Horry County is loaded with fishing ponds — more than most people realize. Between retention ponds, agricultural ponds, county park ponds, and drainage systems, there’s accessible water within a few miles of virtually every address in the county. The challenge is knowing which water is legally fishable and where to find it.
This guide covers the publicly accessible options and gives you a framework for finding good water on your own.
SC DNR Public Fishing Areas in Horry County
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources maintains a Public Fishing Areas program — bodies of water that are open to anyone with a valid SC fishing license. Several are in or near Horry County. Check the current list at dnr.sc.gov/fish under “Public Fishing Areas” — the DNR updates this regularly and it’s the most reliable source for legal public fishing access.
These waters are stocked periodically with bass and bream and offer legitimate bank access at no charge beyond the cost of your license. They’re some of the most underutilized fishing spots in the county because most people don’t know they exist.
Horry County Park Ponds
Several Horry County parks include ponds where fishing is permitted. Park ponds receive light pressure compared to more well-known waters and often hold surprisingly good bass and bluegill populations because of consistent stocking and minimal fishing activity.
Contact Horry County Parks and Recreation directly for the current list of park locations with fishing access — these change periodically and calling ahead saves a wasted trip. Most park ponds are free to fish with a valid SC license during park hours.
Conway Area Canals and Drainage Ditches
The agricultural canal network around Conway is one of the best-kept fishing secrets in Horry County. These drainage canals — many running alongside public roads — hold excellent populations of bass, crappie, and catfish. They receive almost no fishing pressure from recreational anglers because they don’t look like traditional fishing spots.
What to look for: any drainage canal with vegetation, structure (logs, debris piles, grass edges), and sufficient depth to hold fish year round. Green water is a sign of healthy aquatic ecosystem. Brown, clear water with sandy bottom tends to hold fewer fish.
Important note: always confirm the road-adjacent canal is publicly accessible and not on private agricultural land before fishing. When in doubt, ask a local bait shop — Conway tackle shops know which canals are fair game.
The Waccamaw River — Bank Access Points
The Waccamaw River flows through Horry County from Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina down to Georgetown. It has multiple public boat ramp access points with adjacent bank fishing areas throughout the county. The river holds good bass, crappie, and catfish populations and the cypress-lined banks are classic South Carolina fishing habitat.
Several road crossings of the Waccamaw in Horry County have informal bank access near the bridge structures. These spots hold crappie around the bridge pilings and catfish in the deeper holes below the crossings. Local knowledge matters here — ask at Conway bait shops for current productive access points.
Retention Ponds — The Hidden Option
This is worth repeating because it’s genuinely underutilized: the retention and stormwater ponds in Horry County subdivisions and commercial developments often hold excellent fishing. The Myrtle Beach area has experienced explosive growth over the past 20 years — every new development requires retention ponds, and those ponds get stocked, receive runoff full of nutrients, and grow fish with minimal pressure.
Many HOA-managed ponds are fishable for residents and guests. If you’re staying in a rental property in the Myrtle Beach area, ask the host or the HOA whether the pond is fishable. A 3-pound bass from a neighborhood retention pond is still a 3-pound bass.
Tips for Finding New Spots in Horry County
Google Maps satellite view — zoom into any area of Horry County in satellite view and you’ll see ponds everywhere. The challenge is identifying which are publicly accessible. Look for ponds adjacent to public roads, parks, or state land.
Ask local bait shops — the tackle shops in Conway, Loris, and the back roads of Horry County are the best source of current local fishing intelligence. These folks fish locally and know what’s accessible and what’s producing.
SC DNR Interactive Map — dnr.sc.gov has an interactive mapping tool that shows public fishing waters, boat ramps, and WMA land. Essential resource for finding legal access.
Talk to locals — casual conversation at a boat ramp or a park can yield better fishing intelligence than any article. SC anglers are generally generous with information to fellow fishermen who ask genuinely.
What You’ll Catch
Horry County ponds consistently produce largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and bream, channel catfish, and occasional bowfin (mudfish). The tannin-stained water typical of Horry County ponds means green pumpkin and watermelon red soft plastics outperform natural colors. Chartreuse jigs are the standard for crappie. Nightcrawlers and chicken liver cover catfish in any of these waters.
A valid SC freshwater fishing license is required for all of these locations. Day licenses, annual licenses, and non-resident options are all available online at dnr.sc.gov or at Walmart, Bass Pro, and local tackle shops throughout the county.
Know a great publicly accessible pond in Horry County we didn’t mention? Share it in the comments — local spot tips are always welcome.