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72°F Mostly Cloudy · Charleston
CHARLESTON, SC · LOWCOUNTRY EDITION · SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026
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Charleston SC
Fishing
News

Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, SC DNR regulations, and community fishing coverage for Charleston County lakes and rivers.

Redfish: Hot Bite Speckled Trout: Active Flounder: Hot Bite
5 Waters Profiled
Live Conditions
Solunar Rating
2026 Season
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌒
Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 6%
86°F
84°F
6 mph
1017
as of 10:35 AM ET
Good — increasing moonlight; fish feed actively in the morning and evening hours.
88
EXCELLENT
Excellent bite conditions. Get on the water at first light.
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.

Weather & Fishing Conditions
86F
Clear
Feels like 97°F
as of 10:35 AM ET
Wind 6 mph WSW
Humidity 74%
Pressure 1017 hPa
Water Temp 84°F
Live surface water temp from NOAA Station 8665530 (Charleston Harbor).
Moon Waxing Crescent
Sunrise / Sunset 7:01 am / 7:30 pm
Location Charleston, SC
On-the-Water Tips
  • Hot air temps push fish deep. Fish 12-20 ft ledges and structure in the heat of the day. Early morning and evening are your windows.
  • Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations.
  • Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly.
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
86°F
Warm — Fish Deep
Wind Speed
6 mph
Calm — Ideal
Barometric Pressure
1017 hPa
Falling — Feeding!
Moon Phase
🌒
Good
EXCELLENT
Excellent bite conditions. Get on the water at first light.
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TODAY
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
90° / 76°
7 mph wind
SLOW
MON
Sunny
92° / 76°
5 mph wind
FAIR
TUE
Mostly Sunny
85° / 71°
16 mph wind
FAIR
WED
Sunny
84° / 71°
13 mph wind
FAIR
THU
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
84° / 73°
12 mph wind
SLOW
Water Body Profiles
5 fishing waters within Charleston County — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Charleston Harbor
Estuary SALTWATER ESTUARY
Downtown Charleston, SC
Red Drum Spotted Seatrout Sheepshead Black Drum Flounder Tarpon Spanish Mackerel

The confluence of the Ashley, Cooper and Wando rivers with the Atlantic — a mixed-salinity estuary framed by oyster bars, marsh grass, deep-channel structure, jetties and the Ravenel Bridge pilings. Redfish, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, black drum, flounder and seasonal tarpon and Spanish mackerel all use the harbor.

Remley's Point Public Boat Landing (J. Mitchell Graham Memorial), 298 5th Ave, Mount Pleasant; 3-lane ramp, 2 courtesy docks, fishing pier, paved parking for 45 vehicle/trailers — direct access to the Wando and the harbor. Shem Creek Landing, end of Mill Street, Mt. Pleasant, on Shem Creek (Charleston County landing).

Angler Tip
HERE tip: work falling tide over harbor oyster bars — bait pushes off the shell and redfish stack in ambush on the down-current edge, particularly the 18–25" slot fish.
Wando River
Tidal River SALTWATER — TIDAL RIVER
Mount Pleasant, SC — north side of Charleston Harbor
Red Drum Spotted Seatrout Flounder Sheepshead Black Drum

A tidal saltwater river feeding Charleston Harbor from the north — winding oyster bars, spartina grass lines and deep-cut bends. Prime redfish, seatrout, flounder and sheepshead water year-round with heavy inshore pressure from Mount Pleasant.

Claude M. Blanchard, Jr. (Paradise Island) Landing, end of County Road 1453, off US 17, on the Wando River. Remley's Point (see Charleston Harbor) sits at the mouth of the Wando.

Angler Tip
HERE tip: on a falling tide, position on grass-line ambush points where creek mouths dump onto the main river — redfish and seatrout will stage in the current break.
Cooper River
Tidal River RIVER — TIDAL / TAILRACE
North Charleston / Berkeley County
Striped Bass Red Drum Spotted Seatrout Black Drum Sheepshead Blue Crab Shrimp

Runs from the Pinopolis Dam tailrace at Lake Moultrie down to Charleston Harbor. The upper river is a freshwater striped-bass tailrace fishery; the lower reaches turn brackish and hold redfish, seatrout, black drum, sheepshead, blue crab and seasonal shrimp.

