UTERBlue catfish fishing in South Carolina freshwater
In South Carolina freshwater, blue catfish peak October–June and are around year-round, spawning in May–June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Santee Cooper's winter drift for trophy blues — cut herring in the channels.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Blue catfish in South Carolina freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakSantee Cooper's winter drift for trophy blues — cut herring in the channels.
- FebruaryPeakPeak trophy month on Marion and Moultrie.
- MarchPeak
- AprilPeak
- MaySpawning
- JuneSpawning
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish blue catfish near Santee Cooper, Lake Murray, Lake Hartwell
Santee Cooper's blues, stripers and bass, Murray's stripers, Hartwell and the upstate highland lakes, blackwater rivers for redbreast, and Chattooga trout.
What to use for blue catfish
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 40–90°F water, best at 55–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch blue catfish in South Carolina freshwater?
Peak season is October–June, with fish spawning in May–June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Blue catfish are here year-round. January: Santee Cooper's winter drift for trophy blues — cut herring in the channels.
Where do blue catfish hold in South Carolina freshwater?
Look on river, reservoir, lake, bridge — around Santee Cooper, Lake Murray, Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee, Edisto River, Chattooga River.
What is the best bait for blue catfish in South Carolina freshwater?
Live bait: nightcrawlers, minnows (fatheads, shiners). Nightcrawlers: Whole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for blue catfish in South Carolina freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and change — read the current rule at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/regulations.html before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/licensing.html.
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