--- title: "Charleston Fishing" url: https://www.herecharleston.com/fishing-charleston-sc/ date: 2026-06-14T23:24:47+00:00 modified: 2026-06-14T23:50:23+00:00 author: "" site: "HERE Charleston" attribution: "HERE Charleston" --- # Charleston Fishing *Source: [HERE Charleston](https://www.herecharleston.com/fishing-charleston-sc/) β€” June 14, 2026 by * HERE Charleston # Charleston Fishing Report Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, SC DNR regulations, and community fishing coverage for Charleston County lakes and rivers. Bass: Active Crappie: Active Catfish: Hot 5 Waters Profiled **5** Waters Profiled **Live** Conditions **Solunar** Rating **2026** Season First Look β€’ Fishing Conditions πŸŒ‘ New Moon Illumination: 100% Air Temp 79Β°F Est. Water 84Β°F Wind 7 mph Pressure 1012 as of 1:15 AM ET Excellent β€” new moon triggers peak feeding activity. Fish are most aggressive near dawn and dusk. 100 EXCELLENT Excellent bite conditions. Get on the water at first light. Charleston County β€’ Lowcountry SC Your Local *Fishing Resource* HERE Charleston is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and SC DNR regulations across Charleston County. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip. Current Conditions β€’ Charleston Waters Species *Status* Largemouth Bass ACTIVE Summer pattern β€” fish deep structure early and late. Frog fishing on lily pads productive at dawn. **Top Bait**Finesse Jig, Drop Shot **Depth**15-25 ft midday Smallmouth Bass HOT Prime smallmouth season on area rivers. Rocky shoals hold feeding fish. **Top Bait**Tube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig **Depth**Shoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft Crappie ACTIVE Pre-spawn or fall pattern. Crappie suspending over deeper structure. **Top Bait**Small Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float **Depth**12-20 ft brush Catfish HOT Catfish are highly active in warm water. Night fishing from bank is excellent β€” cut shad and chicken liver. **Top Bait**Cut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait **Depth**Channel edges, 10-30 ft Bluegill / Bream HOT Bluegill on the bed β€” largest fish of the year on spawning colonies in 1-4 ft gravel flats. Cricket fishing is magic. **Top Bait**Cricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz) **Depth**Spawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft Trout SLOW No summer trout stocking. Trout season paused β€” check for next stocking dates. **Top Bait**PowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner **Depth**Stocked areas β€” designated lakes and streams Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Charleston County waters. Always verify SC DNR regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out. [Report a Bite Update](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-bite-update) Fishing Report Partners [Dick's Sporting Goods](https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/c/fishing) [Bass Pro Shops](https://www.basspro.com) [REI Co-op](https://www.rei.com/c/fishing) [Academy Sports](https://www.academy.com/fishing) First Look Weather & *Fishing Conditions* 79F Clear Feels like 83Β°F as of 1:15 AM ET Wind 7 mph WSW Humidity 94% Pressure 1012 hPa Est. Water Temp 84Β°F Moon New Moon Sunrise / Sunset 10:09 am / 12:30 am Location Charleston, SC On-the-Water Tips - Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move β€” work moving baits and cover water quickly. - New and full moons are the best fishing phases. Solunar peak periods fall near sunrise and sunset β€” be on the water at first light. Solunar Index Fishing *Conditions Dashboard* Air Temperature 79Β°F Optimal Bite Wind Speed 7 mph Light Breeze Barometric Pressure 1012 hPa Falling β€” Feeding! Moon Phase πŸŒ‘ Prime EXCELLENT Excellent bite conditions. Get on the water at first light. Extended Outlook 5-Day Fishing *Forecast* TODAY Mostly Sunny 94Β° / 76Β° 11 mph wind β€’ 0% humidity FAIR TUE Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 88Β° / 74Β° 11 mph wind β€’ 0% humidity SLOW WED Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 88Β° / 77Β° 12 mph wind β€’ 0% humidity SLOW THU Mostly Sunny 91Β° / 79Β° 14 mph wind β€’ 0% humidity FAIR JUN Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 91Β° / 76Β° 15 mph wind β€’ 0% humidity SLOW Lakes & Rivers Water Body *Profiles* 5 fishing waters within Charleston County β€” with species, access, tips, and