Catfish Fishing in South Carolina

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In South Carolina

Most waters in SC have catfish of one or more species. All the major lakes including Hartwell Lake, Lake Greenwood, Lake J. Strom Thurmond, Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee, Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, Lake Murray, Lake Wylie, Monticello Reservoir, Richard B Russell Lake and Wateree Lake have significant populations of catfish. Major rivers, ponds and creeks across the state are also populated with catfish.

Tailrace Canal produced the South Carolina state record blue catfish and the state record channel catfish was taken from Lake Moultrie. Santee Cooper served up the SC state record flathead catfish and Lake Murray served up the state record white catfish.

Bill Monteith's daughter shows off this 78 pound blue catfish caught by her father from Lake Wateree in 2007.

Most catfish are considered bottom feeders to one extent or another. They will generally eat anything that can get in their mouth. Their strongest sense is smell which they use to locate potential food sources. Capitalizing on this sense is the primary weapon in your search for these creatures. Aggressive catfish have been caught on most types of fast moving bass lures so don't under estimate their ability to catch live bait.

Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus

Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris

Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus

White Catfish
Ameiurus catus

Catfish Bait

Catfish Organizations & Resources

Catfish Conservation Group
U.S. Catfish Anglers Tournaments
Planet Catfish

If you have information, articles or photos relating to catfish which you would like to see published under South Carolina catfish articles, please submit them for consideration.

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Check out catfish information in other areas using the list of states to the left.

All About Fishing for Catfish in South Carolina.

58 lbs - 0 oz

58 lbs - 0 oz

65 - 90 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with mild current and sand or rock bottom.

123 lbs - 9 oz

79 lbs - 4 oz

75 - 84 Degrees

Prefers streams or large bodies of slightly stained to murky water with moderate current and hard bottom.

143 lbs - 0 oz

109 lbs - 4 oz

68 - 80 Degrees

Found primarily in large river systems with deep current and swift channels.

22 lbs - 0 oz

9 lbs - 15 oz

70 - 85 Degrees

Prefers rivers and streams with slow moving current over muddy, sandy or even slightly silted bottoms.