Best Winter Fishing Spots in Charleston, SC

Charleston’s winter fishing is one of the Lowcountry’s best-kept secrets. When the summer crowds disappear and water temperatures drop into the 50s, the creeks clear up, redfish school tightly, and speckled trout stack into deep holes. Here are the top spots to wet a line from December through February.

1. Charleston Harbor Jetties
The rock jetties at the mouth of the harbor hold some of the area’s biggest winter fish. Sheepshead and black drum feed along the rocks all season, and fiddler crabs or clams fished tight to the structure are the go-to baits. You’ll need a boat, and calm days are essential, since winter fronts can make the harbor entrance rough.

2. Shem Creek and the Mount Pleasant Marshes
The tidal creeks off Mount Pleasant are a winter redfish playground. Cold, clear water lets you sight-cast to schools of reds pushing across mudflats on low tide. A kayak or shallow-draft skiff is ideal. Try gold spoons, soft-plastic paddle tails, or cut mullet on a sunny afternoon after the flats have warmed a few degrees.

3. Mount Pleasant Pier
Located at Memorial Waterfront Park beneath the Ravenel Bridge, this pier is a convenient, family-friendly option. Winter anglers target red drum, black drum, and trout along the deeper channel edges. It’s also a great spot to scout bait and watch tide movement before a trip into the creeks.

4. Stono River
The Stono’s deep bends and creek mouths attract speckled trout as water temps fall. Work soft plastics slowly near the bottom on a falling tide. Redfish also hang around oyster bars and docks throughout the river.

5. Cooper and Wando Rivers
These rivers become trout highways in late fall and winter as fish move into deeper, more stable water. Focus on docks, drop-offs, and creek mouths. Live shrimp under a popping cork works early in the season; switch to slow-rolled jigs once it gets colder.

6. Ashley River
Often overlooked, the Ashley offers protected water when wind makes the harbor unfishable. Trout and redfish hold around bridge pilings, marsh points, and creek mouths along its banks. It’s an easy run for small boats and kayaks launching from the city.

7. Lighthouse Inlet / Morris Island
On the north end of Folly Beach, the inlet near the Morris Island Lighthouse offers surf fishing for whiting, black drum, and redfish. It’s also one of the most scenic spots in the region, especially at sunrise.

Winter Fishing Tips

• Fish the afternoon. Water warms through the day, and fish are often most active from noon to dusk.
• Slow down. Cold fish are lethargic, so retrieve lures slowly and fish near the bottom.
• Watch the tides. Low tide concentrates redfish in creeks and makes them easier to find.
• Check the rules. A South Carolina saltwater fishing license is required, and SCDNR sometimes adjusts trout regulations after severe cold snaps, so check current size and bag limits before you go.

With fewer boats and crystal-clear water, winter might just be Charleston’s most rewarding fishing season.