Latest Lake Murray Runs 5 Feet Low as Fall Bite Builds Near Irmo
☁ 54°F Clear · ClintonFORECAST
CLINTON, SC · UPSTATE EDITION · SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2026
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Lake Murray Runs 5 Feet Low as Fall Bite Builds Near Irmo SC September fishing outlook: coast heats up, lakes turn SC shrimp baiting season opens with 60-day window Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Heats Up for Catfish, Bream Clinton Anglers Urged to Heed Summer Safety Guidelines on Local Waterways
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Clinton SC Fishing Report

Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, SCDNR regulations, and community fishing coverage for Laurens lakes and rivers.

Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 0 Waters Profiled
0 Waters Profiled
Live Conditions
Solunar Rating
2026 Season
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌖
Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 61%
54°F
44°F
7 mph
1031
as of 1:15 AM ET
Good — fish activity improving as moonlight decreases. Morning bites pick up.
72
GOOD
Good fishing. Work structure and cover — fish are biting.
Laurens • Upstate SC
Your Local Fishing Resource

HERE Clinton is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and SCDNR regulations across Laurens. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.

Current Conditions • Clinton Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
FAIR
Summer or late fall. Fish are deeper — target 12-20 ft brush piles with tube jigs.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
FAIR
Winter catfish are catchable but slower. Concentrate in deepest lake holes and river pools.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Laurens waters. Always verify SCDNR regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
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First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
54F
Clear
Feels like 54°F
as of 1:15 AM ET
Wind 7 mph NNE
Humidity 71%
Pressure 1031 hPa
Est. Water Temp 44°F
Moon Waning Gibbous
Sunrise / Sunset 6:46 am / 5:35 pm
Location Clinton, SC
On-the-Water Tips
  • Conditions are average today. Fish will bite — focus on structure, work the dawn bite, and let the fish tell you the depth.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
54°F
Too Hot — Dawn/Dusk
Wind Speed
7 mph
Light Breeze
Barometric Pressure
1031 hPa
Stable — Active
Moon Phase
🌖
Good
GOOD
Good fishing. Work structure and cover — fish are biting.
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TONIGHT
Cloudy
62° / 52°
8 mph wind
GOOD
SUN
Mostly Cloudy
65° / 50°
8 mph wind
GOOD
MON
Mostly Sunny
71° / 50°
7 mph wind
GOOD
TUE
Mostly Sunny
74° / 56°
7 mph wind
GOOD
WED
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain
74° / 60°
7 mph wind
GOOD
Local Experts
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Coverage

In Season Now: Clinton Fishing · Nov. 1

In peak season
  • Freshwater game fish Year-Round
  • Lake Greenwood striped & hybrid bass Year-Round

From this page's species calendar. Check current SCDNR size and creel limits before you fish.

