Lake Marion – Lake Marion, South Carolina

Lake Marion is the largest lake in South Carolina, covering over 110,000 acres and five counties! The lake is named for Revolutionary War hero General Francis Marion. Both Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie were created in the early 1940s as part of the Santee Cooper Project.

The project was part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal and aimed to create jobs, improve navigation, and provide hydroelectricity for rural areas. At the time it was the the largest land-clearing project in the nation’s history, with over 12,500 South Carolina workers clearing over 177,000 acres of swamp and timberland.

Lake Marion is a favorite spot among boaters and anglers. It’s known for its abundant population of large bass and catfish and is home to several state fishing records, including the record for biggest Largemouth Bass at 16.2 pounds!