Thursday, July 19, 2012

Santee Cooper Fishing Guide Can Provide Invaluable Local Knowledge

By Kelli Evans


Santee Cooper is a well-known fishing destination in South Carolina centered around the town of Santee as well as Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie. These fishing lakes were created between the years of 1939 to 1942 for a hydroelectricity project managed by the South Carolina Public Service Authority. Anglers in the area typically target catfish, stripers, bass, crappie and bream. Local Santee Cooper fishing guides tend to specialize in one or few of these species. A guide can be very helpful to visiting anglers, providing them with deep local knowledge and useful tips.

The area name reflects two river systems that were connected by the original electricity scheme. The area covers the five counties of Calhoun, Berkeley, Clarendon, Sumter and Orangeburg. The name also refers to the state electricity and water utility.

Of the two lakes, Lake Marion is the largest with an overall surface area of more than 110,000 acres and Lake Moultrie with about 60,000 acres. The lakes are joined by a canal built to facilitate water management by water diversion.

The lakes have secured a number of impressive global angling records. These include the biggest Channel Catfish, the biggest Striped Bass and the biggest Arkansas Blue. These angling benchmarks largely reflect the unique aquatic environments provided by the lakes.

The lakes contain a number of varied habitats including shallow swamps, blackwater ponds and vast open water areas with a multitude of natural underwater structures that encourage marine life. For example, when it was first established, Lake Marion was not completely cleared. As a result, it contains thousands of submerged stumps, standing exposed dead tree trunks and masses of standing trees that are still growing.

In short, the lakes offer anglers rear-round sport since they do not freeze during the winter. Fish species in the lakes are active all year. Anglers can fish from a boat, skiff or wade, depending on their individual preference. A local guide can help and advise on these and similar matters. When choosing a santee cooper fishing guide, check that the guide is licensed.




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