IRMO, S.C. — Irmo SC fishing starts the week with Lake Murray at 353.97 feet on the USGS gauge near Columbia, about 6.03 feet below the 360-foot conservation pool and down roughly 0.40 feet over the past seven days.
The slow decline fits the fall drawdown that has been lowering the lake since early November, and it leaves ramps, points and shallow flats sitting differently than they did a month ago. Boaters running out of the Irmo side of the lake should plan on more exposed shoreline and watch for stumps and rock near the bank.
Tuesday brought clear skies, a light west-northwest wind near 3 mph, steady pressure around 1021 hectopascals and a high near 74 degrees. The new moon puts the overnight solunar peak between 11:55 p.m. and 1:55 a.m., with a second window from 12:18 p.m. to 2:18 p.m.
The rules have not changed with the season. Striped bass keepers on Murray and the middle Saluda are capped at five a day. From Oct. 1 through May 31 every fish kept has to measure at least 21 inches total length, and the no-minimum summer stretch does not come back until June 1.
Largemouth bass fall under a separate size rule. Anglers on Murray, along with the other lakes on the state list and the middle Saluda River, must release any largemouth under 14 inches.
Anglers using nongame devices face their own limits. A recreational license allows two traps and one trotline with no more than 50 hooks, while commercial license holders may set five traps and three trotlines with up to 150 hooks each.
Follow the latest Irmo SC fishing report for lake levels, ramp notices and tackle updates around Lake Murray and the Lower Saluda.
Filed under: Rock Hill SC Fishing News
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