Photo: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain

South Carolina · Fishing

Fishing in South Carolina

142 spots9 townsUpdated dailyFree to access

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Fishing · 142 spots

Featured spots

Chattooga River (South Carolina Section)

riverWild Trout

Fly fishing

Chattooga River (South Carolina Section)

Tamassee, South Carolina

brown trout, rainbow trout

Stocked

Photo: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain

Pier fishing

Broyles

South Carolina

River fishing

Cherry Hill Campground

South Carolina

Surf fishing

Clarks Hill

CLARKS HILL, South Carolina

Surf fishing

Coneross Park

South Carolina

All spots · 142 spots

Lake fishing

Adams Pond

Columbia, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Airport Lagoon

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

River fishing

Andrew Pickens Ranger District

South Carolina

Lake fishing

Andrews Millpond

Lamar, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Apalachee Lake

Greer, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Balloon Lake

Gresham, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Barnnets Pond

Blythewood, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Bear Swamp

Gresham, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Becker Pond

Bennettsville, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Ben Pond

Dillon, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Berrys Millpond

South Carolina

Lake fishing

Betty Neck Swamp

Lugoff, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Bluebird Pond

JAMESTOWN, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Booths Pond

Dalzell, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Brady Pond

St. Matthews, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Bread and Butter Creek

GEORGETOWN, South Carolina

river

River fishing

Broad River (Sumter National Forest Section)

Union, South Carolina

smallmouth bass, largemouth bass

Lake fishing

Brooker Millpond

Swansea, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Browns Lake

Walhalla, South Carolina

Saltwater fishing

Buck Hall Recreation Area

McClellanville, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Buckhorn Lake

Greenville, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Burdens Deep Pond

Aiken, South Carolina

Lake fishing

Calhoun Falls State Park

South Carolina

Lake fishing

Camp Coker Pond

Society Hill, South Carolina

South Carolina's fishing options run the full range, from tidal saltwater access at Buck Hall Recreation Area near McClellanville to Piedmont reservoirs like Lake Murray near Columbia sitting at 360 feet elevation, to slow-moving blackwater rivers like the Waccamaw near Conway at just 30 feet above sea level. The state's 133 active fishing listings cover lake fishing, river fishing, and saltwater fishing, which means your target species and preferred water type will do more to shape your trip than geography alone. Largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel, and bream all show up across the listings, with the Waccamaw River specifically noted for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, catfish, and bream. Smaller impoundments and ponds — Greers Pond near Greenville, Lowthers Lake near Darlington, Flagpole Pond near Carolina Forest — give anglers without a boat a realistic shot at productive water. Lake Marion near Summerton and Lake Wateree near Winnsboro are among the larger stillwater options in the Midlands and Lowcountry. Whether you're planning a day trip from Columbia or building a longer itinerary around the coast near Edisto Island or the Pee Dee region near Georgetown, the variety here is genuine and the access points are spread across the state.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a South Carolina fishing license, and does it cover both freshwater and saltwater?

South Carolina requires a valid fishing license for most anglers, but freshwater and saltwater licenses are separate. If you plan to fish Lake Murray one day and then head to Buck Hall Recreation Area for saltwater fishing the next, you'll need coverage for both. Check the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources website for current license types, fees, and any exemptions that may apply to your situation.

What species can I realistically target in South Carolina's lakes and rivers?

Based on the listings, largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel, and bream are all present across the state's waters. Lake Murray near Columbia holds largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, and catfish. The Waccamaw River near Conway is specifically noted for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, catfish, and bream. Smaller ponds and lakes throughout the Midlands and Upstate tend to be good bets for bass and bream.

What skill level do I need for the Waccamaw River or Lake Murray?

Lake Murray is rated easy, making it a solid choice for beginners or anyone who wants a low-stress day on the water. The Waccamaw River near Conway is rated moderate, which generally means you should be comfortable reading moving water and handling a canoe or kayak in a river environment. Neither requires advanced technical skills, but the Waccamaw's current and vegetation will demand more attention than open reservoir fishing.

When is the best time of day to fish in South Carolina?

Early morning and late afternoon are consistently the most productive windows for bass and bream across South Carolina's lakes and rivers, particularly in warmer months when midday heat pushes fish into deeper or shaded water. On the Waccamaw River, fishing moving water during low-light periods also tends to produce better results for chain pickerel and largemouth. Saltwater spots like Buck Hall Recreation Area near McClellanville are more tide-dependent, so check local tide charts and plan around incoming or outgoing tides rather than time of day alone.

Are there fishing spots in South Carolina that don't require a boat?

Yes, a number of listings are accessible without a boat. Smaller ponds like Greers Pond near Greenville, Flagpole Pond near Carolina Forest, and various house ponds throughout the Midlands are typically bank-fishable. Surf and shoreline access exists at spots like Buck Hall Recreation Area near McClellanville. If bank access is a priority for you, look for listings tagged as lake fishing at smaller impoundments, which are more likely to have walkable shorelines than large reservoirs.

Keep exploring — more waters worth the drive

Lake Murray

~5 min drive

Easy

Saluda River (Below Lake Murray Dam)

~9 min drive

Moderate

Oswald Pond

~13 min drive