What You'll Find at Little River Inlet

Little River Inlet sits at the North Carolina–South Carolina border, about 20 minutes north of North Myrtle Beach. It's a tidal inlet where freshwater from the Little River meets the Atlantic, creating a mix of habitat that holds redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, and Spanish mackerel depending on the season. The inlet itself is narrow and can run fast during tide changes, but the surrounding waters—the sound behind the inlet, the creek systems feeding it, and the nearshore ocean—offer different fishing depending what you're after and when you go.

Access here is straightforward. You can launch a boat from the public ramp at Little River, South Carolina (on the creek side), fish the inlet mouth itself, or wade the shallow flats and marsh edges that line both sides. The inlet mouth gets rougher in winter and during nor'easters, but spring through fall it's usually manageable for small boats and kayaks. The real advantage is that it's less crowded than the piers and jetties closer to Myrtle Beach, and the fishing pressure is lighter.

Key Takeaways

  • Little River Inlet holds redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, and Spanish mackerel, with the best fishing from April through October.
  • Launch your boat at the Little River public ramp in South Carolina, which sits on the creek about a mile from the inlet mouth.
  • Wade the shallow flats and marsh edges on either side of the inlet during incoming tide, when fish move shallow to feed.
  • The inlet mouth itself runs fast during tide changes and can be rough in winter, so plan your trip around slack water and calm forecasts.
  • Bring light tackle for redfish and trout in the shallows, and heavier gear if you're targeting Spanish mackerel or fishing the deeper inlet channel.

Seasonal Patterns and What Bites When

Spring (April and May) brings spotted seatrout and redfish into the shallows as water temperatures climb. The marsh creeks and flats around the inlet warm up first, so fish move in early. You'll find them in 2 to 4 feet of water over grass and mud, feeding on small baitfish. Live shrimp or mullet work well, as do soft plastics in natural colors. Incoming tide is your best window—fish move shallow to hunt.

Summer (June through August) shifts the bite deeper and earlier in the day. Midday heat pushes fish into the inlet channel and the deeper sound water. Redfish still hunt the flats in early morning and late evening, but by mid-morning they've moved to 6 to 10 feet. Spanish mackerel show up in the inlet mouth and just outside, especially on the incoming tide. Flounder hold tight to the channel edges and deeper holes. Fish early, take a break during the heat, and return in the late afternoon.

Fall (September and October) is often the most consistent. Water cools, fish move back to the shallows, and they feed aggressively before winter. Redfish and trout are everywhere—the flats, the creek mouths, the inlet edges. Baitfish are abundant, so live shrimp and mullet are your best bet. By late October, water temperatures drop and the bite slows, but it's still solid if you pick the right tide.

Winter (November through March) is hit or miss. Cold water pushes fish deeper and into the sound. The inlet mouth gets rough, and the shallow flats are less productive. If you fish, focus on the deeper channel, the sound side, and the creek mouths where water stays slightly warmer. Flounder fishing can be decent in the deeper holes, but most anglers take a break or head to the piers.

How to Launch and Where to Fish

The Little River public boat ramp is your main access point. It's located in Little River, South Carolina, on the creek side of the inlet. There's a parking area and a single-lane ramp that's well-maintained. The ramp is free, and you can launch kayaks, small center-console boats, and skiffs without issue. At high tide, the ramp is easier to use; at low tide, the creek shallows out and you may need to pole or wade your boat to deeper water.

From the ramp, you have three main fishing zones. The first is the creek itself—the Little River runs inland for several miles, and the lower creek (the first 2 to 3 miles from the ramp) holds redfish and trout year-round. Fish the bends, the deeper holes, and the marsh edges. The second zone is the inlet mouth itself—this is where the creek meets the ocean, and it's a funnel for fish moving in and out with the tide. The inlet mouth is best fished during slack water or the first hour of an incoming tide, when the current isn't ripping. The third zone is the sound water behind the inlet—this is shallower, more protected, and holds redfish and trout on the flats and in the marsh creeks that feed the sound.

Wading is also productive here. The flats on both sides of the inlet are shallow enough to wade, especially on lower tides. Bring a push pole or wade belt, and fish the grass edges and the deeper pockets. Redfish and trout hunt these edges, especially on incoming tide. Kayaks work well for reaching the back creeks and the shallow flats without spooking fish.

Tackle and Bait That Works

For redfish and spotted seatrout, light tackle is the standard. A 6 to 7-foot medium-light spinning rod with 10 to 15-pound braid works for most situations. Pair it with a 12 to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader to avoid line-shy fish in clear water. Live shrimp is the most reliable bait—fish it under a popping cork in shallow water, or on a simple jig head in deeper water. Live mullet works for larger redfish and trout, especially in fall and spring.

