FishKillFlea From the mountain streams of the upstate to the legendary Santee Cooper lakes and the massive tidal marshes of the Lowcountry, South Carolina is a fishing paradise. A simple $10 SC fishing license unlocks all inland waters.
The Lowcountry (Requires Marine/Saltwater License)
| Spot | Region | Species | Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Harbor | Coast | Red Drum, Seatrout | Incredible sight-fishing for tailing redfish in the grass |
| Myrtle Beach Piers | Grand Strand | Spanish Mackerel, King | Great ocean access without owning a boat |
| Beaufort Marshes | Southern Coast | Cobia, Tarpon | World-class tidal fishing in pristine estuaries |
The Legendary Reservoirs (Requires Freshwater License)
| Water | Region | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santee Cooper | Central SC | Catfish, Stripers | Lakes Marion & Moultrie form a legendary catfish factory |
| Lake Murray | Columbia Area | Striped Bass, Bass | Massive, clear water reservoir with top-tier tournaments |
| Lake Hartwell | Upstate / GA Border | Spotted Bass, Striper | Hosted the Bassmaster Classic multiple times |
| Lake Wateree | Camden Area | Crappie, Bass | One of SC's oldest and most fertile lakes |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Bass Spawn, Cobia | Lake Hartwell, Beaufort | The spring Cobia run in Broad River is epic |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Mahi, Summer Stripers | Offshore Charleston | Troll deep on Lake Murray for schooling stripers |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Bull Redfish, Crappie | Charleston Harbor, Wateree | The fall bite in the salt marshes is aggressive and fun |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Trophy Blue Catfish | Santee Cooper | Cut bait on the bottom of Lake Moultrie for 60lb+ cats! |
Neighboring: North Carolina for Wylie/Wateree river systems, Georgia for Lake Hartwell and the Savannah River.
An SC annual freshwater license is $10. See full costs or buy yours.