Catfishing on the Santee Cooper Lake
Located in South Carolina, the Santee Cooper Lakes is one of the best places for catfish fishing in the United States. It is a two–lake system consisting of Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, and is the state’s largest inland lake system. The lake is nestled among the coastal plains of the state, and is easily accessible from major cities in the area.
The Santee Cooper Lakes are relatively shallow, with an average depth of about 10–15 feet. The lakes are around 170,000 acres in total, with Lake Marion being the larger of the two. It spans about 110,000 acres, and is approximately 20 miles long and 10 miles wide. Lake Moultrie is much smaller, spanning around 60,000 acres, and is roughly 10 miles long and 4 miles wide.
The Santee Cooper Lakes were created in 1942 with the damming of the Santee River in order to generate hydroelectric power. The lakes are managed by the Santee Cooper Utility, which also manages the two hydroelectric power plants on the lake.
The Santee Cooper Lakes are located near a number of major cities in the area, most notably Charleston and Columbia. The closest airports served by major airlines are the Charleston International Airport, which is about an hour’s drive away, and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, which is about an hour and a half away.
For those looking to access the Santee Cooper Lakes, there are a number of boat ramps and marinas available. There are three public boat ramps located on Lake Marion, and four public boat ramps located on Lake Moultrie. There are also a number of marinas located on both lakes, offering a variety of services such as boat rentals, fuel, and tackle.
The Santee Cooper Lakes are known for their excellent catfish fishing. The lakes are home to a number of different species of catfish, including Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Flathead Catfish. The lake is also home to large populations of crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass.
The Santee Cooper Lakes are also home to a variety of lodging and accommodations. There are a number of resorts, campgrounds, and hotels located near the lake that offer a variety of amenities and services. There are also a number of tackle shops located near the lake, providing anglers with all the tackle, bait, and other supplies they need for a successful trip.
The Santee Cooper Lakes are easily accessible from major roadways in the area. Interstate 95 and US Highway 17 both run through the area, providing easy access to both lakes. The lakes are also easily accessible from Interstates 20 and 26, and US Highway 76.
In summary, the Santee Cooper Lakes is one of the best places for catfish fishing in the United States. The lakes offer a variety of species of catfish, as well as large populations of crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. The lakes are easily accessible from a number of major cities and airports in the area, and there are a number of boat ramps and marinas located near the lakes. There are also a variety of lodging and accommodations available near the lakes, as well as tackle shops providing anglers with all the supplies they need for a successful trip. With its excellent catfish fishing and easy accessibility, the Santee Cooper Lakes is an excellent choice for catfishing.