Fishing News HERE

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Local — Clinton and Upstate
Local
Lake Murray Runs 5 Feet Low as Fall Bite Builds Near Irmo
Clinton SC Fishing IRMO, S.C. — Irmo SC fishing on Lake Murray heads into the last days of October with the water well down and the fall feeding pattern taking hold, as baitfish push into the creeks and predator fish trail behind them. On Thursday morning the lake gauge near the dam, USGS gauge 02168500, […]
Oct 29, 2026
Local
SC September fishing outlook: coast heats up, lakes turn
September marks the swing month for South Carolina anglers, when the water begins to cool from its late-summer peak, bait clouds concentrate...
Sep 12, 2026
Local
SC shrimp baiting season opens with 60-day window
South Carolina's recreational shrimp baiting season opened at noon Friday, Sept. 11, giving licensed shrimpers along the entire coast — from Beaufort...
Sep 12, 2026
Local
Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Heats Up for Catfish, Bream
A public comment period for a proposed red snapper season, which could impact South Carolina anglers, is set to close on August 25. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries is currently accepting feedback on the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources' Exempted Fishing Permit proposal. If approved, this permit would allow South Carolina to
Aug 24, 2026
National — Bass, Fishing Regulations, and Conservation
National
Lackawanna Lake drawdown starts as dam rehabilitation begins
A drawdown of 198-acre Lackawanna Lake began this week as construction starts on the 69-foot dam and fishing rules have been eased.
Sep 9, 2026
National
Michigan launches Great Lakes whitefish rescue this fall
Michigan will collect spawning Great Lakes whitefish this fall backed by $350,000 in state funding and Great Lakes Fishery Trust dollars.
Sep 9, 2026
National
Bassmaster Elite 2027 schedule set, Florida opener Feb. 11
The 2027 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series will run nine events from Feb. 11 through Aug. 22, opening on Lake Okeechobee.
Sep 9, 2026
National
NJ Sea Birds Win Atlantic Fishing Championship
Clinton SC Fishing The New Jersey Sea Birds secured the Atlantic Division Championship on August 24, 2026, capping a weekend that saw them overcome a significant deficit on the final day. The team entered Championship Sunday trailing Lights Out Boston by 275 points but erased that gap within 23 minutes of lines in. The Sea […]
Aug 25, 2026
View All Clinton Fishing Coverage →
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Gear Reviews — Tested for Upstate SC Waters
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SCDNR
SCDNR Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Laurens waters. Always verify current regulations at dnr.sc.gov.
SC Fishing Licenses
Licenses, current fees, age requirements, and any free fishing days are set by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Buy or check a license at dnr.sc.gov.
Bag & Size Limits — Clinton Waters
Largemouth Bass · Freshwater
5 black bass/day combined
Size:No statewide minimum
14" minimum on Lakes Blalock, Greenwood, Jocassee, Marion, Monticello, Moultrie, Murray, Secession, Wateree and Wylie; 12" minimum and 10 black bass combined on Hartwell, Keowee, Russell, Thurmond. 5-fish limit combines smallmouth, largemouth and redeye bass.
Smallmouth Bass · Freshwater
Counts toward 5 black bass/day
Size:12" minimum statewide
Lake-specific exceptions apply on Hartwell, Russell, Thurmond and other Savannah River system waters.
Spotted Bass · Freshwater
15 per day
Size:Any length
Statewide; Savannah River system lakes fall under a 10 black bass combined limit.
Crappie · Freshwater
20 per day
Size:8" minimum statewide
Bream (bluegill, redear, warmouth, etc.) · Freshwater
30 per day
Size:Any length
Redbreast sunfish are a separate 15 per day.
Striped / Hybrid Bass · Freshwater
10 per day statewide
Size:Any length statewide
Exceptions: Lake Murray and middle Saluda 21" minimum Oct. 1 – May 31, 5 per day; Santee system and listed coastal rivers have seasonal closures June 16 – Sept. 30.
Walleye & Sauger · Freshwater
8 per day combined
Size:Any length
Blue Catfish · Freshwater
150 per day on most waters
Size:—
25 per day on Lakes Marion and Moultrie, the upper Santee River and the Pee Dee River (NC line to U.S. 301); no more than 2 over 32" there and on the Congaree and Wateree rivers. Effective May 15, 2026 (Act 120).
Special Rules & Alerts for Clinton Waters
  • Free fishing days for South Carolina residents in fresh water: Memorial Day (May 31, 2027) and July 4, 2027 (S.C. Code § 50-9-730).
  • A total of 40 game fish may be kept per person per day across all freshwater species limits.
  • State parks, city reservoirs and county lakes can set their own limits — check posted rules.
Regulations shown are for general reference (checked 2026-10-16). Special rules apply on many individual lakes and rivers. Always verify current rules with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources at dnr.sc.gov before keeping fish.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Year-Round
Freshwater game fish
No closed freshwater game fish season (exceptions listed by SCDNR). 40 game fish total per day; freshwater license required.
Statewide
Year-Round
Lake Greenwood striped & hybrid bass
Statewide rule: any length, 10 per day combined. Largemouth 14 in, 5 per day. Jug fishing allowed on Lake Greenwood with permit.
Lake Greenwood
May 25, 2026
Free Fishing Day (Memorial Day)
SC residents, freshwater only; creel and size limits still apply (SCDNR).
Statewide
Jul 4, 2026
Free Fishing Day (Independence Day)
SC residents, freshwater only; creel and size limits still apply (SCDNR).
Statewide
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Laurens water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. SCDNR trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit dnr.sc.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Clinton area, answered.
  • All freshwater anglers age 16+ need a SC freshwater fishing license. Saltwater requires a separate SC Saltwater Privilege.
  • Clinton and Laurens County anglers fish local ponds, Lake Greenwood within a short drive, and Broad / Saluda basin tributaries. See the water body profiles above for waters listed for this site.
  • Crappie in Laurens County waters generally spawn from late March through April. Target brush and docks on local reservoirs and ponds, then deeper structure after the spawn.
  • Yes. Smaller ponds and reservoir coves near Clinton are kayak-friendly when public access allows. Wear a PFD and confirm ramp or bank rules before launching.
  • Area rivers and creeks hold largemouth bass, sunfish, and catfish. Access is often at bridge rights-of-way — respect private property beyond the easement.
  • Check SCDNR’s trout stocking report for any Upstate streams within a drive of Clinton; most Laurens County lake fishing is warmwater.
HERE City Network

