What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Marion?

Lake Marion carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override South Carolina's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Striped bass, Blue catfish, and Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Santee Cooper flagship — any-length largemouth, 5 / day combined black bass (smallmouth 12 in min statewide); striped bass 26 in min, 3 / day (open Oct 1 – June 15, CLOSED June 16 – Sept 30); 8 in min crappie, 20 / day; 25 / day blue catfish, no more than 2 over 32 in (2026 Act 120); channel + flathead catfish no statewide limit; where SC blue catfish were first stocked (1964)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Marion?

Yes. Lake Marion is in South Carolina, so a valid South Carolina fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Lake Marion; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Carolina rules.

Do Lake Marion's special rules replace South Carolina's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. South Carolina's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Marion by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Lake Marion?

Largemouth bass, Striped bass, Blue catfish, and Channel catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Marion, each linking to its full South Carolina regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Carolina limits.

2026 regulation year

Lake Marion 2026 — South Carolina Fishing Regulations

South Carolina statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Lake Marion carries 5 special-regulation overlays on top of South Carolina's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass, Striped bass, Blue catfish, Channel catfish. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Santee Cooper flagship — any-length largemouth, 5 / day combined black bass (smallmouth 12 in min statewide); striped bass 26 in min, 3 / day (open Oct 1 – June 15, CLOSED June 16 – Sept 30); 8 in min crappie, 20 / day; 25 / day blue catfish, no more than 2 over 32 in (2026 Act 120); channel + flathead catfish no statewide limit; where SC blue catfish were first stocked (1964)
Source: South Carolina special-water list

Per-species rules on Lake Marion

Largemouth bass regulations →
Any-length largemouth, 5 / day combined; Santee Cooper flagship water
Striped bass regulations →
26 in min, 3 / day; open Oct 1 – June 15, closed June 16 – Sept 30; Santee Cooper flagship
Blue catfish regulations →
25 / day, no more than 2 over 32 in; Santee Cooper flagship — where SC blue catfish were first stocked (1964)
Channel catfish regulations →
No statewide limit; Santee Cooper flagship channel-cat water

Official source

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 South Carolina fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official South Carolina fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any South Carolina trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in South Carolina

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Marion?: Lake Marion carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override South Carolina's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Striped bass, Blue catfish, and Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Santee Cooper flagship — any-length largemouth, 5 / day combined black bass (smallmouth 12 in min statewide); striped bass 26 in min, 3 / day (open Oct 1 – June 15, CLOSED June 16 – Sept 30); 8 in min crappie, 20 / day; 25 / day blue catfish, no more than 2 over 32 in (2026 Act 120); channel + flathead catfish no statewide limit; where SC blue catfish were first stocked (1964)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Marion?: Yes. Lake Marion is in South Carolina, so a valid South Carolina fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Lake Marion; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Carolina rules.
Do Lake Marion's special rules replace South Carolina's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. South Carolina's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Marion by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Lake Marion?: Largemouth bass, Striped bass, Blue catfish, and Channel catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Marion, each linking to its full South Carolina regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Carolina limits.

← Back to South Carolina regulations overview