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Best largemouth bass lakes in South Carolina

22 South Carolina waters hold largemouth bass, 10 mapped with real state-agency depth surveys. Ranked below by size and depth-data quality — open any water to see exactly where to fish it: depth contours, scored spots with plain-English reasons, seasonal windows and bait picks. Ambush predator that relates to cover — weeds, timber, docks — and moves shallow to feed.

1. Lake Marion — 77 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel CatfishWhy #1: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 39 public access sites
2. Lake Hartwell — 185 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, CrappieWhy #2: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · 49 public access sites
3. Clarks Hill Lake — 180 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel CatfishWhy #3: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · 39 public access sites
4. Lake Moultrie — 75 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel CatfishWhy #4: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 9 public access sites
5. Lake Murray — 200 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel CatfishWhy #5: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
6. Richard B. Russell Lake — 167 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel CatfishWhy #6: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · 17 public access sites
7. Stevens Creek Reservoir — 20 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel CatfishWhy #7: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
8. Lake Greenwood — 80 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel CatfishWhy #8: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
9. Lake Wateree — 90 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Striped BassWhy #9: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
10. Lake Keowee — 300 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel CatfishWhy #10: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
11. Lake Wylie — 60 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel CatfishWhy #11: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
12. Neal Shoals Reservoir — 15 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, BluegillWhy #12: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · no verified access record attached
13. Lake Bowen — 80 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Crappie, BluegillWhy #13: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 3 public access sites
14. Great Pee Dee River — 36 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Flathead CatfishWhy #14: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · no verified access record attached
15. Lake Jocassee — 350 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown TroutWhy #15: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
16. Wright River — 58 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Flathead CatfishWhy #16: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · no verified access record attached
17. Monticello Reservoir — 60 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel CatfishWhy #17: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
18. Congaree River — 20 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Striped BassWhy #18: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · 3 public access sites
19. Lake Robinson — 40 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel CatfishWhy #19: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
20. Cape Fear River — Reach 2 of 2 — 56 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Striped BassWhy #20: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · no verified access record attached
21. Cooper River — 55 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Flathead CatfishWhy #21: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · no verified access record attached
22. Shallotte River — 22 ft max · survey depth data · Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Striped BassWhy #22: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · no verified access record attached

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When to fish largemouth bass in South Carolina

• Spring 2–10 ft — Pre-spawn through spawn: target shallow flats, pockets and cover near deep access.
• Summer 8–20 ft — Fish the edges: weedlines, drop-offs, and deep cover close to shallow feeding areas.
• Fall 4–15 ft — Follow the baitfish: points and creek channels leading into pockets.
• Winter 15–35 ft — Slow and deep: steep drops and channel bends near wintering basins.

Also in South Carolina: best crappie lakes · best bluegill lakes · best channel catfish lakes · best striped bass lakes · best flathead catfish lakes · best blue catfish lakes · best longnose gar lakes · best white perch lakes

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