Biggest lakes in South Carolina: the top 10 by size

Q: What is the second biggest lake in South Carolina?

Lake Moultrie, at 60,000 acres.

How big are the biggest lakes in South Carolina? Here are the top 10, with their size and what to do on each.

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

#	Lake	Size	Shoreline
1	Lake Marion	110,000 acres
2	Lake Moultrie	60,000 acres	about 65 mi
3	Lake Hartwell	56,000 acres	about 962 mi
4	Lake Murray	50,000 acres	about 650 mi
5	Lake Keowee	18,500 acres	about 153 mi
6	Wateree Lake	13,900 acres	about 100 mi
7	Lake Wylie	13,400 acres	about 325 mi
8	Lake Greenwood	11,400 acres	about 96 mi
9	Lake Jocassee	7,500 acres	about 51 mi
10	Monticello Reservoir	about 6,650 acres	about 35 mi

1. Lake Marion

At 110,000 acres of water, Lake Marion is a huge piece of water. The fish here are catfish, striped bass, largemouth bass and crappie. It goes down to about 77 ft. Its bed shows two point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Lake Marion today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Moultrie

At 60,000 acres of water, Lake Moultrie is a huge piece of water. The lake is right by Bonneau Beach. Expect catfish and crappie. The deepest water is around 75 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Part of the Santee Cooper lakes system together with Lake Marion, one of the largest reservoir complexes in the South.

Lake Moultrie today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Hartwell

At some 56,000 acres, Lake Hartwell is a huge piece of water. Expect striped bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass and crappie. At about 185 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Hartwell today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake Murray

At 50,000 acres, Lake Murray is a huge piece of water. It holds striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. At about 190 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Murray today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Keowee

At 18,500 acres, Lake Keowee is a big lake. You will find it near Seneca. It is the Keowee River behind Keowee Dam. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and crappie are the draw. At about 150 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Cools the Oconee Nuclear Station and is known for clean, clear water. It is a clear lake, so long casts and a quiet approach pay off.

Lake Keowee today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Wateree Lake

Wateree Lake covers 13,900 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Columbia (about 28 miles). The fish here are largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass and crappie. It goes down to about 64 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. One of South Carolina's oldest man-made lakes, built for hydroelectric power on the Wateree River.

Wateree Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Wylie

At some 13,400 acres, Lake Wylie is a big lake. Largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and striped bass are the draw. It goes down to about 82 ft.

Lake Wylie today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Lake Greenwood

Lake Greenwood covers 11,400 acres. It lies near Ninety Six. Buzzards Roost Dam holds it on the Saluda River. The usual South Carolina mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. At about 69 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. A Depression-era hydroelectric reservoir on the Saluda River whose outflow continues on to Lake Murray.

Lake Greenwood today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Jocassee

Lake Jocassee covers 7,500 acres of water. You will find it near Pickens. It is the Keowee River behind Jocassee Dam. The fish here are smallmouth bass, spotted bass and trout. The deepest water is around 326 ft. One of the clearest and deepest lakes in the Southeast, set within Devils Fork State Park. It is a clear lake, so long casts and a quiet approach pay off.

Lake Jocassee today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Monticello Reservoir

Monticello Reservoir spreads over about 6,650 acres. It lies about 25 miles southeast of Columbia. Catfish are the draw. At about 89 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

Monticello Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

The bigger the lake, the more the wind matters. Plan the day around the forecast, start on the sheltered side and give yourself a way home if it builds.