Lake Hartwell was created by the Hartwell Dam, finished in 1963, and is named for the American Revolutionary War figure Nancy Hart. The lake is said to be the states largest and most popular recreation lake. Wildlife you may see include a variety of bird species (around 250 in the area), as well as deer, squirrel and other mammals. It is a good fishing lake with a variety of species, including bream, catfish, smallmouth bass, walleye, largemouth bass and striped bass (which this lake is most famous for).