restrictions. Lake Wylie 13,443 DUKE ENERGY RESERVOIR Rock Hill / Clover, SC β€” Charlotte Metro Striped Bass Spotted Bass Largemouth Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill Lake Wylie is the premier fishery in Charleston County β€” a 13,443-acre Catawba River impoundment with 32 miles of South Carolina shoreline. The striped bass fishery is exceptional, with trophy fish caught year-round near the Wylie Dam tailrace. Spotted bass and crappie are the bread-and-butter species for local anglers. The lake straddles the NC/SC state line, providing year-round fishing variety. Multiple public ramps including Buster Boyd Bridge, Ebenezer Park boat ramp, and Allison Creek boat ramp. Duke Energy maintains shoreline access. SC fishing license required. Angler Tip Target striped bass near the dam tailrace in winter and early spring using live shad or large swimbaits. For crappie, work the deep dock lines and brush piles from Allison Creek south toward the dam in spring. Spotted bass hold on rocky points and rip-rap along the bridges β€” work crankbaits parallel to the bank. SC DNR statewide regulations. Duke Energy shoreline rules apply. Check current striped bass slot limits. Field Guide Coming Soon Catawba River Tailwater Fishery RIVER β€” TAILWATER Below Wylie Dam, Rock Hill / Fort Mill area Striped Bass Smallmouth Bass Catfish Largemouth Bass The Catawba River tailwater below Wylie Dam is one of the best striper fisheries in the Southeast β€” cold, oxygenated water from the dam creates year-round trophy conditions. Smallmouth bass hold in the rocky shoals downstream. Catfish are abundant throughout. The river is accessible by boat or wade fishing from multiple access points between Rock Hill and the Landsford Canal State Park area. Landsford Canal State Park boat ramp and fishing access on the Catawba. Multiple wade fishing access points off US-21 south of Rock Hill. Kayak launch available at Nation Ford Road area. Angler Tip Spring through early summer is peak time for stripers below Wylie Dam β€” schooling fish chase shad in the main channel. Use live shad, cut shad, or large white bucktail jigs. Smallmouth concentrate in the rocky shoals near Landsford Canal β€” work crawfish-pattern tube jigs along the bottom. SC DNR statewide regulations. Check current Catawba River striped bass regulations β€” special slot limits may apply below Wylie Dam. Field Guide Coming Soon Fishing Creek Reservoir 3,390 DUKE ENERGY RESERVOIR Chester / York County line, SC Largemouth Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill Bream Fishing Creek Reservoir is a 3,390-acre Catawba River impoundment south of Rock Hill managed by Duke Energy. The lake is known for quality largemouth bass and excellent crappie fishing around the abundant dock structures and coves. Less pressured than Lake Wylie, it offers anglers a quieter, productive alternative within Charleston County reach. Fishing Creek Reservoir Park boat ramp off SC-72/SC-9 in Chester County. Duke Energy shoreline management. SC fishing license required. Angler Tip Crappie spawn in the shallow coves and around dock pilings in March and April when water temps reach 58-65Β°F. Work 1/16 oz jigs and small minnows at 4-8 feet. Largemouth bass hold on the deeper timber edges β€” Texas-rig a plastic worm and work the submerged structure at 12-18 feet in summer. SC DNR statewide regulations. Duke Energy shoreline rules apply. Field Guide Coming Soon Cedar Creek Reservoir ~1,000 RESERVOIR York County / Chester County area Largemouth Bass Bream Catfish Crappie Cedar Creek Reservoir is a productive largemouth bass and bream fishery in the Charleston County area. The lake features abundant shallow-water structure including fallen timber, cattail edges, and lily pad flats that hold largemouth throughout the season. Bream fishing with crickets or small jigs is exceptional during the spawn in May and June. Check current public access points β€” launch access may require contacting property managers. SC fishing license required. Angler Tip Work topwater lures and frogs along the lily pad edges at dawn for explosive largemouth strikes in summer. Bream spawn on shallow hard-bottom areas near points and creek mouths in late May β€” a small spinner or cricket under a bobber produces consistent catches. Catfish are abundant in the deeper channel areas at night. SC DNR statewide regulations apply. Field Guide Coming Soon Wateree Lake 13,710 DUKE