Best Fishing Spots in South Carolina

South Carolina packs tremendous fishing diversity into a compact state — from Blue Ridge mountain trout to legendary Lowcountry inshore fishing. The Palmetto State is home to Santee Cooper (the catfish and striper capital of the East), Charleston's world-class redfish marshes, and Lake Jocassee's stunning mountain lake trout fishery.

🎣 7 Top Spots 📍 3 Regions 📋 4 Seasons

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Santee Cooper Lakes — Catfish & Stripers

The Santee Cooper system (Lakes Marion and Moultrie) is one of the most productive freshwater fisheries in the Southeast. The lakes are legendary for giant blue catfish, landlocked striped bass, and panfish.

Lake Marion

Santee, SC · Reservoir

Beginner

Lake Marion is the largest lake in South Carolina (110,600 acres) and part of the legendary Santee Cooper system. The blue catfish population is staggering — 50-pound fish are caught regularly, and the lake record exceeds 100 pounds.

🐟 Blue Catfish 🐟 Striped Bass 🐟 Largemouth Bass 🐟 Crappie

🌸 Spring ☀️ Summer 🍂 Fall

🎯 Expert Tip

Blue catfish: anchor over the river channel and fish cut gizzard shad on the bottom — any day can produce a personal best. Stripers: troll umbrella rigs through the open water in fall and winter. The spring crappie run in the flooded timber is outstanding.

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Lake Moultrie

Moncks Corner, SC · Reservoir

Intermediate

Connected to Lake Marion by the Diversion Canal, Lake Moultrie (60,000 acres) is the striped bass powerhouse of the Santee Cooper system. Landlocked stripers over 30 pounds feed on massive threadfin shad schools in the open water.

🐟 Striped Bass 🐟 Blue Catfish 🐟 Largemouth Bass 🐟 Crappie

❄️ Winter 🌸 Spring

🎯 Expert Tip

Winter stripers: troll large swimbaits and umbrella rigs on the main lake humps. Live herring fished on downlines is the most effective method for big stripers. The Old Santee Canal is excellent for bank fishing catfish and bream.

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📍 Santee Cooper Lakes — Catfish & Stripers · 33.5500°N, 80.2500°W

Lowcountry Inshore — Redfish Paradise

South Carolina's Lowcountry coast from Charleston to Hilton Head features expansive salt marshes, tidal creeks, and barrier island flats that hold Year-round redfish, trout, and flounder.

Charleston Harbor & Marsh

Charleston, SC · Bay

Intermediate

Charleston's vast marsh system is one of the premier inshore fisheries on the East Coast. Miles of spartina grass flats, oyster beds, and tidal creeks hold redfish year-round. The fall sight-fishing for tailing reds on the flood tide flats is extraordinary.

🐟 Redfish 🐟 Speckled Trout 🐟 Flounder 🐟 Sheepshead

🍂 Fall 🌸 Spring

🎯 Expert Tip

Sight-cast to tailing redfish on flood tide flats (September–November) with gold spoons and soft plastic shrimp. Fish oyster bars on falling tides for trout and flounder. The Folly Beach pier ($8 adults) offers free-license pier fishing for a variety of species.

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Hilton Head / Port Royal Sound

Hilton Head, SC · Bay

Intermediate

Port Royal Sound near Hilton Head and Beaufort offers excellent inshore fishing with the added bonus of summer cobia and tarpon. The large sound creates mixing zones where redfish and trout feed aggressively on the tidal changes.

🐟 Redfish 🐟 Speckled Trout 🐟 Cobia 🐟 Tarpon

🌸 Spring ☀️ Summer

🎯 Expert Tip

Spring reds and trout: drift live shrimp under a popping cork along the spartina edges. Summer cobia (May-July): sight-cast large jigs to cruising fish on the flats. Tarpon appear in August near the sound passes. Charter guides from Hilton Head run daily trips.

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Myrtle Beach Piers

Myrtle Beach, SC · Pier

Beginner

Myrtle Beach's fishing piers (Apache, Cherry Grove, 2nd Avenue) extend into productive Atlantic waters and offer excellent family-friendly fishing. King mackerel fishing from the piers draws dedicated anglers every summer.

🐟 King Mackerel 🐟 Spanish Mackerel 🐟 Red Drum 🐟 Flounder 🐟 Whiting

☀️ Summer 🍂 Fall

🎯 Expert Tip

King mackerel (June–October): fish live bluefish or large menhaden on king rigs at the end of the pier — kings over 30 pounds taken annually. For bottom fish: shrimp or cut bait for whiting, flounder, and black drum. Pier fees: $8-$12/day.

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📍 Lowcountry Inshore — Redfish Paradise · 32.7500°N, 79.8600°W

Upstate Reservoirs & Mountain Trout

South Carolina's upstate region surprises with stunning mountain reservoirs holding lake trout and bass, plus Blue Ridge trout streams in the Jocassee Gorges.

Lake Jocassee

Salem, SC · Reservoir

Intermediate

Lake Jocassee is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Southeast — crystal-clear mountain water surrounded by the Jocassee Gorges wilderness. Lake trout, brown trout, and smallmouth bass thrive in the cold, deep water. Multiple waterfalls cascade directly into the lake.

