Located in Berkeley, Lake Moultrie is South Carolina’s largest lake, covering 60,000 acres. It was created in the 1940s when the Cooper River was dammed, and is characterized by its gently sloping shores and shallow swamps. The depth of the lake varies greatly due to the lake bottom undulating: the deepest areas are between 10 and 30 ft.
Many submerged tree trunks are present in Lake Moultrie, which, along with the abundance of aquatic vegetation, provide habitat for species such as perch, pickerel, and largemouth bass. Blue catfish and flathead catfish were also introduced in the 1960s, and these have adapted well, proving popular with anglers.
As well as being a great fishing lake, Moultrie offers a venue for a number of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, and wildlife watching.
Fish Species in Lake Moultrie
1) Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
The largemouth bass is widespread throughout North America, and studies have shown that this species displays morphological diversity depending on where individuals reside: for example, largemouth bass from Lake Moultrie have been shown to be larger than individuals from other regions.
This species has a diet that varies depending on which stage of the life history an individual is in. Adults consume crustaceans and fishes, and while juveniles feed on these organisms too, they also target insects. Smaller largemouth bass tend to be preyed on by herons and kingfishers, despite their attempts to hide in the aquatic vegetation that is abundant in Lake Moultrie.
Female largemouth bass tend to be larger than the males. With reported maximum lengths of 97 cm (38 in), these are popular game fish and are reported to be found in great numbers around the hatchery in Lake Moultrie, where there is a channel of deeper water.
2) Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)
Striped bass are a popular game fish, reaching lengths of up to 200 cm (79 in). They are fierce predators; adults usually prey on other fish species and large crustaceans, while juveniles tackle small crustaceans, annelid worms, and insects. This species does not reside in Lake Moultrie all year round – studies have shown that some individuals travel up the Congaree River for spawning, and others move between Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion throughout the year.
The speed and agility of the striped bass can be attributed to its anatomy: their wedge-like tail grants them the ability to rapidly accelerate, even against strong currents. Their fins, as in most teleost fish, are strengthened by hard spines and softer fin rays, covered with folds of skin. This allows them to be flexible, but not adequately supported so that they don’t collapse under the pressure of the water as the fish pushes against it.
The best times of year to fish for striped bass are in spring and in the fall, as it is during these times that they group together to forage, in preparation for migration. They are most active under the cover of darkness, but may also be fished for at dusk and dawn when light levels are low.
3) White bass (Morone chrysops)
White bass are also commonly known as silver bass or sand bass. Although they are closely related to striped bass, white bass are just a fraction of the size, with a maximum length of 45 cm (18 in). Adults feed on smaller fish species, including some of the juvenile sunfish present in Lake Moultrie. Juvenile white bass consume a slightly different diet of small invertebrates such as midge larvae, transitioning to a fish-based diet once they have grown to around 25 cm (10 in) in length.
White bass prefer to spawn over a rocky substrate in fast-flowing water – spring spawning is an ideal time to fish for this species, as they migrate into rivers and streams. Once fertilized, the eggs sink to the river bottom and adhere to the rocks, remaining there until the fry hatch, after which they school and travel back into the reservoir.
Some of the recommended baits for catching white bass include minnows, red worms, dragonflies, and mealworms. The best times to fish for this species are from April – May and August – September.
4) Chain pickerel (Esox niger)
The chain pickerel is a member of the pike family; thus this species is a voracious predator that feeds on a varied diet of fishes, amphibians, crayfish, mice, and insects. The slender, elongated body of Esox niger reflects its ability to move swiftly and smoothly through the water, and these fish have a high degree of control over their heads and jaws, further aiding the hunting and catching of prey.
Reaching lengths of up to 99 cm (39 in), chain pickerel are popular game fish and are reported to jump repeatedly once hooked, making them an exciting catch for many. They prefer vegetated areas with clear water and tend to occupy deeper, colder waters during summer, whereas in winter they are more commonly found in the shallows. In summer and fall, this species can be aggressive and is easily caught, although chain pickerel may also be caught through the ice during winter.
During spawning, the male swims alongside the female, and the release of sperm and eggs is accompanied by the lashing of tails. The eggs adhere to aquatic vegetation or submerged tree roots – once hatched, the fry also cling to these surfaces.
5) Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
Blue catfish are large game fish, reaching lengths of up to 165 cm (65 in). They tend to prefer areas with muddy, sandy, or gravelly substrate, and remain near the lake bottom in deep water during the daytime, traveling upwards through the water column at night to feed. The diet of the blue catfish includes aquatic invertebrates and fishes. While blue catfish do utilize their vibrissae to locate prey, in clear water they also rely heavily on their eyesight and have been observed to chase prey near the surface.
This species was introduced into Lake Moultrie in 1964 and 1965 when around 800 individuals were brought in from Arkansas. The population is now well-established in the lake, with several record-breaking fish being caught there since.
Blue catfish typically reach maturity between 4 and 5 years of age, although this does vary depending on the region and the temperatures the fish are exposed to, with fish in more northern regions reaching sexual maturity a year or two later than those in the south. During spawning, male blue catfish construct nests under the shelter of sunken debris, such as logs or rocks. The eggs hatch after around seven days, and the male provides parental care in the form of guarding the eggs and fry.
6) Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Channel catfish are similar in appearance to blue catfish, although are slightly smaller, with a maximum recorded length of 132 cm (52 in). A clear distinguishing feature of channel catfish is the dark spots along its flank and back, which the blue catfish lacks. Another feature used to identify the channel catfish is its deeply forked tail, which other catfish species do not possess.
Ictalurus punctatus has a preference for clear, well-oxygenated water, although they have been shown to thrive in muddy waters as well. They tend to reside in holes or under sunken objects such as trees during the day, coming out at night to forage on fishes, crustaceans, clams, and snails.
Similar to the blue catfish, channel catfish create nests in sheltered areas, preferring to spawn in semi-dark conditions. While the male does guard the eggs, in the event of a disturbance he may consume some of them. Those that do hatch are guarded by the male for around a week before he leaves.
7) Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris)
Flathead catfish can reach lengths of 155 cm (61 in), and have a characteristic flattened head with barbels around the mouth – these aid the fish in hunting for food. This species is usually pale yellow or brown, with a lighter ventral region, and has just a small indentation in the tail (whereas blue and channel catfish have forked tails).
Pylodictis olivaris are solely piscivorous, predating species such as largemouth bass, sunfish, and other catfish (including occasional cannibalism). Adults prefer turbid water with plenty of sunken debris under which they can hide, whereas juveniles tend to prefer areas with sandy or rocky substrate with more swift-flowing currents.
They are solitary fish, becoming highly aggressive if they encounter other individuals, especially during spawning. Once laid, the eggs are fiercely defended by the male, who also fans them with his tail to oxygenate them and maintain the cleanliness of the nest. Spawning in flathead catfish is very sensitive to environmental changes: drought or flooding may reduce spawning behavior, and females may not release eggs if they are undernourished.
8) Longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)
The longnose gar is also known as the ‘needle nose gar’ due to its elongated snout. This fish can grow to a great size, with a maximum recorded length of 200 cm (79 in), and a maximum recorded weight of 55 lbs. Longnose gars prefer vegetated areas, where they predate a wide variety of fishes such as bluegill and sunfish, although they will also consume insects and crustaceans.
Sight-fishing is recommended for catching longnose gar. They can put up a fight once hooked, which makes them a popular and exciting game fish, combined with the fact that they are ambush predators, so may strike the lure very suddenly.
Longnose gars are considered a primitive species, as they possess a number of features that relate to the early evolutionary history of ray-finned fish. These features include the spiral valve intestine and a large, highly vascularized swim bladder that enables this species to air-breathe. Many modern fish species have not retained these features, making the longnose gar an ideal model for evolutionary research.
9) Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
The black crappie is silver-green in color, with an abundance of black spots covering its flanks and back. It has a compressed body shape with a rounded back and can reach lengths of up to 50 cm (20 in). Individuals tend to group together to form schools in vegetated areas with muddy or sandy substrate and clear water. Adults feed on small fishes, whereas juvenile black crappies consume planktonic crustaceans and insect larvae. Juvenile black crappies tend to feed near the surface of the water, which may put them at increased risk of predation by birds.
Minnows are recommended bait when fishing for crappie. The areas of Lake Moultrie in which black crappie can be found vary depending on the time of year: in February, for example, they can be found in large quantities around the mouths of creeks feeding into the lake, whereas in summer they are located in deeper water near sunken debris.
During spawning, the male constructs a nest by clearing an area on the lake floor. While the male remains after spawning to guard the eggs, the female moves on and may spawn with multiple males.
10) White crappie (Pomoxis annularis)
White crappies are similar to black crappies but have a less rounded back and shallower chest. They tend to be silvery-green in color, with a slightly darker dorsal region and very subtle bars of color down the flanks. In contrast with black crappies, white crappies prefer turbid water with a muddy substrate, where they feed on fish, microcrustaceans, and insects.
This species tends to spawn over clay or gravel. The eggs adhere to aquatic vegetation, although some drift and attach to other material such as sunken debris. The male guards the nesting area until the eggs hatch, which can take 2 – 4 days depending on water temperature, during which time the male may mate with multiple other females.
White crappies change positions in the lake depending on the time of year: in summer they remain in deeper water, whereas in the fall they venture into the shallows, hiding amongst brush piles.
11) Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
While the bluegill is not an especially popular game fish, it does still play a significant role in fisheries. With a maximum length of 41 cm (16 in), this species is distinctive in appearance, with an olive-green dorsal region, fading to orange-yellow on the belly. In addition, it has a dark spot at the base of the dorsal fin and a dark opercular flap.
This species inhabits weed beds over a gravelly substrate and is most active at dawn and dusk, when it feeds on snails, crayfish, worms, and minnows. Research has shown that when prey is present in abundance, bluegill will be more choosy about the size of what they tackle, whereas when there is less food available they are less discriminating.
