Lake Moultrie is a large man-made lake in South Carolina. Created in the 1940s by a state utility project to provide electricity to rural SC by damming the Santee River, it covers more than 60000 acre. The third largest lake in the state, it provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including fishing.

Location

Lake Moultrie is located in Berkeley County, South Carolina. It is fed by the Santee River through Lake Marion and a diversion canal. Nearby towns include Moncks Corner, Bonneau Beach, Cross, and St. Stephen.

History

Lake Moultrie was created in the early 1940s by the South Carolina Public Service Authority. It was formed by construction of Pinopolis Dam as part of a flood control and hydroelectric power project. It didn't dam the Cooper River but a tributary created by the damming of the Santee River on Lake Marion. It covers about 60000 acre. It was named for Governor William Moultrie. The reservoir or lake offers extensive recreational opportunities as well.

Fishing

Lake Moultrie offers a varied fishing environment. It has areas of shallow swamps, black water ponds, thousands of tree stumps and live cypress trees, as well as large open areas of water. This lake does not form ice in the winter. A world record channel catfish weighing 58 lb was caught from this lake. The lake also holds the state record for black crappie (5 lbs).