Santee Cooper Country

08/15/2026

Here’s how we’d spend an August day in Santee Cooper Country ⤵️

1. Get on Lake Marion early before the afternoon heat. Fishing, kayaking, or a morning boat ride.

2. Head somewhere shaded like Mepkin Abbey or the boardwalks at Beidler Forest.

3. Cool off at Palmetto Shores with the pool and lake right there.

4. Take the Swamp Boat Adventure at Cypress Gardens and spend some time inside the Butterfly House and Swamparium.

5. Grab a cold beer at Sumter Original Brewery or New Realm on Daniel Island.

6. Find dinner on the water at The Lake House or The Kingstide.

7. Finish with sunset over Lake Marion or Lake Moultrie.

08/10/2026

There’s something about Swan Lake Iris Gardens that makes you slow your pace without even realizing it. The walking paths wind along the water, the swans seem to move without a care in the world, and every visit feels a little different depending on the season.

The gardens are open every day from sunrise to sunset, and they’re completely free to visit.

Bring a friend, take a walk, and spend an hour enjoying one of the most beautiful spots in Santee Cooper Country.

08/08/2026

🎣 BASS CLASS IS COMING TO A SOUTH CAROLINA LAKE NEAR YOU! 🎣

We’re excited to announce the 2026–2027 Bass Class schedule! Bass Class is a fun, hands-on three-hour educational program designed for boys and girls in grades 2–12 who want to learn more about bass fishing, improve their skills, and spend time with others who share their love of fishing.

Presented by Santee Cooper Outdoors, South Carolina High School Bass Challenge, and South Carolina B.A.S.S. Nation Youth Tournament Trail, Bass Class will be traveling across South Carolina this season!

📍 2026–2027 BASS CLASS SCHEDULE
🎣 Oct. 3, 2026 — Santee Cooper Lakes
🎣 Oct. 31, 2026 — Lake Greenwood
🎣 Nov. 7, 2026 — Lake Murray
🎣 Dec. 5, 2026 — Lake Wateree
🎣 Jan. 30, 2027 — Lake Keowee
🎣 March 13, 2027 — Santee Cooper Lakes
🎣 April 24, 2027 — Lake Wateree

⚠️ Space is limited! No more than 20 Youth Anglers will be registered for each Bass Class, so be ready when registration opens.

🔗 Online registration links are coming soon!

Whether your young angler is just discovering bass fishing or already spends every chance they get on the water, Bass Class is about learning, growing, building confidence, making friends, and helping develop the next generation of South Carolina anglers.

📞 For more information, contact Whitney M. Phillips at 803-460-9379.

SAVE THE DATES, SHARE THE FLYER & GET READY TO GO FISH!

08/08/2026

08/08/2026

There’s nothing quite like a summer morning on Lake Marion.

The water is calm, the boats are already heading out before sunrise, and every cast carries the chance of a story worth telling. Whether you're chasing striped bass, catfish, or just a few quiet hours on the water, this is what summer in Santee Cooper Country is all about.

08/06/2026

We have immediate openings for park hosts at Santee State Park, from NOW through the end of December! See info below and email [email protected] to apply or for more information!

08/05/2026

If you've never spent a day in Sumter, you're missing one of the best small towns in Santee Cooper Country. Here's how we'd do it.

Start your morning at Swan Lake Iris Gardens. Walk the trails, watch the swans drift across the water, and enjoy one of the most peaceful places in South Carolina before the day gets going. The gardens are free to visit and open from sunrise to sunset, so there's no reason to rush.

When you're ready for breakfast, head downtown to Tin Lizzie's. Grab a coffee, settle in for a good meal, then spend some time wandering Main Street and Liberty Street. There are local shops, historic buildings, and plenty of reasons to slow your pace.

Next, stop by the Sumter County Museum. It's one of the best places to learn about the area's history, and the Carolina Backcountry Homestead out back is well worth the walk.

For lunch, make your way to Sidebar for barbecue before heading over to Poinsett State Park. The trails wind through longleaf pines, blackwater creeks, and some of the prettiest scenery you'll find just outside town.

As the day winds down, grab dinner at . Whether you're in the mood for a steak, one of their wood-fired pizzas, or a great cocktail on the patio, it's hard to go wrong.
If you've still got a little energy left, finish the night at . Grab a local beer, head up to the rooftop, and take in the view before calling it a day.

We think that's a pretty great way to spend a day in Sumter.

08/05/2026

August Fishing Report 2026.

Chasin The Wild Outdoors TV and Carolina

Sportsman TV


Striper season is closed.

Drift fishing for Catfish in 10-20 ft has been good. cut shad and herring. Lots of smaller Channel cats being caught in the diversion canal on shrimp and a variety of stink bait.

Drift fishing in 18-30 has also been good with santee cooper rigs with fresh herring

Bream should be on the bed end of August on the full moon. Good numbers of bream on the brush in 15-30 ft on lake Moultrie. Fish grass beds, shaded cypress trees and lily pads in 2-5ft on lake Marion. Plenty of scattered bream all along these areas.

Crappie are being caught in 20-30 ft on brush. Small jigs and live minnows seem to be the bait of choice.

Cooper river salt water.
Trout, reds, black drum and sheepshead are biting good along the creek mouths coming into the cooper river. Live shrimp and
Finger Mullet under a popping or slip cork are the bait of choice.

Bass
Captain Kyle Austin

August pattern is pretty close to July ! Early mornings keep your eyes and ears open for schilling fish on the surface. Use walking top water baits to target these fish

Water temps are 84-90 degrees! I would look for fish in 10-20 ft of water. Ledges , brush , stumps, offshore grass, and rock piles. Big Texas rig worms, deep diving crankbaits, jerkbaits , etc. to target these fish! It can be tough in July but still some summer time big fish still biting!

08/05/2026

Help us celebrate Landon’s BIG BASS! Way to go, Landon! Keep on casting lines and reeling in those big fish! We are so proud of you!!