Fishing Winyah Bay and the Five Rivers

Few places on the East Coast give an angler this many options inside a ten-mile radius.

The Black, Great Pee Dee, Little Pee Dee, Waccamaw and Sampit Rivers all converge at Georgetown and empty through Winyah Bay into the Atlantic. That means blackwater river fishing, tidal creek fishing, bay fishing, inshore flats and nearshore ocean — all reachable from the same boat ramp.

Inshore. Redfish, speckled trout and flounder work the creeks, grass flats and oyster bars around the bay. [CONFIRM seasonal patterns and any current regulations.]

The rivers. Upstream, the blackwater rivers hold largemouth, bream, catfish and — in spring — striped bass and shad runs.

Here are the rivers most closely associated with Georgetown:

  • Sampit River — This is the river visitors experience most directly in downtown Georgetown. The historic Harborwalk and Front Street waterfront overlook the Sampit, and boats coming into downtown Georgetown from the Intracoastal Waterway turn from the Waccamaw into the Sampit. It eventually opens into Winyah Bay. Because of its relationship with Georgetown’s harbor, the Sampit has been central to the city’s maritime and commercial identity.
  • Waccamaw River — The Waccamaw approaches Georgetown from the north after flowing through North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. SCDNR says it travels about 104 miles through South Carolina’s Coastal Plainbefore terminating at Winyah Bay. It’s a classic Lowcountry river characterized by forest, wetlands and dark, tannin-influenced water in many areas. The Waccamaw also forms part of the Intracoastal Waterway route into Georgetown, making it important for recreational boating as well as its natural significance. 
  • Great Pee Dee River — This is the giant of the group. The Pee Dee basin covers approximately 7,860 square miles, making it South Carolina’s largest river basin. The river originates in North Carolina and flows through the Coastal Plain before reaching the Georgetown/Winyah Bay area. A roughly 70-mile stretch from the U.S. 378 bridge to Winyah Bay is designated a South Carolina State Scenic River. Historically, the river system was enormously important for moving agricultural products from inland plantations toward Georgetown’s port.
  • Black River — The name is very descriptive: this is a beautiful blackwater river, with dark water influenced by tannins from decaying vegetation. It winds through extensive swamps before joining the lower Pee Dee system near the coast. SCDNR says the Black River runs unimpounded for roughly 123 miles through the Coastal Plain, and a 75-mile portion received State Scenic River designation in 2001. It has a much wilder, quieter character than Georgetown’s downtown waterfront, and conservation efforts emphasize its scenic, cultural and ecological resources. 
  • Little Pee Dee River — The Little Pee Dee is farther inland and doesn’t run alongside downtown Georgetown, but it belongs to the larger river network that eventually reaches Georgetown. It begins in North Carolina, travels through northeastern South Carolina and ultimately merges with the Great Pee Dee. 

Nearshore and offshore. Out past the jetties, the options open up considerably.

Licenses. A South Carolina saltwater or freshwater license is required depending on where you fish. Most charters cover their passengers — confirm when booking.

When to come. Fall is the local favorite. The water is still warm, the fish are feeding, the summer boat traffic has thinned, and the marsh is gold.