Irmo SC
Fishing
News
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, SCDNR regulations, and community fishing coverage for Lexington County lakes and rivers.
HEREIrmo is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and SCDNR regulations across Lexington County. 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.
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
- Overcast and light rain conditions are often the best fishing weather. Fish shallow and aggressive — bass are less wary.
- Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly.
- New and full moons are the best fishing phases. Solunar peak periods fall near sunrise and sunset — be on the water at first light.
Know a Irmo-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotGet listed in the Field Guides section and reach active anglers across Lexington County and the HERE City Network.
List Your Guide ServiceFishing News HERE
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Learn About Gear Advertising- Local reservoirs: Boating permit required from Irmo Water. Gas motor HP restrictions — check current Irmo Water rules before launching.
- Size limits: Confirm black-bass minimums and closures for your specific lake in current SCDNR eRegulations.
- Lake Craig & Edwin Johnson: No gasoline engines — electric trolling motors only. Lake Edwin Johnson also enforces SCDNR creel limits: 10 bream, 3 bass, 3 catfish.
- Free Fishing Days 2026: May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) and July 4 — no fishing license required on these two days.
- Rivers (Pacolet, Tyger, Lawson's Fork): Statewide creel limits apply. No boating permits required. SCDNR fishing license required for anglers 16+.
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Yes. All anglers age 16 and older need a SC fishing license to fish public waters in Lexington County. SC residents pay $10 for an annual freshwater license. Non-residents pay $35 annually or $11 for a 3-day license. Licenses are available at SCDNR.sc.gov or at local sporting goods and tackle shops. Two Free Fishing Days — May 25 (Memorial weekend) and July 4 — require no license.
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Irmo sits on the Lake Murray shore — striped bass, largemouth, crappie, and catfish are the story, along with the Lower Saluda nearby. This is Midlands water, not Upstate municipal reservoirs. See the profiles above for access points.
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Lake Murray crappie spawn from late February through April. Brush piles and docks in the Saluda and Little River arms near Irmo are local favorites.
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Yes. Lake Murray coves around Irmo and the Lower Saluda are excellent kayak fisheries. Watch generation schedules below the dam and wear a PFD.
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The Lower Saluda holds stocked trout in season, spring stripers, and rocky-shoal bass. Lake Murray itself is the everyday reservoir fishery for Irmo anglers.
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Yes — the Lower Saluda tailrace below Lake Murray Dam receives SCDNR trout stocking in cool months. A trout stamp may be required in addition to a freshwater license; check dnr.sc.gov.
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