Lake and Area
Information
HISTORY
The Santee Cooper lake system consists of two
lakes, Marion 110,600 acres and Moultrie 60,400 acres. These
two lakes are joined by the 6.5 mile Diversion Canal. These world-class
fishing lakes were created from 1939-42 for a hydroelectric project
by the S.C. Public Service Authority, commonly known as "Santee Cooper" because
of the two river systems the project connected. At the present
time these lakes hold a world record Channel Catfish (58 Ibs)
and a Warmouth weighing 2.2 Ibs was caught in a creek a few miles
from lake Marion. These lakes held the record for striped bass
until 1977, its weight was 55 Ibs. State records held are:
 |
Todd Sages Tinton Falls, NJ
7 lb Largemouth
caught Sight Fishing |
Largemouth
Bass (16.2 Ibs), Black Crappie (5 Ibs), Chain (Jack) (6.4 Ibs),
Channel Catfish (58 Ib.), Arkansas Blue (109.4 Ibs)
The Santee Cooper Lakes vary from shallow swamps and blackwater ponds to vast
open water with a multitude of underwater structures. Lake
Marion was not completely cleared, as a result, fishermen will
find
there are thousands upon thousands of stumps, standing dead
tree trunks and live cypress trees. Lake Moultrie is more open
and
is 14 miles across at its widest point.
These lakes do not ice over during the winter and there is no closed season for
fishing season. Weather permitting, fishermen can fish year
round.
Listed below is some information and seasonal tactics for fishing the waters
of lakes Marion and Moultrie. Each section will begin with
Spring, our prime season.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
 |
Joe Bone Screnton, Pa.
Post Spawn 6lb largemouth
Caught off a Cypress Tree
|
Spring - When water temperatures
reach 64 to 70 degrees the male constructs a nest in
one to five
feet
of water and approximately 20 to
30 feet from the closest neighbor. The female lays 10,000 to 11,000
eggs which are fertilized, guarded and maintained until
the young
fry disperse. This is the best time of the year to catch
big bass. Big females strike to protect beds, if small buck bass
don't hit first. Spoons, spinners and six to eight inch
plastic worms are effective. After spawning,worms, crankbaits
and
spinner baits are effective around the cypress trees stickups, lily
pads and grass beds in water 2 to 4 feet deep.
 |
Cecil
Fry - 7 lb 3 oz |
Summer - Most
bass head for deeper water ledges and drops where
heavily weighted jugs or worms are effective. Early and late
in the day the
bass will often feed in the shallows. Bass are usually found
in waters less than 20 feet deep and rarely go beyond the
area where rooted vegetation will grow.
 |
Mike
Simpson
|
Fall - Largemouth move into
more shallow water and cypress, gum and tupelo trees where
plastic worms, spinner baits and crankdown lures are effective.
Each tree must be fished completely from all angles for
maximum results. Fishing points in early morning is effective
using
plastic worms and crankbaits.
Winter - Bass move back to
deep water where jigs, spoons and heavily weighted worms are
productive. At this time
of year fish the lure very
slowly.
AREA INFORMATION
Recommended Lodging:
| BUSINESS
NAME: |
ADDRESS: |
PHONE: |
| Canal
Lake Fish Camps |
139
Canal Landing Rd. Cross S.C. 29436 |
843.753.2271 |
| Black's
Camp |
1370
Black's Camp Road; Cross, SC 29436 |
843.753.2231 |
| Holiday
Inn Express |
505
R.C. Dennis Blvd., Moncks Corner, SC 29461 |
843.761.5900 |
| Swamp
Fox Inn |
102
S HWY 52, Moncks Corner,SC 29461 |
843.761.5401 |
|
|
|
