HERE Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, SCDNR regulations, and community fishing coverage for Horry lakes and rivers.
Bass: Active Crappie: Active Catfish: Hot 9 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌒
Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 50%
90°F
95°F
0 mph
1013
as of 5:00 PM ET
Good — increasing moonlight; fish feed actively in the morning and evening hours.
Horry • Grand Strand SC
Your Local Fishing Resource
HERE Myrtle Beach is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and SCDNR regulations across Horry. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Myrtle Beach Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
ACTIVE
Summer pattern — fish deep structure early and late. Frog fishing on lily pads productive at dawn.
Top BaitFinesse Jig, Drop Shot
Depth15-25 ft midday
Smallmouth Bass
HOT
Prime smallmouth season on area rivers. Rocky shoals hold feeding fish.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
ACTIVE
Pre-spawn or fall pattern. Crappie suspending over deeper structure.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
HOT
Catfish are highly active in warm water. Night fishing from bank is excellent — cut shad and chicken liver.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
HOT
Bluegill on the bed — largest fish of the year on spawning colonies in 1-4 ft gravel flats. Cricket fishing is magic.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
SLOW
No summer trout stocking. Trout season paused — check <?php echo here_dnr(); ?> for next stocking dates.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Horry waters. Always verify SCDNR regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
90F
Partly Cloudy
Feels like 90°F
as of 5:00 PM ET
Wind
0 mph N
Humidity
55%
Pressure
1013 hPa
Est. Water Temp
95°F
Moon
Waxing Crescent
Sunrise / Sunset
10:03 am / 12:29 am
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
On-the-Water Tips
- Hot air temps push fish deep. Fish 12-20 ft ledges and structure in the heat of the day. Early morning and evening are your windows.
- Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations.
- Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
90°F
Warm — Fish Deep
Wind Speed
0 mph
Calm — Ideal
Barometric Pressure
1013 hPa
Falling — Feeding!
Moon Phase
🌒
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TODAY
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
88° / 77°
18 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
JUN
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
84° / 75°
18 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
SAT
Mostly Sunny
84° / 75°
8 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
SUN
Mostly Sunny
84° / 78°
6 mph wind • 0% humidity
GOOD
MON
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
87° / 78°
13 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
9 fishing waters within Horry — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Lake Busbee
water
Angler Tip
Lake Arrowhead
water
Angler Tip
Tanger Family Bicentennial Park Lake
water
Angler Tip
Withers Swash
water
Angler Tip
Intracoastal Waterway
water
Angler Tip
Atlantic Ocean
water
Angler Tip
Intracoastal Waterway
water
Angler Tip
Waccamaw River
water
Angler Tip
Withers Swash
water
Angler Tip
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Myrtle Beach-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotLocal Experts
Field Guides
Hire a local fishing guide and put your line on the right water in Myrtle Beach. Expert captains who know Horry waters.
CP
Cliff Pitts
Veteran Lake Wylie guide specializing in striped bass and crappie.
Lake Wylie
Catawba River
Guide Service or Charter Captain?
Get listed in the Field Guides section and reach active anglers across Horry and the HERE City Network.
List Your Guide ServiceCommunity Reviews
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Community
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Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Myrtle Beach anglers.
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand
Coming Soon
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Myrtle Beach Fishing Coverage Coming Soon
Local lake reports, stocking news, tournament results, and Grand Strand fishing coverage from the HERE Myrtle Beach newsroom.
National — Bass, Fishing Regulations, and Conservation
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National Fishing Coverage Coming Soon
Bass fishing news, conservation legislation, national tournament results, gear reviews, and fishing stories with a Myrtle Beach perspective.
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand SC
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Myrtle Beach angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Grand Strand SC waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Grand Strand SC Waters
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingSouth Carolina DNR
SCDNR Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Horry waters. Always verify current regulations at dnr.sc.gov.
SC Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Myrtle Beach Waters
Special Rules & Alerts for Myrtle Beach Waters
- Lake Bowen & Blalock: Boating permit required from Myrtle Beach Water. Gas motor HP restrictions — check current Myrtle Beach Water rules before launching.
- Lake Blalock Special: 14-inch minimum size for black bass. 5 combined black bass daily limit. Check closure status after Hurricane Helene impacts.
- Lake Craig & Edwin Johnson: No gasoline engines — electric trolling motors only. Lake Edwin Johnson also enforces SCDNR creel limits: 10 bream, 3 bass, 3 catfish.
- Free Fishing Days 2026: May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) and July 4 — no fishing license required on these two days.
- Rivers (Pacolet, Tyger, Lawson's Fork): Statewide creel limits apply. No boating permits required. SCDNR fishing license required for anglers 16+.
Regulations shown are for general reference. Always verify current rules with the SC Department of Natural Resources at dnr.sc.gov or by calling the SCDNR Wildlife Helpline. Regulations may change each season. Municipal reservoir rules (Myrtle Beach Water, SJWD) are set separately from SCDNR.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
SC DNR stocks May-June annually
SC DNR stocks November-January
Bottom fishing with cut bait
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Horry water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. SCDNR trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit dnr.sc.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Myrtle Beach area, answered.
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Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a SC fishing license to fish public waters in Horry. SC residents pay $10 for an annual freshwater license. Non-residents pay $35 annually or $11 for a 3-day license. Licenses are available at SCDNR.sc.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license.
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Horry has four public fishing lakes. Lake Bowen (1,534 acres) near Inman is the largest and best for largemouth bass and crappie. Lake Blalock (1,200 acres) near Chesnee is excellent for crappie around the bridge pilings and Buck's Creek. Lake Cooley (330 acres) is the clearest and holds the county's biggest crappie. Lake Lyman (500 acres) produces high numbers of smaller crappie. Lake Craig and Lake Edwin Johnson offer peaceful fishing with electric motors only. All municipal lakes require a boating permit from Myrtle Beach Water or SJWD.
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The best crappie fishing in Horry is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. Lake Cooley is the top pick for big crappie during the spawn. Lake Blalock's bridge area and stump flats near the dam are also productive. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
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Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Myrtle Beach lakes, especially the smaller electric-only lakes. Lake Craig at Croft State Park offers kayak and canoe rentals ($5 for 2 hours) — you can bring your own or rent on-site with no boating permit required for human-powered craft. The Pacolet River and Tyger River system are excellent for kayak fishing — both offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. The Pacolet River Blueway (50+ miles) includes multiple put-in and take-out points. Electric-only rules at Lake Edwin Johnson also make it kayak-ideal.
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The Pacolet River is Myrtle Beach's best-kept secret — a diverse bass fishery with largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, and flathead) are abundant. The Tyger River system features smallmouth bass introduced by SCDNR, Alabama bass, Bartram's bass, largemouth, and various sunfish. Both rivers offer excellent catch-and-release bass fishing exceeding 18 inches. Fly fishing for bass on subsurface patterns is particularly productive on the Pacolet near Glendale Shoals. Access multiple road crossings for wade fishing or run float trips by kayak.
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SCDNR stocks select Horry waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the SCDNR website at dnr.sc.gov — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current SCDNR schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Myrtle Beach. Lake Edwin Johnson (managed by SCDNR) has historically received stocking — verify current status with SCDNR.
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