Striped Bass fishing at Congaree River

In spring, striped bass run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Summer fish stay in 6 to 20 ft, and winter fish hold in 6 to 20 ft. Batesburg Reservoir Dam D-0928 tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 17 ft, rated prime for spring striped bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a flutter spoon (deep) or a umbrella rig (trolled) and you're in the game.

Blue Catfish fishing at Congaree River

Start shallow in spring: blue catfish sit in 4 to 20 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 5 to 20 ft, and winter fish hold in 6 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Outside-bend hole (mile 10.5): a creek channel around 15 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.

Flathead Catfish fishing at Congaree River

In spring, flathead catfish run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Summer fish stay in 5 to 20 ft, and winter fish hold in 6 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Tailout eddy (mile 8.7): a eddy pocket around 11 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.

Channel Catfish fishing at Congaree River

Spring channel catfish on Congaree River hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 6 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 20 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 10.5) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 15 ft, rated prime for summer channel catfish. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Congaree River

In spring, largemouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Congaree NP cypress sloughs: a standing timber / brush around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait gets it done.

Longnose Gar fishing at Congaree River

Spring longnose gar on Congaree River hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 1 to 12 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 20 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 10.5), a creek channel in about 15 ft of water that rates prime for longnose gar in fall. Plan around midday and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a rope lure or a small white spinner gets it done.

How deep is Congaree River?

Congaree River is about 20 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Congaree River?

Anglers target largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, striped bass, flathead catfish, blue catfish, longnose gar on Congaree River.

Where is the best fishing spot on Congaree River?

Batesburg Reservoir Dam D-0928 tailrace is the top-rated area: a dam tailrace in about 17 ft of water that rates prime for striped bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Congaree River?

For striped bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.