Ralph M. Hendricks (Virginia Avenue) Landing, Virginia Avenue, North Charleston, on the Cooper River. Bushy Park Landing (Berkeley Co.), Hwy SC 503, 0.6 miles north of County Road 29, on the Cooper and Back rivers.

Angler Tip
HERE tip: on the upper Cooper below the Pinopolis tailrace, throw white bucktails or drift live blueback herring at first light in fall through spring — the resident stripers stack in the current seams.
Stono / Folly
Tidal River / Inlet SALTWATER — TIDAL RIVER / INLET
James Island / Folly Beach, SC — south side of Charleston Harbor
Red Drum Spotted Seatrout Flounder Sheepshead Black Drum Tarpon Spanish Mackerel

The Stono River drains the marsh south of Charleston into Folly River and Folly Inlet — flooded spartina flats, deep tidal creeks, an inlet mouth and nearshore Atlantic access. One of the strongest inshore fisheries in the county for flood-tide redfish, seatrout, flounder, sheepshead and seasonal tarpon.

John P. Limehouse Landing, off County Road 20 (Main Road), Johns Island, on the Stono River. Battery Island (Sol Legare) Landing, end of County Road 632, Sol Legare Island, on the Stono River. John F. Seignious (Folly River) Landing, off State Road 171, Folly Beach, on the Folly River.

Angler Tip
HERE tip: fish flood-tide tailing redfish on the highest new-moon and full-moon tides — walk the Stono spartina flats sight-fishing tailing reds pushing crab off the grass.
Lake Moultrie
60,400 FRESHWATER RESERVOIR (SANTEE COOPER)
Berkeley County, north of Charleston, SC
Striped Bass Largemouth Bass Blue Catfish Crappie Bream

Berkeley County, north of Charleston in the Santee Cooper system. Species: striped bass, largemouth bass, blue catfish, crappie, bream.

Freshwater license required. General Moultrie II Landing, Bonneau (Berkeley County). The Hatchery Landing, Cross (Berkeley County).

Angler Tip
HERE tip: October and November stripers school on the surface chasing gizzard shad; jig 1–1½ oz spoons or drift live blueback herring on egg-sinker rigs.
Did We Miss a Spot?

Know a Charleston-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.

