All spots

Lake Marion

Lake fishing  South Carolina · 07:05 - 19:28

Lake Marion is one of the lakes in South Carolina. The main target species are Striped Bass and Blue Catfish.

Fair 41% The bite right now
Top bet: Striped Bass Overcast lifts the bite.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
59%
86°
Thu
59%
85°
Fri
53%
88°
Sat
58%
82°
Sun
61%
82°
Mon
69%
84°
Best day

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Partly cloudy
Water temp (est.)
78°F
Air temp
86°F
Wind
8 mph
Pressure
30.22 inHg → stable
Clouds
74.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 06:20–08:20 Dusk 18:13–20:13

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waxing crescent 14% lit
Major period 15:32–17:32 Major period 03:32–05:32 Minor period 10:42–12:12 Minor period 20:51–22:21

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

15:00
86°
16:00
87°
17:00
88°
18:00
86°
19:00
81°
20:00
79°
21:00
78°
22:00
77°
23:00
76°
00:00
76°
01:00
75°
02:00
74°

Likely catch now (2 species)

Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
41%
Overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
21%
Slow during the day, water near its preferred 25 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.
Tap for details

About the fishing here

Lake Marion is the larger of the two Santee Cooper lakes in central South Carolina, a wide, stump-studded reservoir built in the 1940s that flooded old river swamp. It built its reputation on blue catfish and striped bass, both of which grow to serious size in the connected lake system. Standing cypress and submerged timber make careful boat handling worthwhile away from the marked channels. A South Carolina fishing license is required.

Popular catches here include Striped Bass and Blue Catfish.

Striped Bass is generally most active around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a crankbait for striped bass, the most likely catch right now.
Depth The water is warm. Fish often sit deeper or in shade, work the cooler spots. Look towards deeper water.
Lure Crankbait for striped bass: Big swimbaits and plugs.
Colour Clear water and good light: try silver, white and natural baitfish for striped bass.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lake Marion?

The usual catches here are Striped Bass and Blue Catfish.

Do you need a fishing license at Lake Marion?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Lake Marion?

For Striped Bass, the fishing tends to peak around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Lake Marion right now?

Right now Striped Bass is the most likely catch, at about 83%.