FISHING NEWS NEAR CLINTON SC

Fishing coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.
Newberry SCGreenwood SCSpartanburg SCChapin SCGreer SCGreenville SCIrmo SCLexington SCClemson SCRock Hill SC

Latest Clinton Fishing News

  1. Lake Murray Runs 5 Feet Low as Fall Bite Builds Near Irmo

    IRMO, S.C. — Irmo SC fishing on Lake Murray heads into the last days of October with the water well down and the fall feeding pattern taking hold,…

  2. SC September fishing outlook: coast heats up, lakes turn

    September marks the swing month for South Carolina anglers, when the water begins to cool from its late-summer peak, bait clouds concentrate in the creeks and lakes, and…

  3. SC shrimp baiting season opens with 60-day window

    South Carolina’s recreational shrimp baiting season opened at noon Friday, Sept. 11, giving licensed shrimpers along the entire coast — from Beaufort County waters up to the Grand…

  4. Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Heats Up for Catfish, Bream

    A public comment period for a proposed red snapper season, which could impact South Carolina anglers, is set to close on August 25. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric…

  5. Clinton Anglers Urged to Heed Summer Safety Guidelines on Local Waterways

    As summer continues in Clinton, local authorities and outdoor safety advocates are drawing attention to a comprehensive guide detailing essential precautions for anglers venturing onto the region’s waterways.…

  6. Clinton Anglers Urged to Review Summer Fishing Safety Guide Amid Peak Season

    Anglers across Clinton and Laurens County are being encouraged to review a new comprehensive safety guide designed to mitigate risks associated with fishing during the warm summer season.…

  7. Clinton Anglers Advised to Heed Summer Fishing Safety Guide

    Anglers venturing onto Clinton’s lakes and rivers this summer are encouraged to review a recently detailed safety guide, which emphasizes precautions against the season’s elevated risks, including intense…

  8. Clinton Anglers Urged to Prioritize Safety During Summer Fishing

    Anglers heading to Clinton’s numerous fishing spots, including Lake Greenwood, the Enoree River, and Duncan Creek, are reminded to prioritize safety as summer weather continues across the Upstate.…

  9. New Guide Outlines Critical Summer Fishing Precautions for Clinton Anglers

    As summer fishing season continues across Clinton and the surrounding Laurens County area, a new guide has been released, emphasizing critical precautions for anglers to ensure their safety…

  10. New OnDemand Legal Course Offers Insights on Land Access for Hunting and Fishing, Relevant to Clinton Attorneys

    A new OnDemand legal course, titled “Leases, Easements, and Access: Legal Insights for Hunting and Fishing,” is now available, offering a detailed examination of property law as it…

  11. Freshwater Fishing for Beginners: A Guide for Clinton Anglers

    Freshwater fishing continues to draw millions of participants across the United States, a trend reflected in the growing interest among residents of Clinton and Laurens County. For those…

  12. SC Fishing Regulations Every Angler Should Know: Bag Limits, Size Limits, Seasons

    A plain-language summary of South Carolina's key bag limits, size limits, and seasons for Clinton anglers fishing Lake Greenwood — from bass and crappie to redfish and flounder…