Lake Murray
lake in South Carolina
Warmwater lake with extensive shoreline, weedlines and docks that produce excellent sight-fishing for largemouth and spotted bass in spring and summer.
Mild fall temperatures (67°F
- 01Mild fall temperatures (67°F, overcast, light wind) on Lake Murray.
- 02Consistent subsurface activity expected; midges, aquatic worms, crayfish, baitfish, and leeches are key forage.
- 03Top flies: Crappie Jig Fly (8-12), Chironomid Pupa (12-20), Woolly Bugger (Olive) (4-8), Crayfish (Fly) (2-6), San Juan Worm (10-14).
- 04Focus on submerged structures (crappie) and deeper channels/rocky ledges (catfish).
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Crappie Jig Fly
Crappie are actively spawning or preparing to spawn around structure in the fall, making jig flies highly effective.
Buy at AmazonChironomid Pupa
Chironomid pupae are a consistent food source in Lake Murray year-round, and actively fished beneath an indicator can entice both crappie and catfish.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
This versatile streamer imitates leeches and baitfish, which are a consistent food source for predatory crappie and catfish in Lake Murray throughout the fall.
Mop Fly
A grub/larvae imitation, the Mop Fly is a general workhorse, effective for enticing bottom-feeding catfish in Lake Murray during the fall.
Crayfish (Fly)
Crayfish are a primary food source for predatory fish, including crappie and catfish, in Lake Murray's rocky areas throughout the fall.
Buy at AmazonScud (Pink/Orange)
Freshwater shrimp (scuds) are a consistent year-round food source in Lake Murray, making a pink or orange variation effective for crappie and catfish in the fall.
Buy at AmazonSan Juan Worm
A consistent attractor pattern, San Juan Worms are particularly effective for crappie and catfish after any rainfall or flow fluctuations in Lake Murray, common in fall.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Dreher Island State Park
One of the best launching points for accessing flats, docks and ringed weedlines for topwater fly fishing.
Saluda Shoals Park / North Access
Access to the upper arms of the lake with productive shoreline structure and spring creeks.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Mt. Yonder Fly Fishing
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South Carolina season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Quick answers
Common questions about Lake Murray.
What flies work best on Lake Murray?
Our top scored fly patterns for Lake Murray right now are Crayfish (Fly) (80% confidence), Panfish Popper (80% confidence), Mop Fly (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Lake Murray?
Lake Murray holds Crappie, Catfish. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Lake Murray fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Lake Murray each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.