J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir (SC)
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Fishing regulations at J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir (SC), SC
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in South Carolina can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Regulations for top species
Largemouth bass
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
SC Gamefish Gear
Game fish may be caught with only hook and line, pole, artificial pole, or rod and reel. Not more than 4 of these devices may be used by any fishermen at the same time, except when fishing in a boat.
Keep Intact
In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
No size limit.
A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day. This total shall not exceed more than the limits or exceptions listed below. Any game fish or species with a size limit listed must be landed with head and tail fin intact.
Special limits and regulations apply in:
- Blalock Lake: minimum size = 14- inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Chattooga River: minimum size = 12- inches; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Greenwood Lake: minimum size = 14-inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Hartwell Lake: minimum size = 12- inches; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Jocassee Lake: minimum size = 14- inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Keowee Lake: minimum size = 12- inches; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Marion Lake: minimum size = 14- inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Monticello Lake: minimum size = 14- inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Moultrie Lake: minimum size = 14- inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Murray Lake: minimum size = 14- inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Robinson Lake: minimum size = 12- inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Russell Lake (including Lake Hartwell Tailwater): minimum size = 12-inches; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Saluda River (middle reach): minimum size = 14-inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Santee River (upper reach): minimum size = 14-inches; bag limit no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Savannah River: minimum size = 12- inches; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Secession Lake: minimum size = 14- inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Slade's Lake: minimum size = 12- inches; bag limit = no more than 2 combined total of black bass;
- Stevens Creek Reservoir: minimum size = 12-inches; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Thurmond Lake: minimum size = 12- inches; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Tugaloo Lake: minimum size = 12- inches; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Wateree Lake: minimum size = 14- inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Wylie Lake: minimum size = 14- inches; bag limit = no more than 5 combined total of black bass;
- Yonah Lake: minimum size = 12- inches; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
Check with state parks, city reservoirs, or county parks for special limits and regulations that apply to those areas. For more information, see SCDNR website.
Spotted bass
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
SC Gamefish Gear
Game fish may be caught with only hook and line, pole, artificial pole, or rod and reel. Not more than 4 of these devices may be used by any fishermen at the same time, except when fishing in a boat.
Keep Intact
In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
No size limit.
A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day. This total shall not exceed more than the limits or exceptions listed below. Any game fish or species with a size limit listed must be landed with head and tail fin intact.
Special limits and regulations apply in:
- Chattooga River: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Hartwell Lake: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Keowee Lake: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Russell Lake (including Lake Hartwell Tailwater): no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Savannah River: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Slade's Lake: minimum size = 12-inches; bag limit = no more than 2 combined total of black bass;
- Stevens Creek Reservoir: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Thurmond Lake: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Tugaloo Lake: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- Yonah Lake: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;
- For more information, see SCDNR website.
Check with state parks, city reservoirs, or county parks for special limits and regulations that apply to those areas.
Striped bass
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
SC Gamefish Gear
Game fish may be caught with only hook and line, pole, artificial pole, or rod and reel. Not more than 4 of these devices may be used by any fishermen at the same time, except when fishing in a boat.
Keep Intact
In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day. This total shall not exceed more than the limits or exceptions listed below. Any game fish or species with a size limit listed must be landed with head and tail fin intact.
Special limits and regulations apply in:
Ashepoo River:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Ashley River:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Black River:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Black Mingo Creek:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Combahee River:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Cooper River system:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Coosawhatchie River:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Cuckholds Creek:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Edisto River:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Hartwell Lake: striped or hybrid bass or a combination; only 3 fish over 26-inches; bag limit = no more than 10 combined striped bass or hybrid bass;
Lake Hartwell Tailwater: striped or hybrid bass or a combination; only 1 fish over 34-inches; bag limit = no more than 2 combined striped bass or hybrid bass;
Horseshoe Creek:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County):
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Lumber River:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Lynches River:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Murray Lake
- October 1 to May31: minimum size = 21 inches; bag limit = 5 striped bass
- June 1 to September 30: no size limit; bag limit = 5 striped bass
Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee Rivers:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Pocotaligo in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Russell Lake: striped or hybrid bass or a combination; only 1 fish over 34-inches; bag limit = no more than 2 combined striped bass or hybrid bass;
Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Saluda River (Middle Reach, i.e., all waters of Saluda River from backwaters of Lake Murray at SC Hwy 395 upstream to Lake Greenwood Dam):
- October 1 to May31: minimum size = 21-inches; bag limit = 5 striped bass
- June 1 - Sept. 30: no size limit; bag limit = 5 striped bass
Sampit River:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Santee River system (includes lower reach of Saluda River):
- October 1 to June 15: striped bass between 23 and 25 inches may be harvested except that one fish may be greater than 26 inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass;
- June 16 - September 30 closed except for Lower Saluda River where catch and release is allowed
Savannah River (lower reaches): bag limit = 2 striped bass, striped bass hybrids, white bass, or any combination of these species per person per day; minimum size = 27 inches total length.
Thoroughfare Creek:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Thurmond Lake: striped or hybrid bass or a combination; only 3 fish over 26-inches; bag limit = no more than 10 combined striped bass or hybrid bass;
Tulifinny River:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Waccamaw River:
- October 1 to June 15: minimum size = 26-inches; bag limit = 3 striped bass
- June 16 - Sept. 30: season is closed - no harvest of striped bass
Check with state parks, city reservoirs, or county parks for special limits and regulations that apply to those areas. For more information, see SCDNR website.
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