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Field Guides
Hire a local fishing guide and put your line on the right water in Charleston. Expert captains who know Charleston County waters.
RC
RedFin Charters
Inshore & nearshore charters out of downtown Charleston.
Charleston Harbor Wando River Stono / Folly
AI
All In One Charters
Inshore redfish and shark trips, Charleston area.
Charleston Harbor Stono / Folly
4S
4 Sons Charters
Inshore charters and youth fish camps, West Ashley.
Charleston Harbor Stono / Folly Wando River
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Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Charleston anglers.
Todd — Lake Moultrie
October morning out of General Moultrie II, birds working shad on the surface. Spoon under the school and it was on. Kept one in the slot, released the rest.
Striped Bass
Todd — Stono / Folly
Launched at Sol Legare, worked the grass edges on the last of the outgoing. Trout stacked up where the creek dumps in. Done before the tide went slack.
Speckled Trout
Todd — Charleston Harbor
Falling tide over the oyster bars off the harbor mouth, live shrimp on a jighead. Slot red, back in the water in under a minute.
Redfish
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Todd
Harbor side after a Remley's Point launch. Raw bar right on the water, ships going by, and the flounder is the fish you didn't catch.
Fleet Landing
Todd
Off the Folly River with the boat on the trailer, still in wet shoes. Roasted oysters in season, fried when they're not, marsh in every direction. No frills, and that's the point.
Bowens Island Restaurant
Todd
Tie up on Shem Creek and you're at the bar. Dolphins working the creek while you eat, boats coming in behind you. The right end to a morning on the harbor.
Red's Ice House
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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
Resident Freshwater — Annual
SCDNR freshwater. Age 16+. Rate through June 30, 2027.
$10.00
Resident Freshwater — 14-Day
Short-term freshwater option for SC residents.
$5.00
Resident Freshwater — 3-Year
3-year freshwater license, SC residents.
$30.00
Resident Saltwater — Annual
SCDNR saltwater. Required for Charleston Harbor, Wando, Cooper, Stono/Folly.
$15.00
Resident Saltwater — 14-Day
Short-term saltwater option for SC residents.
$10.00
Resident Saltwater — 3-Year
3-year saltwater license, SC residents.
$45.00
Resident Season Shrimp Baiting License & Tags
Required for shrimp baiting Sept 11 – Nov 9, 2026.
$25.00
Nonresident Freshwater — Annual
Non-SC residents, age 16+.
$35.00
Nonresident Freshwater — 14-Day
Short-term freshwater license for visiting anglers.
$11.00
Nonresident Freshwater — 3-Year
3-year freshwater license, non-SC residents.
$105.00
Nonresident Saltwater — Annual
Non-SC residents, age 16+.
$75.00
Nonresident Saltwater — 7-Day
Short-term saltwater option for visiting anglers.
$35.00
Nonresident Saltwater — 1-Day
Short-term saltwater option for visiting anglers.
$10.00
Nonresident Season Shrimp Baiting License & Tags
Required for shrimp baiting Sept 11 – Nov 9, 2026.
$500.00
Free Fishing Days 2027
Memorial Day (May 31, 2027) and July 4, 2027 — SC residents, freshwater only. Creel, size, and gear rules still apply (S.C. Code Title 50, Chapter 9).
FREE
Bag & Size Limits — Charleston Waters
Red Drum
1 per person per day (state waters), not to exceed 2 per boat per day
Min Size:18–25 in. TL slot
Possession prohibited in federal waters; rod & reel and gig only; no gigging Dec. 1–Feb. 28. Effective July 1, 2026 (Act No. 231).
Spotted Seatrout
10 per person per day
Min Size:14 in. TL
Rod & reel and gig only; no gigging Dec. 1–Feb. 28.
Flounder (Southern, Summer & Gulf)
5 per person per day, not to exceed 10 per boat per day
Min Size:16 in. TL
Hook and line or gig.
Sheepshead
10 per person per day, not to exceed 30 per boat per day
Min Size:14 in. TL
SCDNR statewide.
Black Drum
5 per person per day
Min Size:14–27 in. TL
SCDNR statewide.
Cobia
South of 032° 31.0' N (Jeremy Inlet, Edisto Island): 1 per person per day, not to exceed 3 per boat; north of that line and in federal waters: 1 per person, not to exceed 6 per boat
Min Size:36 in. FL
State waters rod & reel and gig only; closed May 1–31 in state waters south of 032° 31.0' N.
Blue Crab
1 US bushel per person per day, 2 US bushels per boat per day
Min Size:5 in. minimum carapace width (point to point)
Females carrying eggs (sponge) must be released unharmed.
Oysters
2 US bushels per person per day from public/state grounds; no more than 3 personal limits per boat/vehicle; recreational shellfish harvest limited to 2 days per 7-day period
