Fishing in South Carolina: License, Top Spots & Regulations (2026)

South Carolina is a fishing state through and through. The Santee Cooper lake system put the state on the bass fishing map with its legendary striped bass and largemouth, and the tradition runs deep. Lake Murray near Columbia is one of the top bass lakes in the Southeast. The Lowcountry marshes and tidal creeks hold redfish, flounder, and speckled trout in numbers that draw anglers from across the country. The Myrtle Beach coast offers surf fishing, pier fishing, and offshore charters. And with a mild climate that barely freezes, you can fish productively every single month of the year. South Carolina also has some of the cheapest fishing licenses in the country, so there's no excuse not to wet a line.

Fishing License in South Carolina

Anyone 16 or older needs a fishing license to fish in South Carolina. Licenses are available online through the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) website, at sporting goods stores, and at most Walmart locations.

License Type	Cost	Valid For
Resident Freshwater	$10	Jul 1 - Jun 30
Resident Saltwater	$10	Jul 1 - Jun 30
Resident Combination (FW + SW)	$15	Jul 1 - Jun 30
Non-Resident Freshwater Annual	$35	Jul 1 - Jun 30
Non-Resident 7-Day	$11	7 days
Youth (under 16)	Free	N/A
Senior (64+ Resident)	Free	Lifetime
Non-Resident 14-Day Combination	$21	14 days

Age exemptions: Anglers under 16 fish free. South Carolina residents 64 and older get a free license. Active-duty military stationed in SC qualify for resident rates.

Special permits: Freshwater and saltwater licenses are separate, but a combination license is available at a discount. A saltwater fishing license is required for fishing in tidal waters. Additional stamps may be required for certain species during specific seasons.

Buy your license or check current fees on the SC Department of Natural Resources website.

Top 10 Fishing Spots in South Carolina

From the mountain reservoirs in the Upstate to the saltwater marshes of the Lowcountry, these are South Carolina's best fishing destinations.

1. Santee Cooper (Lakes Marion & Moultrie)

Reservoir

Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill

The legendary Santee Cooper system covers 171,000 acres and is one of the most famous fishing destinations in America. Lake Marion is the state's largest lake and holds trophy largemouth over 10 pounds. The landlocked striped bass fishery is historic - Santee Cooper is where the landlocked striper phenomenon was first documented. The catfish grow enormous, with blue cats over 60 pounds caught regularly. Crappie fishing in the standing cypress trees is a springtime tradition.

2. Lake Murray

Reservoir

Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Catfish, Crappie, Herring

Columbia's backyard lake and one of the top bass fisheries in the Southeast. Lake Murray covers 50,000 acres with over 500 miles of shoreline. The bass fishing is excellent year-round, with spring and fall producing the biggest fish. Striped bass over 40 pounds have been caught here. The herring runs in spring create a feeding frenzy that brings every predator in the lake to the surface. Multiple B.A.S.S. tournaments have been held at Murray.

3. Myrtle Beach Coast

Saltwater / Surf & Pier

Red Drum, Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Bluefish

The Grand Strand offers 60 miles of beach fishing along with several fishing piers. The Apache Pier and Cherry Grove Pier are top spots for king mackerel and red drum. Surf fishing from the beach produces flounder, whiting, and pompano. The fall red drum run brings slot-sized reds within casting distance of the sand. Offshore charters target everything from grouper to sailfish. Easy beach access makes this a great family fishing destination.

4. Charleston Harbor & Lowcountry Creeks

Saltwater / Inshore

Redfish, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead

The tidal creeks and marsh flats around Charleston are among the finest inshore saltwater fishing grounds on the East Coast. Sight-casting to tailing redfish on the flats is world-class. Flounder hold in the creek mouths and channel edges. Speckled trout school around oyster bars in fall. The sheepshead fishing around dock pilings and bridge structures is outstanding. Kayak fishing has become hugely popular in the shallow marsh systems.

5. Lake Jocassee

Reservoir

Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass

A deep, cold mountain reservoir in the Upstate with crystal-clear water. Lake Jocassee is South Carolina's premier trout lake - brown trout over 15 pounds are caught every year trolling deep with downriggers. The lake's cold water from mountain springs supports a unique trout fishery for the Southeast. Smallmouth bass along the rocky shoreline are a bonus. The waterfalls that flow into the lake make it one of the most scenic fishing spots in the state.

6. Clark Hill Lake (Strom Thurmond)

Reservoir

Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Crappie, Catfish

A 71,000-acre reservoir on the SC-Georgia border with excellent all-around fishing. The bass fishing is consistently good with less pressure than Murray or Santee Cooper. Striped bass provide open-water excitement. Crappie fishing in the creek arms during spring is some of the best in the state. The Georgia side gets more attention, leaving the South Carolina side less crowded.

7. Hilton Head Island

Saltwater / Inshore

Redfish, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Tarpon, Cobia

Hilton Head's marshes and tidal creeks offer excellent inshore fishing in a resort setting. Redfish are the main target, with fish over 30 inches caught on the flats. The flounder fishing in Port Royal Sound is outstanding. Tarpon show up in the sound during summer for a big-game opportunity most people don't associate with South Carolina. Multiple guide services offer half and full-day trips.

