59 public waters in the Midlands region — 40 lakes/reservoirs and 19 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on an South Carolina licence.
See every public fishing venue in South Carolina on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Lexington, Newberry, Saluda and 1 more county in South Carolina — Lake Murray is a 48,761-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR: Lake Murray (48,000 ac) west of Columbia — 'the Jewel of South Carolina'. A national-calibre striped-bass fishery (open-water schooling on herring), largemouth and Spotted Bass, big White Perch, Crappie and Blue Catfish. The dam, the islands and Bomb Island (the purple-martin roost) are the landmarks.
Gunters Pond (170 acres) sits in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Spartanburg and Lexington Counties, South Carolina — Silver Lake is a 111-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR (public water access): An Upstate water-supply reservoir (Bowen, Blalock, Cooley, Robinson, Cunningham) — largemouth and Spotted Bass, Bream, Crappie and Channel Catfish. Electric-motor or small-outboard water, managed by the local water district.
In Lexington County, South Carolina, Johnson Pond is a 72-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR (public water access). An SCDNR State Lake or small public pond — managed and stocked for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, shellcracker (redear), Channel Catfish and Crappie, with a pier and bank access. Some have their own creel or boat-motor rules; a few are drained on a rotation.
Lexington Acres Pond, a 58-acre lake in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lexington County, South-Carolina — Paxton Millpond is a 58-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Lexington County, South Carolina, Fort Pond is a 51-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR (public water access). An SCDNR State Lake or small public pond — managed and stocked for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, shellcracker (redear), Channel Catfish and Crappie, with a pier and bank access. Some have their own creel or boat-motor rules; a few are drained on a rotation.
Hunt Pond, a 50-acre lake in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Lexington County, South-Carolina, Davis Pond is a 42-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Huffman Burnt Millpond (39 acres) sits in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lexington County, South-Carolina — Ridgells Pond is a 37-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lake Durham, a 37-acre lake in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Lexington County, South-Carolina, Steedman Pond is a 34-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Brooker Millpond, a 34-acre lake in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Lexington County, South-Carolina, Urquhart Pond is a 31-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lexington Mill Pond (29 acres) sits in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Lexington County, South-Carolina, Huckabees Millpond is a 29-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lexington County, South-Carolina — Sharpes Pond is a 28-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Lexington County, South-Carolina, Crystal Springs Lake is a 27-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Brodie Millpond (25 acres) sits in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lexington County, South-Carolina — Geiger Pond is a 23-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Gibson Pond (23 acres) sits in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Arrants Pond, a 23-acre lake in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lexington County, South Carolina — Gibsons Pond is a 21-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR (public water access): An SCDNR State Lake or small public pond — managed and stocked for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, shellcracker (redear), Channel Catfish and Crappie, with a pier and bank access. Some have their own creel or boat-motor rules; a few are drained on a rotation.
Crouts Pond, a 21-acre lake in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Lexington County, South-Carolina, Pooles Millpond is a 20-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Lexington County, South-Carolina, Smith Pond is a 18-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lake Quail Valley, a 18-acre lake in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lexington County, South-Carolina — Batesburg Reservoir is a 17-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lexington County, South-Carolina — Taylor Millpond is a 17-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Pitts Lake, a 17-acre lake in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Redmonds Pond, a 16-acre lake in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Sterling Lake (16 acres) sits in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Ballington Pond (16 acres) sits in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lexington County, South-Carolina — Hayes Pond is a 16-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR: Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Lexington County, South-Carolina, Archers Lake is a 15-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Lexington County, South-Carolina, Redmond Pond is a 15-acre lake, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Brooker Pond (15 acres) sits in Lexington County, South-Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Lexington County, South Carolina — Huffstetler Pond is a 14-acre lake, managed by County Land: A Piedmont / Midlands power reservoir (Wateree / Wylie / Greenwood / Monticello) — Largemouth Bass, a strong white-Perch and Crappie fishery, trophy blue and Flathead Catfish, and stocked hybrid or Striped Bass. Warm discharge keeps the winter bite going on several.
