the fish here. Affiliate links: buying through them pays this site a small commission at no extra cost to you.

RodUgly Stik GX2 7 ft medium-heavy casting rodStiff enough to set a hook in grass, tough enough to live in a truck bed.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
ReelAbu Garcia Black Max baitcasting reelAn inexpensive baitcaster that casts cleanly once the brakes are set.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
Soft plasticZoom Trick WormThe Tennessee standard on a Texas rig or weightless along docks and grass edges.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
Full largemouth bass checklist (11 items)All gear checklists

Spending more? The bigger purchases, compared side by side:

Smallmouth Bass checklistCrappie checklistStriper and Hybrid checklistFish Finders comparedTrolling Motors comparedLithium Marine Batteries comparedShallow Water Anchors compared

How to get there

Getting to South Carthage Boat Ramp

South Carthage Boat Ramp is a public boat launch on Cumberland River in Smith County, Tennessee, run by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

1/4 mile west of bridge on Hwy 25 W (Carthage bypass)

South Carthage Boat Ramp is in Carthage. The closest other public access is Bob Lowery Sr. Boat Ramp on Caney Fork River, 1.3 miles to the south. For bait, Wildwood Resort and Marina in Granville is about 8 miles away.

Coordinates 36.24317, -85.94558

Open in Google MapsSee nearby spots on the mapFishing near Carthage
Aerial view of South Carthage Boat Ramp
South Carthage Boat Ramp from above. The pin marks the access point. USGS aerial imagery.

What is there

What you will find at South Carthage Boat Ramp

Free to launch 3.5 out of 5 Facilities 3.5 of 5, scored from what TWRA records: ramp, docks, pier, restrooms, parking, lighting and hours.

Everything below comes from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s own public access record for South Carthage Boat Ramp. It is the same data the state uses, not a guess from a photograph.

Boat ramp

You can launch a trailered boat here. 1 lane.

Canoe and kayak

A landing shallow enough to carry a paddle craft in and out.

Restrooms

Toilets on site, which is rarer than you would think.

Open 24 hours

TWRA records round the clock access, so early starts are fine.

Not recorded here: fishing pier, camping. Worth knowing before a long drive with the family.

What you can catch

Fish you can catch at South Carthage Boat Ramp

Cumberland River holds these, according to the county research behind this site and TWRA’s own species notes.

largemouth basssmallmouth basscrappiestriped basswhite basssaugercatfishfreshwater drumcarp

The urban stretch through Nashville is genuinely productive, big blue catfish and spring skipjack below the dams, and much of it is fishable from downtown greenway bank.

Everything on Cumberland RiverFind a local fishing guide

What you can keep

Fishing limits at South Carthage Boat Ramp

What you can keep from Cumberland River at South Carthage Boat Ramp. Cumberland River has no limits of its own, so the statewide limits apply. These are the ones for the fish it holds.

FishDaily limitLengthWhere or when
Largemouth bass5 black bass combinedNo minimumStatewide
Smallmouth bass5 black bass combinedNo minimumStatewide
Crappie1510 in minimumStatewide
Striped bass2 striped and hybrid combined15 in minimumStatewide
White bass15No minimumStatewide
Sauger1015 in minimumStatewide
Channel catfishNo limit under 34 inOnly one over 34 inStatewide

From the 2026–27 Tennessee Fishing Guide (TWRA), in effect 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027, checked 25 September 2026. Rules change, so check the guide before you keep a fish.

Statewide limits and licenses

12 public boat launches in Smith County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.

What it looks like

Cumberland River around South Carthage Boat Ramp

What the water at South Carthage Boat Ramp actually looks like. Drag or swipe through. Every picture opens that water’s own page.

Cumberland River, TennesseeCumberland RiverOpen the Cumberland River page →U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not s / Public domainCordell Hull Lake, TennesseeCordell Hull LakeOpen the Cordell Hull Lake page →United States Army Corps of Engineers image / Public domainCaney Fork River, TennesseeCaney Fork RiverOpen the Caney Fork River page →U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not s / Public domainCumberland River, TennesseeCumberland RiverOpen the Cumberland River page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0Caney Fork River, TennesseeCaney Fork RiverOpen the Caney Fork River page →Brian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0Cumberland River, TennesseeCumberland RiverOpen the Cumberland River page →Pub. by Southern Latex Co., Nashville, Tenn. “Ti / Public domain

Next one along

More Cumberland River access near South Carthage Boat Ramp

The closest other public access points on Cumberland River, measured straight line from South Carthage Boat Ramp. Each one opens its own page with directions.

Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACECordell Hull Dam Lock Side River Boat Ramp2.5 miles northLocated at the end of Horseshoe Bend Rd. off Hwy 70 at lock side of Cordell Hull Dam.1 ramp, 1 lanerestroomsDirections and detail →36.27948, -85.93917Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACECordell Hull Dam Generator Side Boat Ramp2.7 miles northTurn off Dixon Springs Hwy onto Hwy 263 Turkey Creek Hwy. Then turn onto Corps Lane, ramp is located behind playground on the right.1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingrestroomsDirections and detail →36.28236, -85.93692Fee not listed3 out of 5facilitiesFishing Site · USACECordell Hull Dam Access Area3.1 miles northfishing pierrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.28789, -85.94260Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACERome Boat Ramp7.1 miles westHwy 70 between Rock City/Rome and Wilson County Line west of Carthage1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.26158, -86.07003Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACEBrimstone Creek25 miles north-east1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.47920, -85.60850Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACEButlers Landing27 miles north-east1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.48951, -85.56421
All 13 access points on Cumberland River

South Carthage Boat Ramp water holds largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, striped bass.

Other water close by

Other fishing near South Carthage Boat Ramp

Public access on other water within 20 miles of South Carthage Boat Ramp, including Caney Fork River, Old Hickory Lake and Cordell Hull Lake. Handy when the wind is wrong on Cumberland River or the ramp is busy.

Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · CountyBob Lowery Sr. Boat RampCaney Fork River · 1.3 miles southlocated on Hwy 53 at Smith Co. Agricultural Complex in South Carthage, TN1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.22419, -85.94280Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesFishing SiteOld Hickory Lake Fishing AccessOld Hickory Lake · 3.2 miles northDirections and detail →36.28966, -85.94077Free3 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACEHorseshoe Bend RampCordell Hull Lake · 3.7 miles north1 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.29630, -85.94330Free4.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · MarinaDefeated Creek MarinaCordell Hull Lake · 4.5 miles north-east1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.30060, -85.90710Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · TWRAStonewall Boat RampCaney Fork River · 4.6 miles south-eastExit I-40 at HWY 53 through Gordonsville to HWY 2641 ramp, 1 lanecanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.18504, -85.90655Free2.5 out of 5facilitiesBoat Launch · USACESullivans Bend Boat RampCordell Hull Lake · 5.6 miles north-east1 ramp, 1 laneDirections and detail →36.29560, -85.86880

Bait on the way

Bait and tackle near South Carthage Boat Ramp

The closest shops to South Carthage Boat Ramp that this site has checked. Wildwood Resort and Marina in Granville is nearest, about 8 miles away. Call ahead in winter, when smaller shops cut their hours.

Granville · about 8 milesWildwood Resort and MarinaMarina store. Fuel, ice, terminal tackle and live bait when the lake is running.Directions and phone →Lancaster · about 9 milesCenter Hill MarinaMarina store. Fuel, ice, terminal tackle and live bait when the lake is running.Directions and phone →Hartsville · about 16 milesWalmart SupercenterOpen late, sells licences at the counter, and carries terminal tackle and line.Directions and phone →
All bait and tackle in Smith County

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Common questions

Questions about South Carthage Boat Ramp

Can you launch a boat at South Carthage Boat Ramp?

Yes. TWRA records South Carthage Boat Ramp as having a boat ramp. It has 1 lane. TWRA records it as free to launch.

Do you need a fishing licence at South Carthage Boat Ramp?

Yes. Anyone 13 or older needs a Tennessee fishing licence to fish here, and a trout supplemental on top of it if you plan to keep trout. It is the same rule at every public access point in the state.

What fish are in the water at South Carthage Boat Ramp?

Cumberland River holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, striped bass, white bass, sauger, catfish, freshwater drum and carp. Seasons and creel limits are set by TWRA and change, so check them before you keep anything.

Where can I buy bait near South Carthage Boat Ramp?

Wildwood Resort and Marina in Granville is the closest bait and tackle shop this site lists, about 8 miles from South Carthage Boat Ramp. Center Hill Marina in Lancaster is next, about 9 miles away.

Is there a restroom at South Carthage Boat Ramp?

Yes, TWRA records restrooms at this access point.

Who runs South Carthage Boat Ramp?

South Carthage Boat Ramp is listed under the US Army Corps of Engineers in TWRA’s public access database. The owner is worth knowing because it usually decides whether there is a fee, whether the gate is locked overnight, and who to ring when a ramp is closed for repair.

Where to next

Around South Carthage Boat Ramp

South Carthage Boat Ramp is one access point. These pages cover the rest of the water and the rest of the county.

The whole waterFishing Cumberland River13 public access points across 5 counties.See the spots →County guideFishing in Smith CountyEvery public spot in Smith County, mapped out.See the spots →Full listSmith County spot listAll 17 access points in the county.See the spots →GearBait and tackle near CarthageShops, rentals and where to buy a licence locally.Find gear →Nearest townFishing near CarthageEverything within about 30 miles of Carthage, closest first.See the spots →

Keep going

Fishing around South Carthage Boat Ramp, and who knows it

Guides and charters on this site are listed by the water they run, so you can ring the captain who fishes Cumberland River rather than a booking desk. Licences and limits are one click away too.

Guides by waterLicence and limits