Fishing in Abbeville County, South Carolina
County seat: Abbeville. Population 24,295 (2020). SCDNR Region 1.
- 2lake pages
- 12landings
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The fishing makeup of Abbeville County
Abbeville is where Abbeville County keeps its seat, in a county of 24,295 at the last census. By SCDNR access records, the county falls mostly in SCDNR Region 1. Sorted by size, Lake Russell heads the county's 2 lakes with pages.
Within the county line SCDNR places 12 landings and paddle launches and 12 piers and bank sites.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 9, 2026. SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026.
SCDNR access pins scattered over Abbeville County
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
Which Abbeville County lakes have full write-ups
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Russell | 9,899 acres | 14 | major reservoir | Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass |
| Lake Secession | 1,425 acres | 1 | major reservoir | Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout |
From Abbeville, these lakes beyond the Abbeville County boundary are the nearest with pages.
| Lake | From Abbeville | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Fort Pond | 21 miles east | 22 acres | 0 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Greenwood | 21 miles east | 11,400 acres | 8 | major reservoir | none on SCDNR lists |
| Boyd Pond | 26 miles southeast | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | none on SCDNR lists |
| Lake Thurmond | 28 miles south | 71,100 acres | 26 | major reservoir | Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass |
| Lick Fork Lake | 37 miles southeast | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Slades Lake | 38 miles southeast | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | none on SCDNR lists |
Surface acres and depth as SCDNR prints them on its page for this lake, read November 9, 2026. Sizes SCDNR does not print show as mapped outline area. Species as SCDNR lists them at its access points.
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Bars show how many lakes within 50 miles of Abbeville list each fish; Black Crappie tops the count.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 50 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
River and creek guides for Abbeville County
USGS gauges reporting from Abbeville County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Long Cane Creek At Old Hodges Rd Nr Hodges, Sc | 6.32 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026. USGS Water Data for the Nation, live through the site, retrieved on page view.
Where Abbeville County boats go in
- Allen Creek Boat Ramp on Lake RussellLake Russell, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Beer Garden Creek Boat Ramp on Lake RussellLake Russell, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved
- Blue Hole Boat Ramp on Lake RussellLake Russell, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Calhoun Falls State Recreational Area Boat Ramp on Lake RussellLake Russell, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Calhoun Park on Lake ThurmondLake Thurmond, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Felkel Boat Ramp on Lake RussellLake Russell, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Harpers Ferry Boat Ramp on Lake RussellLake Russell, boat ramp, 3 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Highway 184 Boat Ramp on Lake SecessionLake Secession, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Jim Rampey Recreation Area Boat Ramp on Lake RussellLake Russell, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Latimer Boat Ramp on Lake RussellLake Russell, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, fishing pier
- Manor Boat Ramp on Lake RussellLake Russell, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved
- Millwood Boat Ramp on Lake RussellLake Russell, boat ramp, 3 lanes, concrete or paved
Shore and pier access around Abbeville County
- Blue Hole Recreation Area Bank on Lake RussellLake Russell, bank
- Blue Hole Recreation Area Pier on Lake RussellLake Russell, pier, wood
- Calhoun Falls Bank Fishing Area Bank on Lake RussellLake Russell, bank
- Calhoun Falls Bank Fishing Area Pier on Lake RussellLake Russell, pier, wood
- Calhoun Falls State Park Pier on Lake RussellLake Russell, pier, wood
- Lake Secession Dam PierLake Secession, pier, wood
- Lake Secession Dam Tailrace BankLake Secession, bank
- Felkel Access Area Pier on Lake RussellLake Russell, pier
- Jim Rampey Recreation Area Pier on Lake RussellLake Russell, pier, concrete or paved
- Jim Rampey Recreation Area Pier on Lake RussellLake Russell, pier, concrete or paved
- Latimer Pier on Lake RussellLake Russell, pier, concrete or paved
- Parson's Mountain Lake Campground BankPond, bank
SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026. The SCDNR layer carries no fee or hours field.
Lake gauge numbers in Abbeville County
Lake Russell
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Russell Lake Above Calhoun Falls, Sc | 473.82 ft lake elevation | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Richard B. Russell Dam reading for Lake Russell, November 9, 2026.
USACE Savannah District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 9, 2026. Provisional.
