McCormick County, SC · Reservoir
Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond)
The largest Corps lake east of the Mississippi — a 71,000-acre Savannah River reservoir on the Georgia–South Carolina line, a top largemouth bass and crappie fishery with strong striped and hybrid bass and channel catfish over open water. Ramps line both shores.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie & Channel Catfish — tied at the top (0/100)
4 species tied for best of 4 tracked at Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond).
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 12 at 2:51PM EDT until July 12 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond)
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 4 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Striped Bass Skip the Striped Bass trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 26"
- Daily creel
- 3
Santee Cooper: 26" minimum, 3/day; harvest Oct 1–Jun 15, catch-and-release in the summer closure.
Source: South Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Largemouth Bass Skip the Largemouth Bass trip today. In season 0/100
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 5
14" minimum, 5/day (Santee Cooper and most reservoirs).
Source: South Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Crappie Skip the Crappie trip today. In season 0/100
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 20
20/day (8" minimum on Lake Murray and some waters).
Source: South Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Channel Catfish Skip the Channel Catfish trip today. In season 0/100
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 25
Santee Cooper: 25/day (catfish combined), no more than two over 32".
Source: South Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
South Carolina
Coordinates
Notes
SC: 14" bass minimum, 5/day. Striped and hybrid bass chase blueback herring on the main lake.
Local reports & rules for Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond): South Carolina DNR fishing report → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond)?
Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond) is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond) have?
Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. SC: 14" bass minimum, 5/day. Striped and hybrid bass chase blueback herring on the main lake.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond)?
state agency regulations apply at Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond) tidal water?
No. Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.