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Public Fishing Spots · Charleston, SC

Public Fishing Spots in Charleston

9 listings · ranked by rating & reviews · updated 2026

Public fishing spots are the free, open-access places to wet a line - shorelines, banks, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and river access points that anyone can fish without booking anything. What you do need almost everywhere is a state fishing license, and rules on seasons, size and bag limits vary by state and often by water body, so it pays to check the local regulations before you go. Access, parking and facilities differ widely from spot to spot: some have boat ramps, restrooms and cleaning stations, others are just a pull-off and a trail to the water. The listings here help you find nearby public spots and what to expect when you arrive.

Below are 9 public fishing spots listings in Charleston, SC, ranked by Google review volume so you can start with the most established options and contact them directly. The most-reviewed is Bushy Park Boat Landing (4.4★, 347 Google reviews).

Typical pricing in Charleston

Typical Charleston charter pricing: roughly $500-$1,400 - a half-day inshore trip at the low end, a full-day offshore Gulf Stream charter at the top. Inshore guides are usually private for two anglers; confirm the all-in rate with the operator.

See our full guide to fishing in Charleston for neighborhoods, local pricing and how to choose.

Top public fishing spots listings in Charleston

  1. 1
    Bushy Park Boat Landing
    Charters

    Bushy Park Boat Landing

    Charleston

    Boat ramp in Goose Creek, SC · 4.4★ (347).

    ★ 4.4 · 347View →
  2. 2
    W. O. Thomas, Jr. Boat Landing
    Charters

    W. O. Thomas, Jr. Boat Landing

    Charleston

    Boat ramp in North Charleston, SC · 4.5★ (294).

    ★ 4.5 · 294View →
  3. 3
    RFishing Listing
    Charters

    Remleys Point Boat Landing

    Charleston

    Boat ramp in Mt Pleasant, SC · 4.5★ (265).

    ★ 4.5 · 265View →
  4. 4
    Wappoo Cut Boat Landing
    Charters

    Wappoo Cut Boat Landing

    Charleston

    Boat ramp in West Ashley, SC · 4.4★ (146).

    ★ 4.4 · 146View →
  5. 5
    Folly River Boat Ramp
    Charters

    Folly River Boat Ramp

    Charleston

    Boat ramp in Charleston, SC · 4.5★ (144).

    ★ 4.5 · 144View →
  6. 6
    Shem Creek Boat Landing
    Charters

    Shem Creek Boat Landing

    Charleston

    Boat ramp in Mt Pleasant, SC · 4.5★ (136).

    ★ 4.5 · 136View →
  7. 7
    Swamp Fox Dock & Marine
    Charters

    Swamp Fox Dock & Marine

    Charleston

    Dock builder in West Ashley, SC · 4.9★ (97).

    ★ 4.9 · 97View →
  8. 8
    John F. Limehouse Memorial Bridge
    Charters

    John F. Limehouse Memorial Bridge

    Charleston

    Boat ramp in Johns Island, SC · 4.4★ (97).

    ★ 4.4 · 97View →
  9. 9
    Sol Legare Boat Landing
    Charters

    Sol Legare Boat Landing

    Charleston

    Boat ramp in Charleston, SC · 4.2★ (94).

    ★ 4.2 · 94View →

FAQ

Public Fishing Spots in Charleston - common questions

How many public fishing spots are there in Charleston? +
Lure Compass lists 9 listings for public fishing spots in Charleston, SC.
Who has the best-rated public fishing spots in Charleston? +
By Google review volume, Bushy Park Boat Landing is the most-reviewed public fishing spots listing in Charleston (4.4★, 347 reviews). Rankings follow review count, not paid placement.
Do I need a license to fish a public spot? +
Almost always yes. Most states require a fishing license for anyone above a set age, whether you fish from shore or a boat, with some free-fishing days each year as an exception. Buy your license through your state wildlife agency and check the seasons, size and bag limits for the water you plan to fish.
Are public fishing spots free? +
The fishing access itself is typically free at public shorelines, lakes and river points, though some parks charge a day-use or parking fee and a state license is still required. Facilities range from full boat ramps and restrooms to nothing but a bank and a footpath, so check what a spot offers before you go.
How do I find good public fishing near me? +
Browse the public spots listed by city and state here for nearby shoreline, lake and river access, then confirm current conditions, access and any seasonal closures with the managing park or state agency. Local reviews can flag parking, crowding and what species people are catching.
How much does a fishing charter cost in Charleston? +
Charleston charters typically run about $500-$1,400 depending on trip and boat - half-day inshore trips at the low end, full-day offshore charters at the top. Confirm the all-in price with the operator.
What can you catch in Charleston? +
Inshore trips target redfish and speckled trout in the creeks and flats; offshore trips target mahi, tuna and wahoo in the Gulf Stream, plus snapper and grouper on the bottom. Ask operators which trip matches your target.
What is flood-tide redfish sight fishing? +
On the highest tides, redfish push up onto the grass flats where anglers sight-cast to them, often with fly gear - a specialized, weather-and-tide-dependent trip. Book an inshore guide who runs it and ask about timing.
Where do Charleston charters depart from? +
Most run from Shem Creek and the Charleston Harbor area. The ranked list below covers the Lowcountry by review volume and rating.

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Other categories in Charleston

Fishing ChartersFishing PiersBait & Tackle ShopsFishing GuidesMarinas & Boat Ramps