The state guide limits that reach Abbeville County
These statewide freshwater limits cover Abbeville County unless the guide prints a rule for the lake or river. A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day (freshwater), not exceeding the species limits (guide p. 28). Plan on $10 (in-state) or $35 (out-of-state) for twelve months of freshwater fishing.
| Species | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| American Eel | 9 inches min | 25 |
| Blue Catfish | See limits in Freshwater Nongame Fishing Regulations section. | See limits in Freshwater Nongame Fishing Regulations section. |
| Bream | Any length | 30 |
| Redbreast Sunfish | Any length | 15 |
| Crappie | 8 inches min | 20 |
| Walleye & Sauger | Any length | No more than 8 combined total of walleye or sauger |
| Chain Pickerel | Any length | 30 |
| Redfin Pickerel | Any length | 30 |
| Yellow Perch | Any length | 30 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12 inches min | No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids |
| Redeye (Bartrams) Bass | Any length | No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids |
| Largemouth Bass | Any length | No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids |
| Spotted Bass | Any length | 15 |
| White Bass | Any length | 10 |
| Striped or Hybrid Bass or a combination | Any length | 10 |
Water-specific limits across Abbeville County
- Lake RussellSmallmouth Bass: Any length, No more than 10 combined total of black bass
- Lake SecessionLargemouth Bass: 14 inches min, No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids
Which Abbeville County lakes straddle the line
- Lake RussellAll persons holding a valid license from Georgia or South Carolina will be allowed to fish in the waters covered by this agreement.
South Carolina border water rules
2026-2027 South Carolina Hunting & Fishing Guide, valid August 14, 2026 to August 14, 2027 (online guide), read November 9, 2026. License prices as printed on the SCDNR license pricing pages (dnr.sc.gov), read November 9, 2026.
SCDNR record entries close to Abbeville County
| Species | Weight as listed | List | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass | 63 | freshwater | Lake Russell | 2009 |
| Walleye | 10-0 | freshwater | Lake Russell | 1994 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
Organizer events listed for Abbeville County
3 posted events and results fish Abbeville County water; 1 have not been held yet.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 6, 2027 | Fishers of Men SC Upstate Classic, Lake Russell | Lake Russell | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| Feb. 21, 2026 | Fishers of Men SC Upstate Classic, Russell February 21, 2026 | Lake Russell | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| Jan. 18, 2025 | Fishers of Men SC Upstate Classic, Russell January 18, 2025 | Lake Russell | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Supplies and guides listed for Abbeville County
Stores with fishing gear in Abbeville County
- Ryan's Marinamarina, Iva
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
Other places to try past Abbeville County
Census places of Abbeville County on this site
- Abbevillepop. 4,874
- Calhoun Fallspop. 1,727
- Due Westpop. 1,219
County lines around Abbeville County
- Greenwood County19 miles east
- Anderson County23 miles northwest
- McCormick County24 miles south
- Laurens County31 miles northeast
Piscifun picks that fit a day around Abbeville County
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Tidal flats and reservoir coves by Abbeville County, through the lens
Photo: Mark Bonica, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Chris Steude, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Excel23, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: change-of-venue, CC BY-SA 2.0
Questions folks bring up about Abbeville County
How many public landings does SCDNR map in Abbeville County?
12 landings and launches, named in the access list above.
Which reservoir or pond in Abbeville County is the biggest South Carolina water?
It is Lake Russell, 9,899 acres.
Which fish lead SCDNR lists close to Abbeville County?
SCDNR access lists name Black Crappie on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Channel Catfish.
Where do Abbeville County anglers stock up on shrimp and minnows?
There are 1; Ryan's Marina is one.
In what town does Abbeville County keep its courthouse?
It is Abbeville.
What will a year of fishing Abbeville County cost?
Plan on $10 (in-state) or $35 (out-of-state) for twelve months of freshwater fishing.
Which counties border Abbeville County?
Greenwood County, Anderson County and McCormick County lie nearest.
How many crappie may be kept in Abbeville County?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
Under which SCDNR region is Abbeville County listed?
SCDNR Region 1, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Which Abbeville County waters carry their own guide row?
2 waters with a page here have a guide row of their own, beginning with Lake Russell.
Do team trails fish Abbeville County?
3 organizer entries on file; next is Fishers of Men SC Upstate Classic, Lake Russell on Lake Russell, Feb. 6, 2027.
Which SCDNR record traces to Abbeville County water?
Striped Bass, 63 as listed, from Lake Russell (2009).
Are Abbeville County lakes shared with another state?
All persons holding a valid license from Georgia or South Carolina will be allowed to fish in the waters covered by this agreement.
Hitch the boat for Abbeville County
Check a lake's own guide row before keeping fish.