The Intracoastal is a 40-mile stretch of calm, protected water running parallel to the coast between Little River Inlet and the South Carolina–North Carolina border, holding redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, and tarpon depending on season and tide

The Myrtle Beach Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is not a river—it is a dredged channel that connects a series of natural sounds, creeks, and marshes behind the barrier islands. The water is shallow, usually 4 to 12 feet, and stays relatively calm even when the Atlantic is rough. That makes it a different kind of fishing than the ocean, and a different kind than the rivers inland. You are fishing structure: dock pilings, marsh edges, oyster beds, and the channel drop-offs where deeper water meets the flats.

The ICW runs from Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach south through Murrells Inlet and down to Calabash, North Carolina. Most of the productive water for anglers lies between North Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet, a stretch where the channel is wide enough to hold fish but narrow enough that you can read the water and find them. Access is scattered—there is no single public boat ramp that serves the whole waterway—so knowing where to launch matters as much as knowing where to fish.

Key Takeaways

  • The Intracoastal holds redfish and spotted seatrout year-round, with tarpon arriving in summer and flounder moving in during fall and winter.
  • Public boat ramps at Barefoot Landing, Tilghman Marina, and Murrells Inlet Fishing Village give you access to different sections of the waterway.
  • Fish the marsh edges and dock pilings on incoming tide, and the channel drop-offs on outgoing tide when baitfish concentrate.
  • Shallow-draft boats—skiffs, kayaks, and small center-consoles—work better than deep-V hulls because much of the ICW is 3 to 6 feet deep.
  • Spring and fall are the most reliable seasons; summer brings tarpon but also heat and afternoon thunderstorms, while winter is slow but possible on warm days.

Barefoot Landing to Cherry Grove: The Northern Section

Barefoot Landing, at the north end of North Myrtle Beach, is the most accessible public launch for the ICW. The ramp is wide, well-maintained, and sits right on the waterway. Parking is ample, and the facility includes a tackle shop and restaurant. From here, you can fish north toward Little River Inlet or south toward Tilghman Marina, a distance of about 5 miles either way.

The water north of Barefoot Landing, toward Little River, is shallower and more marsh-dominated. Redfish hunt the grass flats here, especially on the incoming tide when they move shallow to feed. Spotted seatrout hold along the dock pilings of the residential areas and near the oyster beds that line the channel. In spring and fall, this section holds good numbers of both species. Summer is slower because the water warms and fish move deeper or out to the ocean.

South of Barefoot Landing toward Cherry Grove, the ICW widens and the channel deepens slightly. This is where you will find more boat traffic, especially on weekends, but also more consistent fishing. The marsh edges here are sharper and more defined, and the drop-off from the flats into the channel is more pronounced. Fish the edges on the incoming tide, casting toward the marsh and working your lure or bait back toward the channel.

Tilghman Marina to Murrells Inlet: The Central Section

Tilghman Marina, located on Highway 17 in Myrtle Beach proper, has a public ramp and is a good launch point for the central ICW. The ramp is smaller than Barefoot Landing and can get crowded on weekends, but it puts you in the heart of the productive water. From Tilghman, you can fish north to Barefoot or south to Murrells Inlet, each about 5 to 7 miles away.

This section of the ICW is where most charter boats and guides fish. The water is deep enough to hold fish year-round but shallow enough that you can see structure and read the tide. Dock pilings are everywhere—residential docks, commercial docks, and old pilings from structures long gone. Redfish and spotted seatrout use these pilings as ambush points, especially on the incoming tide when baitfish move shallow. Cast a topwater lure or a soft plastic near the pilings and work it slowly. The strike often comes on the pause.

Murrells Inlet, at the south end of this section, is wider and deeper than the rest of the ICW. It holds more water and more fish, but it also has more current and more boat traffic. The inlet is home to several charter boat operations and a public fishing pier. If you launch at Tilghman and fish south, you will reach Murrells Inlet in about 30 minutes at idle speed. The inlet itself is worth exploring—the marsh edges are productive, and the deeper water near the inlet mouth holds tarpon in summer and large redfish year-round.

Murrells Inlet Fishing Village: The Southern Gateway

Murrells Inlet Fishing Village, on Highway 17 just south of Murrells Inlet proper, has a public boat ramp, a tackle shop, and a restaurant. This is the southern end of the main ICW fishing area. From here, you can fish north back toward Myrtle Beach or south into the North Carolina waters around Calabash. The ramp is well-maintained and less crowded than Tilghman, though parking can be tight on weekends.

The water around Murrells Inlet is deeper and more open than the northern sections. The marsh is still present, but the flats are wider and the channel is more defined. This is good water for redfish and spotted seatrout, but it is also where tarpon show up in summer. Tarpon fishing in the ICW is sight-fishing—you pole or drift slowly and look for the fish rolling on the surface or cruising the shallows. It is not easy, but it is possible, and the fish are large and strong.

