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Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing

Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing

Santee Cooper Lakes consists of Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie. Approval for constructing the lakes came from the New Deal, which was a series of programs enacted in the 30s. Santee Cooper, a utility company in South Carolina, led construction of the lakes. At the time, this project was the largest land-clearing initiative in the country's history. Over 177,000 acres of swamp and forest were cleared to create the lakes. Lake Marion covers 110,000 acres and has a shoreline of 315 miles, spanning over five counties. The surrounding area consists of a river valley landscape for breathtaking views during your fishing trip. Lake Moultrie is 60,000 acres with more than half of its shoreline in dams and dikes. There are boat ramps, marinas and campgrounds at the lakes as well.

Santee Cooper Lakes fishing can easily keep you busy catching largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white perch. A record 58-pound channel catfish and five-pound black crappie were caught at Lake Moultrie. Other types of fish you can target while Santee Cooper Lakes fishing are striped bass, bream and bluegill. Striped bass found their way into Lake Marion to spawn and ended up trapped there upon completion of the Santee River dam. They adapted to the freshwater and continue to thrive here. Summer is the best season for catfish fishing at Santee Cooper Lakes. You could catch a 20-pounder or aim to break one of the lake records. Bass and crappie are great to target any time of the year. For striped bass, spring and winter are the seasons you'll want to plan your Santee Cooper Lakes fishing trip.



Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Forecast

Target Species of Fish

Based on historical data for fishing Santee Cooper Lakes, you should target one of the following species for this time of year:
  1. Bluespotted Sunfish

  2. Bluespotted Sunfish

    There is a 15.57% catch rate for Bluespotted Sunfish, based on 33 Bluespotted Sunfish counted.

    Santee Cooper Lakes Bluespotted Sunfish Counts Chart
    Bluespotted

    ENLARGE SANTEE COOPER LAKES BLUESPOTTED SUNFISH COUNTS CHART


  3. American Shad

  4. American Shad

    There is a 14.15% catch rate for American Shad, based on 30 American Shad counted.

    Santee Cooper Lakes American Shad Counts Chart
    American

    ENLARGE SANTEE COOPER LAKES AMERICAN SHAD COUNTS CHART


  5. Spotted Sunfish

  6. Spotted Sunfish

    There is a 11.32% catch rate for Spotted Sunfish, based on 24 Spotted Sunfish counted.

    Santee Cooper Lakes Spotted Sunfish Counts Chart
    Spotted

    ENLARGE SANTEE COOPER LAKES SPOTTED SUNFISH COUNTS CHART


  7. Bluegill

  8. Bluegill

    There is a 9.43% catch rate for Bluegill, based on 20 Bluegill counted.

    Santee Cooper Lakes Bluegill Counts Chart
    Bluegill

    ENLARGE SANTEE COOPER LAKES BLUEGILL COUNTS CHART


  9. Chain Pickerel

  10. Chain Pickerel

    There is a 9.43% catch rate for Chain Pickerel, based on 20 Chain Pickerel counted.

    Santee Cooper Lakes Chain Pickerel Counts Chart
    Chain

    ENLARGE SANTEE COOPER LAKES CHAIN PICKEREL COUNTS CHART


  11. Threadfin Shad

  12. Threadfin Shad

    There is a 6.6% catch rate for Threadfin Shad, based on 14 Threadfin Shad counted.

    Santee Cooper Lakes Threadfin Shad Counts Chart
    Threadfin

    ENLARGE SANTEE COOPER LAKES THREADFIN SHAD COUNTS CHART


  13. Redbreast Sunfish

  14. Redbreast Sunfish

    There is a 4.72% catch rate for Redbreast Sunfish, based on 10 Redbreast Sunfish counted.

    Santee Cooper Lakes Redbreast Sunfish Counts Chart
    Redbreast

    ENLARGE SANTEE COOPER LAKES REDBREAST SUNFISH COUNTS CHART


  15. Warmouth

  16. Warmouth

    There is a 4.72% catch rate for Warmouth, based on 10 Warmouth counted.

