South Carolina Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in South Carolina.
Lake Hartwell
Lake Keowee
Lake Marion
Lake Moultrie
Lake Murray
More South Carolina lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Lake HartwellAnderson, Oconee & Pickens Counties · 56,000 acres
Lake Hartwell
A large Army Corps reservoir on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca rivers along the South Carolina and Georgia line, near Anderson and Clemson. It is known for spotted and largemouth bass, a strong striped and hybrid bass fishery, and good crappie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Spotted Bass
Common on main-lake points, humps and docks. Drop shots and shaky heads in 15-30 ft much of the year.
Striped Bass
Stripers and hybrids follow blueback herring. Free-lined or down-lined live herring and topwater at dawn in spring and fall.
Largemouth Bass
Shallower creek arms, brush piles and docks. Spring spawn on flats is the easiest time.
Crappie
Brush piles, bridge pilings and docks in the creeks. Minnows and small jigs.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait or worms on flats and in creek channels, especially warm months.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Twin Lakes Day Use AreaFeeUSACE park near Clemson. Two-lane ramp, courtesy dock, $7 per vehicleDirections ↗
- Lake Hartwell State ParkFeeSC State Parks, Fair Play. Two ramps and courtesy dock, park admission feeDirections ↗
- Sadlers Creek State ParkFeeSC State Parks near Anderson. Boat ramp and bank fishing, park admission feeDirections ↗
- Portman MarinaMarinaFull-service marina near Anderson with pumpoutDirections ↗
- Clemson MarinaMarinaMarina near Seneca with pumpoutDirections ↗
- Big Water MarinaMarinaMarina at Starr on the lower lake with pumpoutDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass Black bass combined (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, redeye) | 12 in | 10 / day |
| Smallmouth, Spotted & Redeye Bass Counts in 10 black bass combined | See South Carolina rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Striped & Hybrid Bass Combined striped and hybrid | Only 3 over 26 in | 10 / day |
| Striped & Hybrid Bass (Hartwell tailwater) Below Hartwell Dam | Only 1 over 34 in | 2 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at South Carolina Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Lake Hartwell Outdoor CenterNearby5503 Highway 24, Anderson(864) 760-1783Directions ↗
- 3423 Clemson Blvd, Anderson(864) 261-2400Directions ↗
Local tips
- The lake straddles the SC and GA line; check SCDNR for which state licenses are honored where under the reciprocal agreement.
- Watch for gulls and surface boils in fall and winter, a sign of stripers and hybrids on herring.
- Summer weekends bring heavy boat traffic; fish early or late.
Lake KeoweeOconee & Pickens Counties · 18,372 acres
Lake Keowee
A deep, clear Duke Energy reservoir in the foothills of upstate South Carolina, between Seneca and Salem. It is best known for spotted bass, blueback herring and very clean water.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Spotted Bass
The main bass here. Fish deep points and humps in fall and winter, vertical with blueback herring or jigging spoons.
Largemouth Bass
Docks, laydowns and creek arms. Shallow cranks and topwater at first light.
Catfish
Flatheads, channel and blue catfish hold deep. Cut or live herring works through winter.
Crappie
Brush piles and SCDNR fish attractors in the creeks. Small jigs and minnows.
Bluegill
Shallow coves and docks in late spring and summer.
Boat launches
7 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Mile Creek ParkPublicPickens County park ramp, 3 lanes, large parking lotDirections ↗
- High Falls County ParkPublicOconee County park with ramp and fishing pierDirections ↗
- South Cove County ParkPublicOconee County park near Seneca with ramp and ADA fishing pierDirections ↗
- Keowee Town AccessPublicPublic 2-lane ramp, Oconee CountyDirections ↗
- Fall Creek AccessPublicPublic 3-lane ramp, Oconee CountyDirections ↗
- Cane Creek AccessPublicPublic 2-lane ramp, Oconee CountyDirections ↗
- Lake Keowee MarinaMarina156 Keowee Marina Dr, Seneca. Marina with pumpoutDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Keowee are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Keowee OutdoorsNearbySenecaDirections ↗
- Jocassee Outfitters Fly ShopNearbySalemDirections ↗
Local tips
- The water is very clear, so use light line and downsize lures, especially in summer.
- Keowee has 17 SCDNR fish attractors; the coordinates are on the SCDNR Keowee page.
- Duke Energy moves water between Keowee and Jocassee, so check the Duke lake level page before launching at shallow ramps.
Lake MurrayLexington, Newberry, Richland & Saluda Counties · 50,000 acres
Lake Murray
Lake Murray sits just west of Columbia on the Saluda River. It is known for striped bass, largemouth bass tournaments, and crappie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Striped Bass
Troll or pull live herring on planer boards in cooler months.
Largemouth Bass
Fish docks and points with blueback herring patterns in spring.
Crappie
Fish brush piles and bridge pilings with minnows.
Blue Catfish
Deep channel edges. Fresh cut shad. Big fish in winter.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Dreher Island State ParkFeeSC State Parks near Prosperity; multiple concrete ramps, camping, park entry feeDirections ↗
- Larry Koon LandingPublicPublic landing off Shull Island Rd, Lexington; concrete ramps, restroomsDirections ↗
- Hilton Recreation AreaPublicPublic ramp off Wessinger Rd, Chapin; pier, restrooms, swimmingDirections ↗
- Lake Murray Dam landingPublicPublic ramp at the dam near Irmo; pier and shoreline fishingDirections ↗
- Rocky Point LandingPublicPublic concrete ramp off Amicks Ferry Rd, ChapinDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee SC DNR or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass (and hybrids) Oct 1-May 31 only; Jun 1-Sep 30 rules not confirmed. Other species not confirmed for Murray | 21 in | 5 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at South Carolina Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Lake WorldNearby1757 N Lake Dr, Lexington, SC(803) 957-6548Directions ↗
- Little River Landing Bait & TackleNearby4330 Hollywood Rd, Saluda, SC(864) 445-0030Directions ↗
- Dooley's Bait FarmNearby163 Newton Ct, Lexington, SC(803) 356-3403Directions ↗
Local tips
- Striped bass under 21 inches must be released from October through May.
- Summer stripers hold deep near the dam end, so use electronics to find them.
- Blueback herring are the main forage, so match that size and color.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.