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
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Lake Murray, SC

Popular Fish Species Lake Murray, SC

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.

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

Click here for fishing boat rentals available at this lake.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.

Marinas

Click here for marinas available at this lake.