ENERGY RESERVOIR Kershaw / Lancaster / Fairfield Counties β€” south of Rock Hill Hybrid Striped Bass Striped Bass Crappie Largemouth Bass Catfish Lake Wateree is a 13,710-acre Catawba River impoundment approximately 45 miles south of Rock Hill β€” a day-trip destination for serious anglers. The hybrid striped bass fishery is among the best in South Carolina, with fish regularly exceeding 10 lbs. Crappie fishing around the dock structures and standing timber is excellent. The lake also hosts major tournament circuits for largemouth bass. Wateree State Park boat ramp and campground. Multiple public ramps maintained by Duke Energy. SC fishing license required. Angler Tip Hybrid stripers school in open water over the channel in fall β€” find the baitfish schools on your depth finder and you will find the hybrids. Umbrella rigs and large swimbaits are the go-to presentations. For crappie, work the standing timber in 12-20 feet of water with live minnows or 2-inch tube jigs year-round. SC DNR statewide regulations. Check current hybrid striped bass regulations at dnr.sc.gov. Field Guide Coming Soon Did We Miss a Spot? Know a Charleston-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know. [Report a Fishing Spot](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-fishing-spot) Local Experts Field *Guides* Hire a local fishing guide and put your line on the right water in Charleston. Expert captains who know Charleston County waters. CP Cliff Pitts Veteran Lake Wylie guide specializing in striped bass and crappie. Lake Wylie Catawba River [(803) 555-0100](tel:8035550100) Guide Service or Charter Captain? Get listed in the Field Guides section and reach active anglers across Charleston County and the HERE City Network. [List Your Guide Service](/contact/) [Launch Special$1 a day for up to 90 days β€” Best deal in Charleston Reach all the Fishing traffic in Charleston β€” it’s a deal! Find out how](#fr-banner-form) Launch Special Your Banner *Here* $1/day Up to **90 days** at the launch rate. Cancel anytime. - Drop us your website URL β€” we build the banner for you - Runs above the **Community Reviews** section - No contract. No setup fee. Cancel anytime. - Local Charleston anglers see your business every visit Your Name * Business Name * Website URL * Email * Phone (optional) How long would you like to reserve it? Daily $1 Weekly $7 30 days $30 60 days $60 90 days $90 Lock in $1/day β€” Build my banner No payment now. We email a preview within one business day. Your launch rate is locked when you approve. Community Reviews I Fished *Here* Share Your Trip Fished a Charleston-area lake or river? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer. Water Body Fished * Select a water body... Lake Wylie Catawba River Fishing Creek Reservoir Cedar Creek Reservoir Wateree Lake Other Lake / Pond Other River / Creek Your First Name * How Was the Fishing? * (280 characters max) Species Caught Select species... Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Crappie Catfish Bluegill / Bream Trout Multiple Species Other Lure / Bait That Worked Best Spot / Area on the Water Submit Review Community Here *We...* Reel Them *In...* Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Charleston anglers. Your First Name * Where Did You Catch It? Species * Select species... 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[View All Charleston Fishing Coverage β†’](/tag/fishing-herecharleston-sc/) More at Outdoor Sports Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Charleston and Lowcountry SC [See All at Outdoor Sports](/outdoor-sports/) Partner [Advertise Here](/section-sponsorship/) Tackle, Rods and Reels Essential *Gear HERE* Gear reviews and picks for the Charleston angler β€” rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Lowcountry SC waters. Presented by https://www.amazon.com/?tag=here09d-20 Shop our hand-picked fishing gear on Amazon. Free Prime shipping, easy returns. [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=fishing) Gear Reviews β€” Tested for Lowcountry SC Waters As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088K2K149?tag=here09d-20 Fishing Rod Holder Smart Fish Catcher Fishing Pole Holders Automatic Spring Tip-Up Hook with… Rod Hand-picked by the HERE Fishing desk this week. 