Ultimate Guide to Lake Murray Fishing Permit Requirements and Regulations

Lake Murray is a popular destination for recreational activities like jogging, cycling, kayaking, and fishing. Its 650 miles of shoreline and being home to a bountiful freshwater fish is enough to lure in anglers of all ages. But before casting your fishing line, you must know and understand the Lake Murray fishing permit requirements and regulations.

Lake Murray Real Estate Market Watch

As of May 2024, the median home sales price for homes in Lexington, SC, was $334,990. However, real estate values are always changing. Contact Southern Dreams Realty for help buying and selling homes near Lake Murray in South Carolina.

Lake Murray Fishing Permits and Regulations

Fishing in Lake Murray

• Lake Murray is open for fishing seven days a week, from 5:30 AM until sunset, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s holidays.
• There is a 100-foot no-fishing zone around the boat dock and courtesy dock.
• Anglers aged 16 and above must have a California State/Lake Murray fishing license.
• Anglers under 16 don’t need a license, but a daily fishing permit is required for those eight years and older.
• Lake Murray is home to over 12 fish species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, black crappie, and trout.

Cost for California Fishing License (Residents and Non-Residents)

If you want to apply for a resident fishing license, you must be a permanent resident in California for at least 30 days. Different fishing license types are available depending on the body of water you want to fish in. For a freshwater lake like Lake Murray, the cost for a resident fishing license is as follows:

• 14-Day Freshwater Fishing License – $5.00
• 1-Year Freshwater Fishing License – $10.00
• 3-Year Freshwater Fishing License – $30.00

For non-residents, the same rule applies. Anglers aged 16 and older need a California fishing license to operate in Lake Murray. The cost for a non-resident fishing license is:

• 14-Day Freshwater Fishing License – $11.00
• 1-Year Freshwater Fishing License – $75.00
• 3-Year Freshwater Fishing License – $105.00

Lake Permits

Everyone who enters Lake Murray for fishing, boating, or kayaking needs a lake permit. Kids aged eight years old and above who still need to be qualified for a fishing license also need to get a daily fishing permit to fish in Lake Murray.

• Adult Fishing Permit – $11.00
• Youth Fishing Permit – $4.00
• Senior Fishing Permit – $6.00

Lake Murray Fishing Regulations

• Catching a largemouth bass less than 12 inches in length is not allowed.
• The fish limits are five bass, five trout, five catfish, and 25 crappie and bluegill in aggregate–meaning you have a combined limit of five fish for those species.
• Other species have no limits.

Lake Murray Real Estate Experts

Do you need real estate services in the Lake Murray area? Click here to contact Southern Dreams Realty. We are local experts that can help with buying, selling, or property management. Reach out now to learn more.

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