Francis Marion National Forest

Recreational fishing is a high priority on the Francis Marion National Forest. A South Carolina fishing license is required. Creel limits are in effect unless otherwise posted. Wambaw, Chicken and Echaw Creeks, the Santee River, Awendaw Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway are some of the good fishing spots on the Francis Marion.

Wambaw Creek is best toured by canoe. It is impassable in many areas due to downed trees. Other streams popular with local anglers include Chicken and Echaw Creeks. The Santee River borders the northeast edge of the Wambaw District and offers good fishing, especially for those anglers with boats. Bream, bass, striped bass, crappie, catfish, and shad are the favored species. The lower portion of the Santee River along with Awendaw Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway provide saltwater fishing for red drum, spot, and catfish.

Guilliard Lake, an old oxbow off the Santee River, offers 10 acres of fishing for a variety of species. These species are usually similar to those found in the river.

Huger, Nicholson, and Turkey Creeks are the main creeks fished on the Witherbee District. Local anglers try for some of the large shellcrackers found in these waters.

Several small ponds provide good fishing for bass, bream, and catfish:

Bellfield, two acres, two miles northeast of Wambaw District office at FS Road 208
Wisdom Center, four acres, 6 miles southeast of Huger on FS Road 161 just south of Wisdom Center
Old Georgetown Road, two acres, three miles west of McClellanville on Georgetown Road just north of its junction with Highways 1335 and 1336
Twin Ponds, 10 acres, two miles north of Awendaw on FS Road 202
Rhem's Church, one acre, three miles north of McClellanville on FS Road 5084
Willow Hall, four acres, five miles southwest of Awendaw on FS Service Road 202
New Hope, four acres, one mile north of Shulerville off Highway 49 on FS Road 157
Upper Nebo, 1.5 acres, five miles south of Awendaw off U.S. Highway 17 on FS Road 5138
Cane Swamp, one acre, 1.2 miles west of Shulerville on FS Road 164
Middle Nebo, four acres, five miles south of Awendaw off U.S. Highway 17 on FS Road 5158
Bluebird, three acres, four miles south of Shulerville on FS Road 169
Lower Nebo, 1.5 acres, five miles south of Awendaw off U.S. Highway 17 on FS Road 5158
Jackie Pond, two acres, four miles southwest of Jamestown on FS Road 6364
Co-op Pond, two acres, six miles north of Huger on Highway 41
Asphalt Pond, two acres, seven miles south of Huger on Highway 41
Gator Pond, two acres, four miles northeast of Wando on Highway 100

Only electric motors may be operated on ponds and lakes managed by the Forest Service.