Fishing in Aiken County, South Carolina
County seat: Aiken. Population 168,808 (2020). SCDNR Region 3.
- 1lake pages
- 12landings
- 3river pages
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Aiken County fishing on SCDNR records
A county of 168,808 people in 2020, Aiken County is governed from Aiken. The county's SCDNR landings are mostly tagged SCDNR Region 3. The county holds 1 lake with pages; Boyd Pond is the biggest.
SCDNR lists 12 landings and paddle launches and 8 piers and bank sites across the county. Moving water with its own page includes Savannah River, South Fork Edisto River and Upper Three Runs. For trout, the county reaches Savannah River.
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.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Landings, piers and lakes of Aiken County on the map
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
Lake water on record in Aiken County
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boyd Pond | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | none on SCDNR lists |
Paged still water outside Aiken County, closest to Aiken first.
| Lake | From Aiken | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slades Lake | 21 miles northwest | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | none on SCDNR lists |
| Lick Fork Lake | 23 miles northwest | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Edgar Brown | 28 miles southeast | 100 acres | 4 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Murray | 42 miles northeast | 48,579 acres | 12 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish, Bluegill |
| Lake Thurmond | 43 miles northwest | 71,100 acres | 26 | major reservoir | Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass |
| Star Fort Pond | 46 miles north | 22 acres | 0 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
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.
Which fish crowd the lists near Aiken County
Each bar counts the lake pages within 50 miles of Aiken whose SCDNR access lists include the fish; Black Crappie shows up most.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 50 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
Still water in Aiken County listed but not profiled
Another 2 named waters in Aiken County are listed here without a full write-up.
| Water | Size | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| Langley Pond | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
| Skinface Pond | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
Outline area from the SCDNR Lakes and Reservoirs map layer (a GIS polygon area, not an SCDNR surface-acre figure), 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.
Streams SCDNR lists in Aiken County
- Savannah Rivertidal, SCDNR trout water, shared with Georgia, 15 SCDNR accesses, 1 USGS gauge
- South Fork Edisto River9 SCDNR accesses, 5 USGS gauges
- Upper Three Runs1 SCDNR access, 1 USGS gauge
Other Aiken County streams named by SCDNR (1)
- Island Creek1 SCDNR access
Live stream readings across Aiken County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Edisto River Above Springfield, Sc | 185 cfs, 10.24 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:45 pm |
| Upper Three Runs Near New Ellenton, Sc | 62 cfs, 5.95 ft gage height | Jul 1 12:45 am Not updated since Jul 1, 2026. |
| Shaw Creek At Wire Rd Near Aiken, Sc | 23 cfs, 10.90 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:15 pm |
| South Fork Edisto River Below Monetta, Sc | 19 cfs, 3.88 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| Mctier Creek Rd 209 Near Monetta, Sc | 8 cfs, 2.00 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
| Horse Creek At Clearwater, Sc | 10.22 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 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.
Mountain trout streams of Aiken County
- Savannah Rivertrout stream
South Carolina trout water rules
2026-2027 South Carolina Hunting & Fishing Guide, valid August 14, 2026 to August 14, 2027 (online guide), 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.
Ramp list for Aiken County from the SCDNR layer
- Aiken SP Canoe Trail Put-In on South Fork Edisto RiverSouth Fork Edisto River, paddle launch
- Aiken SP Canoe Trail Take-Out on South Fork Edisto RiverSouth Fork Edisto River, paddle launch
- Aiken State Park on South Fork Edisto RiverSouth Fork Edisto River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Box Landing on Upper Three RunsUpper Three Runs, boat ramp, dirt
- Davis Bridge Boat Ramp on South Fork Edisto RiverSouth Fork Edisto River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Highway 21 Boat Ramp on South Fork Edisto RiverSouth Fork Edisto River, boat ramp, 1 lane, gravel
- Jackson Boat Ramp on Savannah RiverSavannah River, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Langley Pond Boat RampLangley Pond, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Riverview Park on Savannah RiverSavannah River, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Skinface Pond Boat RampSkinface Pond, boat ramp, dirt
- Swamp Boat Ramp on Island CreekIsland Creek, boat ramp, 1 lane, dirt
- Savannah River Bluffs HP Paddle LaunchSavannah River, paddle launch, grass
Aiken County bank sites on the SCDNR layer
- Boyd Pond Park BankBoyd Pond, bank
- Langley Pond DocksLangley Pond, pier, other (see comments)
- Skinface Pond AccessSkinface Pond, bank
- Aiken State Park BankPond, bank
- Brick Park Pond (West Pond) PierPond, pier
- Langley Pond BankLangley Pond, bank
- Riverview Park Pier 1 on Savannah RiverSavannah River, pier, aluminum
- Riverview Park Pier 2 on Savannah RiverSavannah River, pier, aluminum
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.
What a Aiken County creel may hold
Most Aiken County fresh water follows the statewide limits below. A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day (freshwater), not exceeding the species limits (guide p. 28). Freshwater licenses run $10 for residents and $35 for visitors on the SCDNR fee page.
| 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 |
Special-limit lakes and rivers of Aiken County
- Savannah RiverSmallmouth Bass: Any length, No more than 10 combined total of black bass
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.
Heavyweights on the books around Aiken County
| Species | Weight as listed | List | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Striped Bass | 20-6 | freshwater | Savannah River | 1978 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
Aiken County Yellow Pages tackle and guide listings
Where to buy shrimp and minnows in Aiken County
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 321 Fabian Drbait and tackle shop, Aiken
- Barton Bait Distributorsbait and tackle shop, Aiken
- Northside Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Aiken
- Rainbow Falls Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Graniteville
- Sportsman's Cornerbait and tackle shop, North Augusta
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
Branching out from Aiken County
Where to base a trip in Aiken County
- Aikenpop. 32,025
- North Augustapop. 24,379
- Belvederepop. 5,380
- Clearwaterpop. 4,079
- Burnettownpop. 3,105
- New Ellentonpop. 2,210
- Jacksonpop. 1,521
Counties a short hop from Aiken County
- Barnwell County23 miles southeast
- Edgefield County25 miles northwest
- Lexington County31 miles northeast
- Saluda County32 miles north
Piscifun reels and leaders boxed up for Aiken County
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Tidal flats and reservoir coves by Aiken County, through the lens
Photo: Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jelene Morris, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Fishing around Aiken County: the questions that come up
Where can a boat be launched in Aiken County?
There are 12 landings and launches on SCDNR maps of the county.
Which lake in Aiken County is biggest?
Boyd Pond comes first with size not printed.
What can be caught near Aiken County according to SCDNR lists?
SCDNR access lists name Black Crappie on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Channel Catfish.
Does Aiken County have a bait and tackle listing?
5 listings, including Academy Sports + Outdoors, 321 Fabian Dr.
Which SC town hosts the Aiken County seat?
Aiken.
What does a fishing license cost for Aiken County water?
Freshwater licenses run $10 for residents and $35 for visitors on the SCDNR fee page.
What counties lie beside Aiken County?
By distance: Barnwell County, Edgefield County and Lexington County.
Is there a crappie size limit across Aiken County?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
Which SCDNR region covers Aiken County?
SCDNR Region 3, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Does the guide print rules for Aiken County waters?
1 water with a page here have a guide row of their own, beginning with Savannah River.
Which SCDNR records came from Aiken County?
Hybrid Striped Bass, 20-6 as listed, from Savannah River (1978).
Spend a Palmetto morning on Aiken County water
River pages list SCDNR accesses and USGS flow.