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Garmin Striker Cast, Castable Sonar, Pair with Mobile Device and Cast from Anywhere, Reel in…. β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† 4.6 / 5 $129.99 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Fishing desk [View on Amazon β†’](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LDZWMKF?tag=here09d-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BD7YYBJ?tag=here09d-20 Deeper PRO+ 2 Sonar Fish Finder - Portable Fish Finder and Depth Finder For Kayaks, Boats an… Fish Finder Hand-picked by the HERE Fishing desk this week. Deeper PRO+ 2 Sonar Fish Finder - Portable Fish Finder and Depth Finder For Kayaks, Boats an…. β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† 4.6 / 5 $159.99 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Fishing desk [View on Amazon β†’](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BD7YYBJ?tag=here09d-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPMC52G7?tag=here09d-20 Chasing Gladius MINI S Upgraded Professional Underwater Drone Set, with 4k Resolution + EIS … Fishing Gear Hand-picked by the HERE Fishing desk this week. Chasing Gladius MINI S Upgraded Professional Underwater Drone Set, with 4k Resolution + EIS …. β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† 4.6 / 5 $1399.00 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Fishing desk [View on Amazon β†’](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPMC52G7?tag=here09d-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FL28MMF9?tag=here09d-20 【2025 New】FIFISH V-EVO 4K60FPS Underwater Drone with Robotic Arm, with Removable SD Card, QY… Fishing Gear Hand-picked by the HERE Fishing desk this week. 【2025 New】FIFISH V-EVO 4K60FPS Underwater Drone with Robotic Arm, with Removable SD Card, QY…. β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† 4.6 / 5 $1699.00 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Fishing desk [View on Amazon β†’](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FL28MMF9?tag=here09d-20) Tackle Shop, Guide Service, or Marina? Get featured in the Essential Gear section and reach active anglers across the HERE City Network β€” 100+ cities. [Learn About Gear Advertising](/contact/) South Carolina DNR SC DNR *Regulations* License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Charleston County waters. Always verify current regulations at dnr.sc.gov. SC Fishing Licenses SC Resident Annual Age 16+ required to fish all public waters $10.00 SC Resident Senior (65+) Reduced rate for SC residents age 65 and over $5.00 Non-Resident Annual Required for all non-SC residents age 16+ $35.00 Non-Resident 3-Day Short-term license for visiting anglers $11.00 Free Fishing Days May 25 (Memorial Weekend) and July 4 β€” no license required FREE Boating Permit (Lakes) Charleston Water / SJWD permit required for Lake Bowen, Blalock, Cooley, Lyman Varies Bag & Size Limits β€” Charleston Waters Largemouth Bass 5 combined black bass **Min Size:**No statewide minimum; 14" on Lake Blalock and select lakes Per SC DNR eRegulations. Combined limit includes smallmouth, redeye, spotted. Smallmouth Bass See black bass limit **Min Size:**12" minimum statewide Per SC Code 50-13-210. Pacolet and Tyger rivers included in 5-fish combined. Crappie (Black & White) 20 per day **Min Size:**8" minimum statewide Per SC Code 50-13-220. 8-inch size limit effective 2012. Blue Catfish 25 per day **Min Size:**Only 2 fish over 32" per person Per SC DNR eRegulations. Lake Edwin Johnson: 3 catfish creel limit. Bluegill / Bream 30 per day statewide **Min Size:**No minimum Per SC DNR eRegulations. Lake Edwin Johnson: 10 bream creel limit. Redbreast sunfish: 15/day separately. Trout (all species) 5 per day trout season **Min Size:**No minimum (stocked) Stocking schedule posted by SC DNR each season Special Rules & Alerts for Charleston Waters - **Lake Bowen & Blalock:** Boating permit required from Charleston Water. Gas motor HP restrictions β€” check current Charleston Water rules before launching. - **Lake Blalock Special:** 14-inch minimum size for black bass. 5 combined black bass daily limit. Check closure status after Hurricane Helene impacts. - **Lake Craig & Edwin Johnson:** No gasoline engines β€” electric trolling motors only. Lake Edwin Johnson also enforces SC DNR creel limits: 10 bream, 3 bass, 3 catfish. - **Free Fishing Days 2026:** May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) and July 4 β€” no fishing license required on these two days. - **Rivers (Pacolet, Tyger, Lawson's Fork):** Statewide creel limits apply. No boating