    Santee Cooper Lakes Warmouth Counts Chart
    Warmouth

    ENLARGE SANTEE COOPER LAKES WARMOUTH COUNTS CHART


  17. Yellow Perch

  18. Yellow Perch

    There is a 4.25% catch rate for Yellow Perch, based on 9 Yellow Perch counted.

    Santee Cooper Lakes Yellow Perch Counts Chart
    Yellow

    ENLARGE SANTEE COOPER LAKES YELLOW PERCH COUNTS CHART


  19. Black Crappie

  20. Black Crappie

    There is a 2.83% catch rate for Black Crappie, based on 6 Black Crappie counted.

    Santee Cooper Lakes Black Crappie Counts Chart
    Black

    ENLARGE SANTEE COOPER LAKES BLACK CRAPPIE COUNTS CHART


Recommendations above based on 23 species of fish and 212 fish counted for September around Santee Cooper Lakes.

To date, there are 34 species of fish and a total of 2906 fish counted for Santee Cooper Lakes and within a 30 mile (48 km) radius since 9/29/1927 (96 years).

Last Update: 9/21/2023 12:02:31 PM

*** PLEASE NOTE ***
Please check local, state/province, and federal laws before fishing for any species found on this site. All data is based on historical data found for this area, and in some cases as far back as the year 1600.

View full Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Forecast to see all species.

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Top Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Spots

View Full Fishing Map


The Top 10 Fishing Spots for Santee Cooper Lakes are the following:

  1. Thornley Forest II Ramp
    Thornley Forest II Ramp


  2. Fish Attractor
    Fish Attractor


  3. Fish Attractor
    Fish Attractor


  4. Fish Attractor
    Fish Attractor


  5. backgate
    172 gate


  6. Road Bed Intersection


  7. Largemouth Bass988


  8. jacks creek
    creek


  9. Fish Attractor
    Fish Attractor


  10. Fish Attractor
    Fish Attractor


View more Top Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Spots


Latest Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Reports

  • November Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing
    There should be better bass fishing this month in some of the deeper pockets on the lake. Crappie should be bting in the those mid-depth brush piles as well as bream. Cut sh


View Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Reports

Top Santee Cooper Lakes Bait & Tackle Stores

  1. Carolina King Retreat & Marina
    Carolina King Retreat and Marina, LLC offers cabin rentals, boat rentals, fishing, hunting and hiking opportunities for your next weekend getaway or vacation. Located on the beautiful shores of Lake Marion in Summerton, SC, we have everything that yo

  2. Lakeside Marina & Resort


  3. Canal Lakes Fish Camp


View more Santee Cooper Lakes Bait & Tackle Stores

Top Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Charters & Guides

  1. Jackson's Catfish Guide Service
    Catfish Charters on the Santee Cooper Lakes in SC. No fish! No Pay! Guaranteed!

  2. Catfishnfool
    Santee Cooper Lakes Catfishnfool Fishing Guide Service, Captain Wayne Vining 803-238-0596 is offering guided fishing trips specializing in Catfish, Crappie, and Bream. My trips are fun and affordable fishing adventures, family vacations, or group out

View more Santee Cooper Lakes Charters & Guides

Top Santee Cooper Lakes Marinas

  1. Carolina King Retreat & Marina
    Carolina King Retreat and Marina, LLC offers cabin rentals, boat rentals, fishing, hunting and hiking opportunities for your next weekend getaway or vacation. Located on the beautiful shores of Lake Marion in Summerton, SC, we have everything that yo

  2. Lakeside Marina & Resort


  3. Rocks Pond Campground and Marina
    Open Year Round. Store is closed from November 1st until March 1st but the campground is still open for camping. During this time reservations can be made on our Reservations Line, (803) 492-7711. During the winter months, reservations must be paid i

View more Santee Cooper Lakes Marinas

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