Fishing Lake Murray

AKA: Murray Reservoir, Columbia Lake

Popular Fish Species
Lake Murray Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Boat Launch Ramps
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Lake Murray, SC

Popular Fish Species Lake Murray, SC

Lake Murray Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

This year largemouth bass are again showing up in good numbers at Lake Murray. The lake offers fertile water, an abundant food source, and plenty of cover for both baitfish and bass. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure. Other bass to be caught here include smallmouth bass and spotted bass.

Striped Bass Fishing

After years of a plentiful food supply, including blueback herring, the stripers at Lake Murray are running in sizable schools. Now that they have been established in the lake for a couple decades, many are growing to bragging size. Striped bass are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Lake Murray. Spring and early Summer are the best time to catch the big ones, but quality stripers can be caught year round. Being successful at fishing for stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and the wolf packs of stripers which are likely to be nearby. Fish finders, and forward facing sonar, are a big help in locating these roaming schools.

Lake Murray Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

Black crappie, as well as white crappie, are plentiful throughout Lake Murray, and they are again averaging a very good size this year. Catching lots of crappie over three pounds is very common. Crappie fishing is fun for anglers of all ages and skill levels. These schooling fish always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Lake Murray Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth, white perch, yellow perch, striped bass and chain pickerel at Lake Murray in South Carolina.

Right in the center of South Caroline lies Lake Murray, a 50,000-reservoir loaded with multiple fish species. This vacation paradise sits on the outskirts of Columbia, SC, and offers 620 miles of shoreline for campers, boaters and anglers to enjoy. Fishing enthusiasts enjoy fishing for bass, crappie, stripers, perch, sunfish and chain pickerel. Check out fishing reports for popular species at this lake.

There are approximately twenty places to access the lake, with half of them providing boat launch ramps. These access points also allow access to the shoreline for fishing from the bank.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Murray

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Murray Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Fifty - Fifty Water Sports
Rentals: Pontoon boats
803 731-4000

Lake Murray Boat Rentals
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
803 462-5292

Lighthouse Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
803 749-1554

RiverWinds Landing Marina
Rentals: Pontoons and fishing boats
803 364-0036

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Dreher Island Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off State Spur S-36-571, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Hilton Recreation Area Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Cove Launch Court, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lake Murray Dam North Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Highway 6, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

SCE&G #3 Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Carolina Lane, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

SCE&G #4 Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Riverbend Point Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Shealy's Landing Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Shadowood Drive, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Shull Island Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Shull Ave, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Buffalo Creek Marina
849 Marina Way
Prosperity, SC 29127
803 364-2907

Jakes Landing
220 Jakes Landing Rd
Lexington, SC 29072
803 359-9268

Hollow Creek Marina & Store
3340 US-378
Leesville, SC 29070
803 730-3044

Lake Murray Marina at Marina Bay
1602 Marina Road
Irmo, SC 29063
803 781-1585

Lighthouse Marina
1925 Johnson Marina Road
Chapin, SC 29036
803 749-1554

Siesta Cove Marina
256 John Long Rd
Gilbert, SC 29054
803 892-2978

Southshore Marina
3072 US-378
Leesville, SC 29070
803 532-4231

Timberlake Marina
286 Timberlake Dr
Chapin, South Carolina 29036
803 728-4413