Spawning in bluegill takes place from May to August. The divergent behavior patterns of males during spawning are especially interesting, with two different behavioral strategies being utilized. Some males offer parental care by building nests, courting females, and guarding the eggs, whereas other males pretend to be females, allowing them to sneak in and mate without having to expend energy on providing for the offspring. A constant state of equilibrium is maintained with numbers of each type of male so that both strategies remain evolutionarily viable.
12) Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)
Although the pumpkinseed is native to North America, it has been widely introduced across Europe as well. It thrives in quiet, well-vegetated areas, where it consumes a diet of fish eggs, mollusks, and insects. The pumpkinseed’s name originates from the shape of the fish, which is rather compressed and laterally symmetrical.
Pumpkinseeds are known to hybridize with other members of the sunfish family: the resultant hybrids are usually sterile, with fast growth rates. The ecological impact they can have, both as a result of hybridization but also on the food web in non-native areas, has led to them being classed as a ‘nuisance species’ by many.
The adaptability and plasticity of many of the pumpkinseed’s features (such as the ability to vary their diet, and tolerate a wide range of temperatures) have been credited with their widespread distribution. Research into the metabolic rate of the pumpkinseed at various times of the year has proposed the existence of a strategy not unlike that seen in hibernating mammals.
13) Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus)
The redbreast sunfish has a maximum length of 30 cm (12 in), although is more commonly found at around 10 cm (4 in). This species prefers rocky or sandy substrate with some aquatic vegetation, although won’t reside in areas where this is too dense. Redbreast sunfish consume a diet consisting almost entirely of insects, although they will also feed on mollusks and crayfish. Compared to other sunfish species, the redbreast sunfish is slightly less deep-chested and more elongated in shape.
In some areas, the redbreast sunfish is considered invasive and has had adverse effects on populations of other sunfish species due to competition arising. This species has also been found to harbor a number of parasites, such as nematodes and leeches, which have the potential to spread to other species.
During spawning, the male constructs a nest, which he lines with gravel. Redbreast sunfish tend to prefer spawning in shallow areas where there is some cover, such as sunken logs. The male guards the eggs and fry when they first hatch from predators and cleans the nest by fanning his tail. There is evidence to suggest that one male may mate with several females, as many of the fry show unexpected morphological differences.
14) Redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus)
The redear sunfish has a compressed shape with a deep body. It fades from dark green dorsal scales to an almost white ventral region, and can easily be distinguished from other sunfish by the red edge of its opercular flap. Interestingly, the genus name Lepomis means ‘scaled gill cover’, a feature shared by all in the sunfish family.
This species is also known as the shellcracker, a title that originated due to the row of hard ‘teeth’ in the fish’s throat, the role of which is to crush the shells of mollusks, which form a large proportion of the redear sunfish’s diet. In addition, these fish have been found to consume insect larvae and cladocerans.
Redear sunfish are reportedly hard to catch, being bottom feeders and quite discriminating about the bait used. Live bait is typically best, such as worms, grass shrimp, or crickets.
15) Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus)
The warmouth has a heavier body than other members of Lepomis, and tends to be dark, mottled brown in color. Their maximum recorded length is around 30 cm (12 in), and while they are not particularly large, they are still sought after as game fish. This fish has a large mouth, and their tongue is lined with tiny teeth that aid in the consumption of its prey.
While juvenile warmouth consume zooplankton and small insects, adults’ diets consist of fish, larger insects, and mollusks. Warmouths capture their prey using a sucking motion through their mouths, which often results in them consuming a large amount of detritus at the same time.
During the breeding season, the male warmouth’s eyes turn red. He builds and fiercely defends the nest, which is usually located on muddy substrate near banks or other structures providing shelter. The male remains for 5 – 6 days after spawning to guard the nest.
16) White perch (Morone americana)
The white perch is not a ‘true’ perch, but belongs instead to the temperate bass family. Reaching up to 58 cm (23 in) in length, these fish range in color from silvery-green to grey, with a darker, rounded dorsal region.
Tending to occupy more exposed, less vegetated areas with a muddy or sandy substrate, white perch feed on crustaceans, fish eggs, and other fish. In turn, white perch are predated on by the striped bass and catfish in Lake Moultrie. Due to the white perch’s love for fish eggs, it is considered a pest in many areas, as it can decimate fisheries.
The best time to catch white perch is either early or late in the day, although they are fairly easy to catch, so may be found throughout the daytime as well. Look for them hiding in the shadows on warm days, and lure them in by jigging the bait – these fish love to chase their prey so this is a great way to draw them in!
17) Yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
Yellow perch can reach lengths of up to 50 cm (20 in), although they are more commonly found at lengths of just 19 cm (7 in). These fish have paler bellies with dark backs and dark vertical stripes along their sides.
They tend to prefer clear water with some aquatic vegetation, where they feed on insects, fish, and fish eggs. Yellow perch are active during the daytime, and are occasionally seen schooling close to shore during spring, a behavior which may relate to spawning (occurring February through to July).
Yellow perch are widely stocked, although in some areas their introduction is claimed to have adverse effects on biodiversity. Their swift growth rates combined with their excellent taste render them a popular game fish.