8. Lake Hartwell

Reservoir

Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Spotted Bass, Crappie

A large reservoir on the SC-Georgia border near Clemson. The spotted bass population has grown significantly and provides fast action on light tackle. Largemouth bass hold in the creek arms and around docks. Striped bass fishing is solid in the main lake. The lake hosts several major bass tournaments each year. Good public boat ramps and camping facilities make it an easy weekend destination.

9. Cooper River

River

Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Redfish

The Cooper River flows from the Santee Cooper diversion canal through the Lowcountry to Charleston Harbor. The freshwater-to-saltwater transition creates a unique fishery where you can catch freshwater bass and saltwater redfish on the same trip. Striped bass stack up below the dam in spring. The tailrace fishing for stripers and catfish is some of the most productive bank fishing in the state. Blue catfish over 50 pounds are caught in the deeper channels.

10. Lake Wateree

Reservoir

Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill

A Piedmont reservoir near Camden with excellent bass fishing and less pressure than the bigger-name lakes. The bass average good size thanks to abundant forage. Catfish in the river channels grow large. Spring crappie fishing in the brush piles is outstanding. The warm water discharge from the power plant creates a winter hotspot where bass stay active year-round. A solid all-around lake that flies under the radar.

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Popular Fish Species in South Carolina

South Carolina's warm climate and geographic diversity support excellent freshwater and saltwater fisheries year-round.

Species	Season	Size Limit	Bag Limit	Best Technique
Largemouth Bass	Year-round	14" (varies)	5/day	Plastic worms, jigs, topwater
Redfish	Year-round	15-23" slot	3/day	Live shrimp, cut mullet, gold spoons
Channel Catfish	Year-round	None	No limit	Cut bait, chicken liver, worms
Striped Bass	Year-round	21" (varies)	5/day (varies)	Live herring, trolling, topwater
Flounder	Year-round (saltwater)	15"	5/day	Live minnows, Gulp baits, bucktails
Crappie	Year-round	None	30/day	Minnows, small jigs, spider rigs
Speckled Trout	Year-round	14"	10/day	Live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater
Blue Catfish	Year-round	None	No limit	Cut shad, live bait, trotlines

Seasonal Fishing Calendar

South Carolina's mild winters mean fishing stays productive year-round. Here's what bites best each month.

Species	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Largemouth Bass	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Good
Redfish	-	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	-
Striped Bass	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	-	-	-	Good	Peak	Peak	Good
Catfish	-	-	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	-	-
Flounder	-	-	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	-	-
Crappie	-	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	-	-	-	-	Good	Good	-

Fishing Regulations in South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources manages fishing regulations. Rules vary between freshwater and saltwater and can change by specific body of water.

Fishing hours: Fishing is legal 24 hours a day in most public waters.
Rod limit: Anglers may use up to 5 poles per person in freshwater. Saltwater has no specific rod limit.
Live bait: Live bait is allowed in most waters. Game fish may not be used as bait. Cast nets are legal for catching baitfish in both fresh and salt water.
Trotlines and juglines: Legal in freshwater with proper tagging. Limits apply on the number of hooks.
Catch and release: Some lakes have special bass regulations with slot limits. Check the SCDNR website for regulations specific to your chosen lake.
Saltwater rules: Redfish, flounder, and other marine species have specific size and bag limits. The red drum slot limit (15-23 inches with one over 23 inches allowed) is strictly enforced.

Always carry your current regulations booklet. Download the official PDF from the SC Department of Natural Resources regulations page.

Tips for Fishing in South Carolina

Fish the Santee Cooper crappie spawn

From mid-February through April, crappie move into the standing cypress trees and flooded brush on Lake Marion to spawn. The fishing is incredible - 50-fish days are common. Use minnows or small jigs on long poles to reach into the trees. Spider rigs (multiple rods mounted on the bow) are the preferred method. The fish concentrate in predictable areas, so once you find them, you'll load up.

Sight-cast for Lowcountry reds

The tidal flats around Charleston, Beaufort, and Hilton Head offer world-class sight-fishing for redfish. On low-tide flats, reds tail in ankle-deep water chasing fiddler crabs. Gold spoons and live shrimp are the top baits. The best months are September through November when the water clears up. A shallow-draft boat or kayak is essential for accessing the skinny water. Polarized sunglasses are mandatory.

Chase the spring striper run

Striped bass migrate upriver to spawn from February through April on the Cooper, Santee, and Wateree rivers. The tailrace fishing below the dams is outstanding - bank anglers and boaters alike do well. Live herring or shad are the baits of choice. The fish are aggressive and can exceed 30 pounds. This is the most exciting freshwater fishing of the year in South Carolina.

Fish piers for king mackerel

The fishing piers at Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove, and Apache Pier produce king mackerel from April through October. The technique is unique - slow-trolling a live bait or cigar minnow on a long line from the pier. When a big king hits, the chaos of clearing other lines is part of the fun. Kings over 30 pounds are caught from the piers every season.

Night fish for catfish in summer

South Carolina's lakes and rivers hold trophy blue and flathead catfish. The best fishing is at night during the hottest months. The Santee Cooper system, Cooper River, and Wateree River are top spots. Cut shad and live bluegill are the premier baits. Set up on a deep channel edge or near a river bend and wait for the big bite. Blue cats over 50 pounds are caught every summer.

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