Soft plastics are effective and easier to cast all day. 4 to 5-inch paddle-tail shads in natural colors (pearl, chartreuse, natural shad) work well on a 1/8 to 1/4-ounce jig head. Fish them slowly along the bottom in deeper water, or cast them to grass edges and let them sink. Topwater plugs can be deadly in early morning and late evening, especially in spring and fall when fish are aggressive.

For Spanish mackerel and other pelagics in the inlet mouth, step up to a 7 to 8-foot medium spinning rod with 20-pound braid and a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. Small silver spoons (1/2 to 3/4-ounce) cast well and mimic baitfish. Live mullet or mackerel also work if you can keep them alive. Flounder fishing calls for a heavier setup—a 6 to 7-foot medium-heavy rod with 15 to 20-pound braid, and live mullet or shrimp fished on the bottom in the deeper channel.

Tides, Weather, and When to Go

Tides matter here more than most places. The inlet is narrow, and water moves fast during tide changes. Plan to fish during slack water (the 30 to 45 minutes around high or low tide when current is weakest) or the first hour of an incoming tide, when fish move shallow to feed. Outgoing tide can work, but the current pushes fish deeper and makes casting harder. Check the tide tables for Little River Inlet before you go—they're available online through NOAA or most fishing apps.

Weather is critical. The inlet mouth faces the open ocean, and it gets rough quickly in wind or swell. A 2 to 3-foot ocean swell makes the inlet mouth unsafe for small boats. Check the marine forecast before you launch. Spring and fall typically have calmer conditions than summer and winter. If you're wading or kayaking, wind from the north or northeast can push water out of the sound and lower levels, making the flats too shallow to fish.

Early morning (sunrise to 9 a.m.) is usually the most productive time, especially in spring and fall. Fish are feeding after the night, and the water is calmer before the wind picks up. Summer midday fishing is slower, so plan to fish early and late. Fall and spring offer the most consistent fishing throughout the day.

Rules, Seasons, and What You Need to Know

North Carolina and South Carolina have different regulations, and Little River Inlet sits right on the border. If you're fishing from the South Carolina side (the creek and the sound), you need a South Carolina saltwater fishing license. If you're fishing the inlet mouth or the ocean side, you need a North Carolina license. Both states offer short-term licenses (3-day or 7-day) if you don't want to buy an annual one. Check the current regulations for size and bag limits on redfish, trout, flounder, and mackerel—they change year to year and differ between states.

Redfish have a slot limit in both states, meaning you can only keep fish within a certain size range. Spotted seatrout also have size and bag limits. Flounder and Spanish mackerel have their own rules. Carry a measuring device and know the current limits before you fish. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries both publish current regulations online.

The inlet itself is open year-round, but winter conditions can be dangerous. The inlet mouth is exposed to the Atlantic, and nor'easters can create steep, chaotic waves. If you're new to the inlet, fish it in calm conditions first to learn the layout and the current patterns.

Nearby Options If Little River Inlet Doesn't Work

If the inlet is too rough or the bite is slow, you have options nearby. Calabash, North Carolina (about 15 minutes north) has a protected creek system and several public boat ramps. The Calabash River holds redfish and trout and is calmer than the inlet. Shallotte Inlet (about 20 minutes north) is similar to Little River but slightly larger and more exposed. South of Little River, the North Myrtle Beach area has piers, jetties, and creek access that are easier to fish in rough conditions.

If you want to stay in the Little River area but avoid the inlet mouth, fish the creek itself or the sound flats. Both hold fish year-round and are protected from ocean swell. The trade-off is that you won't encounter Spanish mackerel or other pelagics, but redfish and trout are reliable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Little River Inlet from shore?

There's no public pier or jetty at the inlet mouth itself, but you can wade the flats on either side, especially at lower tides. The marsh edges and grass flats hold redfish and trout. Kayaking is also an option if you have access to one. The main boat ramp is your best bet for consistent access.

What's the best time of year to fish here?

April through October is most productive, with spring and fall offering the most consistent fishing. Summer can be good early and late in the day. Winter is slower and the inlet mouth gets rough, so most anglers focus on the creek and sound during cold months.

Do I need a boat to fish Little River Inlet?

No. You can wade the flats, fish from a kayak, or walk the marsh edges. A boat gives you more range and access to the inlet mouth and deeper water, but plenty of redfish and trout are caught from shore and in shallow water.

What's the current size limit for redfish here?

Redfish have a slot limit in both North Carolina and South Carolina, but the exact range changes year to year. Check the current regulations from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources or North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries before you fish. Both states publish updated rules online.

Is the inlet mouth safe to fish in a small boat?

It depends on conditions. In calm weather and light wind, it's fine for a small center-console or skiff. In swell or strong wind, it gets rough quickly. Check the marine forecast and ocean swell forecast before you launch. If you're new to the inlet, fish it in calm conditions first.