Fishing

State parks provide access to some of the best fishing lakes in South Carolina. 

From fishing piers and jetties to lakeshores and riverbanks, state parks have settings for memorable fishing trips.

Need to know more about fishing at state parks?  Check in with Ranger Richburg below.

Fishing with Ranger Richburg

October - December

Well, the weather is cooling down and the fish are biting!

If you are up for some fresh water fishing, October is a great time to catch crappie in not only our larger park lakes, but also in Parks such as Lake Warren, Barnwell, and Cheraw. Try drift fishing jigs or grass shrimp (if you can find them). Drift over the creek beds or holes for the best results.

As the water cools, remember to head to your mountain parks such as Table Rock and Devils Fork and fish for trout. Many have been caught using bright colored spinners and dough baits. Florescent colors and baits with glitter added seem to work the best. Fish the dough bait either under a cork or straight on the bottom. Both of these parks have large trout. One young lady caught a 23 inch trout while I was at Table Rock.

Good luck and keep on reelin',

Ranger Richburg

Got a tip for Ranger Richburg or a subject you'd like him to touch on?  Send an email with your ideas and they will be featured here!

Here are some questions our readers have asked Ranger Richburg:

Ranger Richburg,

If I bring my jon boat does it have to be registered?

As long as your jon boat is propelled only by human power, it does not have to be registered. If it propelled by any device such as a motor or sails, it must be registered.
For any other questions regarding registration, check out SCDNR's specific regulations regarding boats.

Ranger Richburg,

Do you have to have a fishing license if fishing on the Myrtle Beach pier?

Thanks for choosing to visit a South Carolina State Park.

You will not need a fishing license to fish from the pier at Myrtle Beach State Park. The fee to fish from the pier is nominal $4.50 per person, age 11 and over. You can bring your own fishing equipment or use theirs. They do sell bait at the pier along with snacks, drinks, and other items. According to Cheryl, fishermen have been catching whiting, mackerel, pompano, and snapper from the pier, so it sounds like you stand a good chance of catching supper!

Good luck and let me know how you do!

Dear Ranger Richburg,

A friend of mine told me that a fishing license is not needed in SC State Parks. Is this true? Are there places in SC that you can fish without a license?

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resource regulations state that if you are fishing in a private pond you do not have to have a license, unless it is a commercial pay pond that is not permitted by DNR.

Although many of our parks have ponds or lakes that lie totally within the boundaries of the park, they are still considered public fishing lakes and do require a license. You can find license at many retail outlets or you can go to SCDNR's website and purchase a license online.

Dear Ranger Richburg,
We're new to the state and my husband's a flyfisherman. Where are the best state parks to pursue that hobby? 

Welcome to the best state in the U.S. (although I may be a little partial!).

Fly fishing can be enjoyed in any of our parks containing creeks, rivers, ponds, or lakes. With the variety of fish species that we have throughout South Carolina, he should be able to catch fish about anywhere. A few examples are Caesars Head or Devils Fork for trout, Dreher Island or Santee for stripers when they are chasing shad in the spring and fall, and Lake Warren or N.R. Goodale for bluegill bream.

Another fun thing he may want to try is flyfishing on the larger lakes day or night when the mayflies are hatching. I've caught them around the old 301 bridge on Santee (Lake Marion) during the mayfly hatch until I was tired of catching them. I've also caught catfish on topwater around the rocks under the bridge. Also try around lighted piers. The bream are feeding all night on the hatchlings. Try not only floating flies but sinking as well. White flies or black flies will work.

Let me know how he does and good luck!!

What is the peak time for bream and bass at Santee Cooper?

Thanks for sending in a great question.

My favorite time to fish Santee for bream is during May and June while the bream and shell cracker are bedding. Late June and July (once they come off the bed) can also be great for shell cracker in the diversion canal fishing on the bottom. Bass can also be good during these same times. Once they come off the bed, they are aggresively looking for food. One of my favorite spots is in the upper lake in the flats across from Stump Hole and Low Falls Landings.

If you should have any other questions, please feel free to let me know.

Good luck!