🐟 Lake Trout 🐟 Brown Trout 🐟 Rainbow Trout 🐟 Smallmouth Bass

🌸 Spring ❄️ Winter

🎯 Expert Tip

Lake trout: troll spoons or downrig 60-100 feet deep in summer, or jig vertically in winter when lakers come shallow. Spring brown trout concentrate near the creek mouths. Waterfall tours by boat are a popular side activity. Devil's Fork State Park provides the only public access.

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Lake Murray

Columbia, SC · Reservoir

Beginner

Columbia's backyard lake, Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre reservoir that provides excellent striped bass and largemouth fishing within 30 minutes of the state capital. The annual striped bass spawning run on the Saluda River is a highlight.

🐟 Striped Bass 🐟 Largemouth Bass 🐟 Crappie 🐟 Catfish

🌸 Spring 🍂 Fall

🎯 Expert Tip

Stripers: troll umbrella rigs and live herring along the dam face and main lake humps. Largemouth: fish the standing timber and dock pilings in the upper lake with jigs and Texas rigs. The Dreher Island State Park area is the most productive zone.

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📍 Upstate Reservoirs & Mountain Trout · 35.0100°N, 82.9400°W

When to Fish in South Carolina — Seasonal Guide

Season	Months	Best Targets	Prime Spots	Tips
Spring	March – May	Bass Spawn, Lake Jocassee Brown Trout, Marsh Redfish	Santee Cooper (bass/crappie), Jocassee (browns), Charleston (reds)	Spring is South Carolina's best all-around fishing season. Bass spawn on Santee Cooper and upstate lakes. Lake Jocassee browns concentrate at creek mouths. Charleston marsh redfish become very active with warming water.
Summer	June – August	Blue Catfish, Pier Mackerel, Cobia, Tarpon	Santee Cooper (giant cats), Myrtle Beach piers (kings), Port Royal (cobia)	Summer heat concentrates blue catfish in the Santee Cooper river channels — the biggest cats of the year. King mackerel peak on Myrtle Beach piers. Cobia and tarpon appear on the southern coast.
Fall	September – November	Fall Redfish Blitz, Striper Season, Trophy Trout	Charleston (tailing reds), Lake Moultrie (stripers), Chattooga (trout)	Fall is the best season for Charleston sight-fishing to tailing redfish. Santee Cooper stripers go on a feeding frenzy. Mountain trout streams fish well before winter. Bull reds run along the beaches.
Winter	December – February	Winter Stripers, Lake Trout, Sheepshead	Santee Cooper (winter stripers), Jocassee (shallow lakers), Charleston piers (sheepshead)	Winter striper fishing on Santee Cooper is excellent — big fish feed on threadfin shad. Lake Jocassee lakers come shallow in cold water. Coastal sheepshead stack on bridge pilings and jetties.

🪪 South Carolina Fishing License Info

A South Carolina fishing license costs $10 for residents (freshwater or saltwater). Non-residents pay $35/year or $11/day. Kids under 16 fish free. A combo license ($15 resident) covers both freshwater and saltwater.

View South Carolina License Guide → Official Resources ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fishing in South Carolina? ▼

Santee Cooper (Lakes Marion/Moultrie) is legendary for blue catfish and striped bass. Charleston's marsh system is one of the best inshore fisheries on the East Coast for redfish. Lake Jocassee offers stunning mountain lake trout fishing. Myrtle Beach piers provide family-friendly saltwater action.

How much is a South Carolina fishing license? ▼

Resident: $10/year (one of the cheapest in America) for freshwater or saltwater separately, or $15 for a combo. Non-resident: $35/year or $11/day. Kids under 16 fish free. Free fishing days are offered annually.

Where is the best redfish fishing in South Carolina? ▼

Charleston's marsh system is the top destination — the fall sight-fishing to tailing redfish on flood tide flats is world-class. Beaufort/Port Royal Sound and Georgetown/Winyah Bay also produce excellent redfish. The redfish bite is year-round in SC.

What are the best fishing spots near Charleston? ▼

Charleston Harbor marsh for inshore redfish, trout, and flounder (boat or kayak). Folly Beach Pier for family-friendly fishing ($8 admission). Fort Moultrie jetties for sheepshead and drum. Offshore fishing from Shem Creek and Isle of Palms Marina for bottom fish and pelagics.

Is there trout fishing in South Carolina? ▼

Yes — the Blue Ridge region in the extreme northwest corner has excellent trout streams. The Chattooga River (Wild & Scenic) holds wild trout. Lake Jocassee has lake trout, brown trout, and rainbows. The Saluda River tailwater below Lake Murray has a put-grow-take trout fishery.

How big do catfish get in Santee Cooper? ▼

Blue catfish in the Santee Cooper system regularly exceed 50 pounds, and the lake record is over 100 pounds. Fish in the 20-40 pound range are caught daily. The Diversion Canal between Lakes Marion and Moultrie concentrates giant catfish — it's one of the best catfishing destinations in America.