silhouetted trees with the sunset reflecting off the water on Lake Murray, South Carolina.

YOUR LAKE MURRAY FISHING GUIDE

Q: Is Lake Murray a man-made lake?

Yes, Lake Murray, it is owned and operated by South Carolina Electric and Gas Company and covers over 50,000 acres. It is held up by the Dreher Shoals Dam that was built in 1930.

Q: Does Lake Murray SC have alligators?

No, Lake Murray is too cold for Alligators.

Q: What is the depth of Lake Murray?

200 feet. It's the fourth largest lake in South Carolina.

Q: How far is Lake Murray from Columbia SC?

It's about 28 mins, up highway 26.

Q: What is Lake Murray known for?

It's known for its great history. When it was being built 50,000 people were displaced from homes and 100 million board feet of lumber were manufactured. What lies under the lake has always fascinated people. Thousand of Graves, bomber airplanes, homes, and bomb fragments. They were used as targets to train bomber pilots of B-25 bombers.

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TOP FISHING GUIDES IN LAKE MURRAY

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TOP LAKE MURRAY FISHING TRIPS

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Fishing in Lake Murray

South Carolina fishing is some of the best in the country, and this inland lake is a big reason for that. A variety of fish species can be caught in this beautiful fishing spot. Anglers can cast for Largemouth Bass, Bream, Bluegill, Black Crappie, White Crappie, White Perch, White Bass, Striped Bass, and Channel Catfish.

After researching some local fishing reports about the area, we have learned a few things. We should note if you are looking for Lake Murray fishing tips for San Diego, you're on the wrong page and can instead find that here.

Accessing these fish has been made easy. The 500 miles of shoreline have 13 boat ramps all around the lake, so you can save time getting to your favorite honey hole.
The Lake Murray water level ranges from 10 feet below full pull to about 1 foot below full pool throughout the whole year.
Every Spring, the local fish and wildlife department restocks this gem with about 1,000,000 Striped Bass fingerlings. You can think of fingerlings as "baby fish," and they will take about 3 to 4 years to reach a legal keeping size.

Known For

Lake Murray is conveniently located near Columbia, South Carolina.

The Saluda Dam was built on the Saluda River and created this 50,000-acre reservoir with about 500 miles of shoreline in 1930. This lake is a vast source of hydroelectric power for the area and its excellent Bass fishing and Striper fishing. It's known for being home to several fishing guides. These charters offer both full-day and more family-friendly half-day fishing trips.
Fishing Licenses and Regulations
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources requires a freshwater fishing license for casting a line on all public water areas, including Lake Murray.
- Resident anglers may purchase an annual license for $10, or they have the option to buy a 14-day fishing license for a lower price of $5.If you're wanting to try your hand at fishing with a jug, gill net, hoop net, eel pot, or trotline, it's best to make sure you check online to ensure you obtain the proper permit.
- Largemouth Bass must be 14 inches or longer to keep.
- A strict bag limit of 5 Striped Bass per day per angler is allowed. The size requirements vary depending on the time of year, so make sure to stay up to date with the latest requirements.
Where to buy an SC fishing license is relatively easy. You can purchase a license online, nearby Walmart, and most of the sporting good stores in the area.
Types of Fishing

Lake Murray SC fishing is popular for tournament anglers and for people wanting to book an affordable family-friendly fishing guide. For a fishing trip with the kids, we recommend hiring a boat for a half-day trip. 4 or 5-hour tours will provide plenty of time to reel in Striped Bass or Crappie and still enjoy all the other experiences of being on a boat.

A type of fishing that offers a high success rate is trolling for Stripers. Trolling allows you to cover a large amount of water to find these hard fighting fish.

If you can't hop on a boat or rod and reel, "Deher Island State Park" rents fishing gear, and many access areas have piers with some good fishing. Access to the park requires a $2 admission fee for adults, though Discounts are available for seniors and children under the age of 16 are admitted for free. This state park is excellent for those wanting to camp or stay in one of the 5 villas they rent out. A basic campsite will cost between $16-$26 dollars per night.
Best Seasons to Fish

The time of year will change fishing on the lake. Lake Murray fishing charters enjoy the brute strength of the Striper on this lake. The best season to catch Striped Bass is in the Spring. During these months, anglers can find success by trolling, and then as the sun rises, target deep pool areas near structure.