Destination Fishing

The Santee-Cooper Lakes offers some of the best freshwater fishing in the state. We have a wide variety of campgrounds, boat ramps, marinas, and fishing guides that will make it easy for you to enjoy a waterfront getaway.

The Santee-Cooper Lakes

In December 1941 as a part of the New Deal, the Santee Cooper Lakes were created by damning the Santee and Cooper Rivers. The system consists of two lakes connected by a 6.5-mile diversion canal. These lakes, named after Revolutionary War heroes General Francis Marion and General William Moultrie, are home to endless past times from water sports to sightseeing along with some of the nation’s best fishing.

Lake Marion is the northernmost of the two lakes. Covering 110,000 acres and stretching across five different counties, it holds the title of the largest lake in South Carolina with acres of cypress-covered swamp land and open water to explore. Lake Moultrie is the southernmost lake, covering 60,000 acres.

Because construction occurred during World War II, labor was scarce, and Lake Marion had only a partial clearing of trees before impoundment. The trees, stumps and other underbrush left beneath the surface provide much-desired cover for a wide variety of fish species.

As one of the best fisheries in the nation, the Santee Cooper Lakes are a prime location for tournament fishermen. We are proud to partner with tournaments that range from open team competitions to elite level anglers giving everyone an opportunity to enjoy the lakes! Check out our social media (Destination Clarendon, SC) to stay up to date on tournament results.

2024 Spring Tournament Schedule

February 3 – Queen City Kayak Bass Fishing (QCKBF)
February 10 – Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) | Fishers of Men
February 17 – Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT)
February 20-25 – Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour
March 2 – Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) | Fishers of Men
March 3 – American Bass Anglers (ABA)
March 7-9 – Bassmaster Open
March 16 – Dynamic Marine and Motorsports Bass Trail
March 23 – Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT)
March 30 – Phantom Open Team Tournament
April 6 – Major League Fishing BFL
April 13 – Carolina Bass Challenge (CBC)
April 20 – Santee Cooper Open Team Tournament (SCOTT)
April 27 – SC High School Bass Challenge
May 4 – QCKBF | Robert Ross Memorial Tournament
May 11 – Fishers of Men
May 18-19 – Kayak Bass Fishing (KBF) | CATT