Seasonal Patterns and What to Target

The ICW is a year-round fishery, but the species and their behavior change with the seasons. Spring (March through May) is when redfish and spotted seatrout are most active. The water is warming, baitfish are moving, and the fish are hungry after winter. Fish the marsh edges and dock pilings on the incoming tide. Redfish will take topwater lures, soft plastics, and live shrimp. Spotted seatrout prefer softer presentations—small soft plastics, live shrimp, and mullet.

Summer (June through August) brings tarpon to the ICW. The water is warm, and tarpon move into the shallow sounds to feed. They are difficult to catch and require heavy tackle and patience, but they are worth the effort. Redfish and spotted seatrout are still present but slower. The afternoon thunderstorms are frequent and dangerous—fish early and get off the water by mid-afternoon.

Fall (September through November) is the second-best season. The water cools, redfish and spotted seatrout become active again, and flounder move into the ICW from the ocean. Flounder are bottom-feeders and prefer the deeper parts of the channel. Fish the drop-offs on the outgoing tide when baitfish concentrate. Use live mullet or soft plastics that mimic baitfish.

Winter (December through February) is slow but not impossible. The water is cold, and fish move deep. The ICW is less productive than the ocean or the rivers, but on warm days—when the water temperature climbs into the 50s—redfish and spotted seatrout will feed. Fish the deeper parts of the channel and move slowly. Live shrimp and small soft plastics work better than topwater.

Tides, Currents, and Reading the Water

The ICW is tidal water, and tide is everything. The tide in Myrtle Beach runs roughly north and south along the coast, and the ICW follows that pattern. On the incoming tide, water pushes into the sounds and marshes, and fish move shallow to feed. On the outgoing tide, water drains from the marshes, and fish concentrate in the channel and deeper holes.

Fish the incoming tide along the marsh edges and around dock pilings. This is when redfish and spotted seatrout are most aggressive. Fish the outgoing tide in the channel and at the drop-offs. This is when flounder and larger redfish hunt, and when baitfish are concentrated and vulnerable.

The ICW is shallow, and the bottom is soft mud and sand. You can run aground easily, especially on the outgoing tide when the water level drops. Use a depth finder if you have one, and if you do not, run slowly and watch the water color. Darker water is usually deeper; lighter water is usually shallower. Avoid the very shallow flats unless you are in a kayak or a very shallow-draft skiff.

Boat Types and Gear That Work

The ICW is not ocean water, and your boat should reflect that. A shallow-draft skiff, a small center-console, or a kayak will work better than a deep-V offshore boat. The water is rarely deeper than 12 feet, and often shallower. A boat that draws more than 2 feet will limit where you can fish and how much of the waterway you can explore.

Kayaks are popular on the ICW and for good reason. They are quiet, they draw almost no water, and they let you fish the shallow flats and marsh edges that boats cannot reach. A kayak will not get you to the deeper water as fast, but for sight-fishing and exploring, they are hard to beat.

Tackle should be medium-weight—6 to 8-pound test for redfish and spotted seatrout, heavier if you are targeting tarpon. Topwater lures, soft plastics (3 to 4 inches), and live bait all work. Redfish and spotted seatrout are not leader-shy, so you do not need fluorocarbon. Tarpon, if you target them, require heavier tackle and wire or heavy mono leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a boat to fish the Intracoastal, or can I fish from shore?

Most of the ICW is not accessible from shore because it runs behind the barrier islands and residential areas. A kayak is the cheapest option if you do not have a boat. You can launch a kayak at Barefoot Landing or Murrells Inlet and fish the shallow water and marsh edges. Some residential areas have public access points, but they are limited.

What is the best time of year to fish the Intracoastal?

Spring and fall are the most reliable. The water is comfortable, the fish are active, and the weather is stable. Summer brings tarpon but also heat and afternoon storms. Winter is slow but possible on warm days. If you are new to the ICW, start in April or May, or September through October.

Can I fish the Intracoastal at night?

Yes, and some anglers prefer it. The water is cooler, there is less boat traffic, and some fish are more active at night. You will need navigation lights and a good headlamp. Redfish and spotted seatrout will feed at night, especially around dock pilings and structure. Start with a guide if you are unfamiliar with the waterway.

What is the difference between fishing the ICW and fishing the ocean?

The ICW is shallow, calm, and structure-focused. You are fishing docks, pilings, and marsh edges rather than open water. The fish are the same species, but they behave differently in shallow water. The ICW is better for beginners and for sight-fishing. The ocean is better for larger fish and for days when the ICW is too crowded.

Do I need a saltwater fishing license to fish the Intracoastal?

Yes. South Carolina requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone over 16 who is not a resident fishing from shore. If you are fishing from a boat, you need a license unless the boat is registered as a charter. Buy your license online through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources website or at any tackle shop.