Fishing in Santee Cooper Lake
Santee Cooper Country offers some of the best fishing in South Carolina. From South Carolina’s “Great Lakes”—Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie—to the Wateree River, anglers have plenty of opportunities to cast a line and reel in a trophy catch.
Championship Bass Fishing on the Santee Cooper Lakes
Known for outstanding bass fishing, the Santee Cooper lakes attract major fishing tournaments and anglers of all ages. In 2025, Bassmaster ranked the Santee Cooper lakes the Best Bass Lake in the Southeast and the fourth-best bass lake in the country.
The area’s reputation was on full display during the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Santee Cooper Lakes, held at John C. Land Landing in Summerton. Emmanuel College anglers Caleb Edwards and Jayden Lintner won the one-day event with an impressive 34-pound, 9-ounce bag.
What Can You Catch in Santee Cooper Country?
Have a particular fish in mind? There’s a good chance you can find it here. Santee Cooper Country is known for its excellent catfish fishing, including channel catfish weighing 20 pounds or more.
Bass anglers also have plenty to pursue. Striped bass fishing is popular during the spring and fall seasons, while largemouth bass can be caught year-round. With abundant fishing opportunities across Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, the Santee Cooper lakes are a premier South Carolina destination for anglers hoping to land a trophy-size bass.
Whether you’re competing in a tournament, planning a fishing getaway, or simply looking for a great place to spend a day on the water, Santee Cooper Country fishing offers something for anglers of every skill level.
Fishing Seasons and Limits for the Santee Cooper Lakes
Trying to figure out when to visit South Carolina’s “Great Lakes” to catch a big one? The good news is almost any time of the year is good due to our temperate weather. Just keep in mind the striped bass season is open only from October 1 to June 15. Additionally, be sure to check out the creel limits for the different fish the region has to offer. While each species has its own limits, no more than 40 game fish overall may be kept in one day.
Stay Lakeside.
If your idea of a five-star hotel is more like a night under the stars, look no further than Santee Cooper County, South Carolina, where we have a number of campgrounds and marinas.
Guide Services.
Local experts guide your fishing group to where the fish will bite. Choose from a range of species and set out to the water to learn from the best in our area.
Fishing Attractors.
Multiple buoys and boat ramps are charted for Lake Marion and Moultrie, making navigating to the best fishing holes much easier. Find a list of GPS coordinates and more information here.
Fishing Reports.
Every month our team updates the fishing report, with the help of our most experienced local captains and boat charter owners. Plan ahead and check back often!
Fishing Strategies & Licenses.
The lakes vary from shallow swamps and blackwater ponds to vast open water with many underwater structures. Find the best fishing strategies for each species and where to locate attractors.
Navigation.
The details you need to safely navigate the Santee Cooper Country waterways are available online, including the hours of operation for Pinopolis Lock.