Min Size:Typically closed May 16–Sept. 30
Call SCDNR at 843-953-9300 for exact dates.
Special Rules & Alerts for Charleston Waters
  • Charleston Harbor & inshore state waters: circle-hook requirement (non-stainless, non-offset) for natural bait on 4/0+ hooks when fishing cobia, red drum, spotted seatrout, tarpon, striped bass; effective July 1, 2026.
  • Wando River: saltwater regulations apply below the saltwater/freshwater dividing line; red drum, seatrout, striped bass, cobia and tarpon are gamefish and may not be sold.
  • Cooper River: recreational device caps (Berkeley & Charleston Cos.): 2 eel pots, 2 traps, 1 trotline with 50-hook max, 50 set hooks; not allowed upstream of Wadboo Creek.
  • Stono & Folly rivers: flounder cannot be gigged in salt waters during daylight hours; red drum and spotted seatrout gigging prohibited Dec. 1–Feb. 28.
  • Lake Moultrie (Santee Cooper): striped bass closed June 16–Sept. 30; when open (Oct. 1–June 15) 3 per day in the 23–25 in. slot with one fish over 26 in. allowed.
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.
Season Calendar
January
January
Cooper River tailrace catfish; Lake Moultrie striped bass season open (23–25" slot).
Cooper / Lake Moultrie
February
February
Sheepshead concentrate on nearshore reefs and bridges; flounder gigging closed Dec. 1–Feb. 28.
Nearshore / Estuary
March
March
Crab trawling with large-mesh trawls permitted through March 31 after the shrimp trawling season closes.
Statewide
April
April
Shrimping without bait closed Dec. 16–Apr. 30; opens May 1. Cobia arrive nearshore (present April–October).
Statewide / Nearshore
May
May
Cobia closed May 1–31 in state waters south of 032° 31.0' N. Free fishing day: Memorial Day, May 31, 2027 (freshwater, residents only).
Nearshore / Statewide
June
June
Santee Cooper striped bass season closes June 15 (closed June 16–Sept. 30). Tarpon arrive nearshore.
Lake Moultrie / Nearshore
July
July
Free fishing day July 4, 2027 (freshwater, residents only). Peak tarpon inshore.
Statewide / Inshore
August
August
White shrimp first caught recreationally in the creeks late July/early August.
Estuary
September
September
2026 shrimp baiting season opens Sept. 11 at noon; oyster season typically reopens Oct. 1 (closed May 16–Sept. 30). Fall redfish schools stage on the flats.
Statewide / Estuary
October
October
Santee Cooper striped bass season opens Oct. 1 (3 per day, 23–25" slot, one over 26"). Peak fall redfish. Best blue crab window (Oct.–Dec.).
Lake Moultrie / Estuary
November
November
2026 shrimp baiting season closes Nov. 9 at noon. Fall striper action continues on Santee Cooper.
Statewide / Lake Moultrie
December
December
Shrimping without bait closed Dec. 16–Apr. 30; flounder and red drum gigging closed Dec. 1–Feb. 28.
Statewide / Estuary
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 — visit dnr.sc.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Charleston area, answered.
  • Yes. Anyone 16 or older fishing from shore, a boat, a private dock, a free public dock, or while wading needs a SC saltwater recreational fishing license. Exceptions: a licensed public fishing pier, a licensed charter or headboat while under hire, 3 or fewer drop nets or fold-up traps, or 3 or fewer handlines when chicken-necking for crabs.
  • 1 per person per day, not to exceed 2 per boat per day, in the 18–25" total-length slot. Possession is prohibited in federal waters (3–200 miles). Effective July 1, 2026 (Act 231).
  • Sept. 11 (noon) through Nov. 9 (noon). Daily limit 48 quarts whole or 29 quarts headed per set of poles; 10 poles maximum per license per day, each marked with reflective tape and a numbered tag, no more than 1" in diameter, set within 100 linear yards. Resident shrimp baiting license $25; nonresident $500.
  • Shem Creek Landing (end of Mill Street, Mt. Pleasant) — Charleston County landing on Shem Creek, direct access to Charleston Harbor and the inshore creeks. Remley's Point Public Boat Landing (298 5th Ave, Mount Pleasant) is the larger alternative for harbor and Wando access — 3-lane ramp, 2 courtesy docks, fishing pier, 45-vehicle paved lot.
  • Oct. 1 through June 15. Daily limit 3 fish in the 23–25" slot, with one fish over 26" allowed. Closed June 16–Sept. 30.
  • The two 2026 dates (May 25 and July 4) have passed. SCDNR's 2026–2027 regulations list Memorial Day, May 31, 2027 and July 4, 2027 — for SC residents, freshwater only, with all size, creel, and gear rules still in force.