permits required. SC DNR fishing license required for anglers 16+. Regulations shown are for general reference. Always verify current rules with the SC Department of Natural Resources at **dnr.sc.gov** or by calling the SC DNR Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Municipal reservoir rules (Charleston Water, SJWD) are set separately from SC DNR. Spawn Timing & Key Dates Season *Calendar* SC DNR stocks May-June annually SC DNR stocks November-January Bottom fishing with cut bait Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Charleston County water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. SC DNR trout stocking schedules are published annually β€” visit dnr.sc.gov for exact dates and stocking locations. Questions and Answers Fishing *FAQ* Common questions about fishing in the Charleston area, answered. - Do I need a fishing license to fish in Charleston SC? Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a SC fishing license to fish public waters in Charleston County. SC residents pay $10 for an annual freshwater license. Non-residents pay $35 annually or $11 for a 3-day license. Licenses are available at SC DNR.sc.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days β€” May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 β€” require no license. - What are the best fishing lakes near Charleston SC? Charleston County has four public fishing lakes. Lake Bowen (1,534 acres) near Inman is the largest and best for largemouth bass and crappie. Lake Blalock (1,200 acres) near Chesnee is excellent for crappie around the bridge pilings and Buck's Creek. Lake Cooley (330 acres) is the clearest and holds the county's biggest crappie. Lake Lyman (500 acres) produces high numbers of smaller crappie. Lake Craig and Lake Edwin Johnson offer peaceful fishing with electric motors only. All municipal lakes require a boating permit from Charleston Water or SJWD. - When is the best time to fish for crappie in Charleston? The best crappie fishing in Charleston County is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. Lake Cooley is the top pick for big crappie during the spawn. Lake Blalock's bridge area and stump flats near the dam are also productive. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools. - Can you kayak fish on Charleston County lakes? Yes β€” kayak fishing is well-suited for Charleston lakes, especially the smaller electric-only lakes. Lake Craig at Croft State Park offers kayak and canoe rentals ($5 for 2 hours) β€” you can bring your own or rent on-site with no boating permit required for human-powered craft. The Pacolet River and Tyger River system are excellent for kayak fishing β€” both offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. The Pacolet River Blueway (50+ miles) includes multiple put-in and take-out points. Electric-only rules at Lake Edwin Johnson also make it kayak-ideal. - What species can I catch in the Pacolet and Tyger Rivers? The Pacolet River is Charleston's best-kept secret β€” a diverse bass fishery with largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, and flathead) are abundant. The Tyger River system features smallmouth bass introduced by SC DNR, Alabama bass, Bartram's bass, largemouth, and various sunfish. Both rivers offer excellent catch-and-release bass fishing exceeding 18 inches. Fly fishing for bass on subsurface patterns is particularly productive on the Pacolet near Glendale Shoals. Access multiple road crossings for wade fishing or run float trips by kayak. - Do Charleston lakes get trout stocked? SC DNR stocks select Charleston County waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the SC DNR website at dnr.sc.gov β€” search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current SC DNR schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Charleston. Lake Edwin Johnson (managed by SC DNR) has historically received stocking β€” verify current status with SC DNR. ITS ALL HERE! Fishing News Near You![THE HERE CITY NETWORK](https://www.herecity.com)[Augusta, GA](https://hereaugusta.com/fishing/) [Columbia, SC](https://herecolumbia.com/fishing/) [Greenwood, SC](https://heregreenwood.com/fishing/) [Spartanburg, SC](https://herespartanburg.com/fishing/) [Greenville, SC](https://heregreenville.com/fishing/) [Rock Hill, SC](https://hererockhill.com/fishing/) [Hilton Head, SC](https://herehiltonhead.com/fishing/) [Charleston, SC](https://herecharleston.com/fishing/)