Shealy Pond, a 13-acre lake in Lexington County, South Carolina, managed by South Carolina DNR (public water access): An SCDNR State Lake or small public pond — managed and stocked for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, shellcracker (redear), Channel Catfish and Crappie, with a pier and bank access. Some have their own creel or boat-motor rules; a few are drained on a rotation.
The Saluda — the Lower Saluda tailwater below Lake Murray is a cold, year-round put-and-take (and holdover) Trout fishery running through Columbia, one of the southernmost Trout rivers in the country. Above the lake it's a redeye-bass and redbreast river.
Orangeburg, Aiken and Lexington Counties, South Carolina — North Fork Edisto River is a 164 km stream: A South Carolina blackwater river (Edisto — the longest free-flowing blackwater river in the US — Little Pee Dee, Lynches, Black, Salkehatchie, Combahee, Waccamaw) — tannic, cypress-lined water full of Redbreast Sunfish ('robins'), Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Bowfin, Gar and pickerel, with big Flathead Catfish in the deeper bends. Classic sandbar-camping paddle rivers.
The Congaree — formed at Columbia where the Broad meets the Saluda, running through Congaree National Park. Redeye Bass on the shoals in town, then blue and Flathead Catfish, largemouth, Striped Bass and a spring Shad run in the swamp reach. A superb float below the Gervais Street bridge.
In Lexington and Richland Counties, South Carolina, Congaree Creek is a 24 km river or creek. A big South Carolina river (Santee / Congaree / Wateree / Pee Dee / lower Savannah) — trophy blue and Flathead Catfish are the headline, plus channel cats, largemouth, a spring striped-bass and American-Shad run, White Perch and redbreast. Fish the deep holes, the bends and the tailraces.
Bull Swamp Creek runs 23 km through Lexington and Orangeburg Counties, South Carolina: A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
Twelvemile Creek (19 km) flows through Lexington County, South Carolina. A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
In Lexington and Aiken Counties, South Carolina, Black Creek is a 20 km river or creek. A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
Camping Creek (19 km) flows through Newberry and Lexington Counties, South Carolina. A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
Red Bank Creek runs 14 km through Lexington County, South Carolina: A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
Little Hollow Creek runs 12 km through Lexington County, South Carolina: A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
Chinquapin Creek runs 11 km through Aiken, Lexington and Saluda Counties, South Carolina: A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
Big Beaver Creek (11 km) flows through Calhoun and Lexington Counties, South Carolina. A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
In Lexington County, South Carolina, Lightwood Knot Creek is a 12 km river or creek. A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
Fourteenmile Creek runs 10 km through Lexington County, South Carolina: A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
Wolf Pit Branch runs 6 km through Lexington and Aiken Counties, South Carolina: A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
In Newberry and Lexington Counties, South Carolina, Rocky Branch is a 4 km river or creek. A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
Rawls Creek runs 8 km through Lexington and Richland Counties, South Carolina: A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
In Lexington, Saluda and Newberry Counties, South Carolina, Whetstone Creek is a 8 km river or creek. An Upstate (Oconee / Pickens / Greenville) mountain Trout stream — wild and stocked rainbow and Brown Trout, with native Brook Trout in the headwaters of the Chattooga, Chauga and Eastatoe systems. The freshwater licence covers Trout; a Wildlife Management Area permit is needed on the WMA reaches.
Wateree Creek (7 km) flows through Richland, Lexington and Fairfield Counties, South Carolina. A warmwater South Carolina river or large creek — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Access at road crossings, county landings and WMA boat ramps.
Across its mapped waters, Lexington County holds 27 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Redear Sunfish, Black Crappie, Blue Catfish and White Crappie.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the South Carolina map Join PiscaMapsOne South Carolina fishing licence covers every public water in the state — resident annual about $15, non-resident annual about $50, with non-resident 1-day and 3-day options. A separate South Carolina trout licence (~$10 res / ~$20 non-res) is required to fish for or possess trout, and Public Fishing Area ponds also need a South Carolina Lands Pass. South Carolina residents 65+ fish free. Buy at GoOutdoorsSouth Carolina.com.