LivewellSouth Carolina · Lake
Lake Wateree
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lake Wateree, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
6 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
What's safe to eat from Lake Wateree
Black Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Blue Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Bowfin
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Striped Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Lake Wateree
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are South Carolina's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Striped Bass | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Hybrid Striped Bass | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Blue Catfish | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Flathead Catfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | 8" min | 20 | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Crappie | 8" min | 20 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | 30 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Redbreast Sunfish | — | 15 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Chain Pickerel | — | 30 | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Bass | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | — | 8 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: South Carolina — South Carolina DNR
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.2 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.2 mi Directions
- Wateree Marina marina 2.8 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.2 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.5 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.