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.
More South Carolina lakes
Lake Hartwell Lake Keowee Lake Wylie Lake Wateree Lake Greenwood Lake Jocassee Lake Monticello Fishing Creek Reservoir All South Carolina lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.