Fishing in Barnwell County, South Carolina
County seat: Barnwell. Population 20,589 (2020). SCDNR Region 3.
- 1lake pages
- 7landings
- 2river pages
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How Barnwell County shapes up for anglers
The Barnwell County courthouse sits in Barnwell; 20,589 residents were tallied there in 2020. SCDNR files the bulk of its access points here under SCDNR Region 3. Lake Edgar Brown leads the 1 lake in the county that have their own guide. The county has 1 state lake on the SCDNR state lake list; Lake Edgar Brown is one.
Count 7 landings and paddle launches and 11 piers and bank sites in the SCDNR layer for the county. The county's river guides cover Savannah River and Salkehatchie River. Trout rules apply on 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.
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SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
Barnwell County lake pages by acreage
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Edgar Brown | 100 acres | 4 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
Few paged lakes sit inside Barnwell County, so the closest ones over the line follow, measured from Barnwell.
| Lake | From Barnwell | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake George Warren | 30 miles south | 400 acres | 2 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Webb Center Lakes | 44 miles south | 10 acres | 0 | mapped lake | none on SCDNR lists |
| Slades Lake | 49 miles northwest | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | none on SCDNR lists |
| Lick Fork Lake | 51 miles northwest | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Murray | 58 miles north | 48,579 acres | 12 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish, Bluegill |
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.
Most-listed fish on lakes close to Barnwell County
Around Barnwell, 100 miles out, Black Crappie turns up on the most SCDNR lists.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 100 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
State-run fishing lakes of Barnwell County
| State lake | Size | Fishing hours | Boat and motor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Edgar Brown | 100 acres | 24 hours a day | Motor allowed, only outboard motors rated at 10 hp or less are allowed north of Wellington Road |
South Carolina state lake 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.
Smaller Barnwell County waters without a page yet
1 additional named waters in Barnwell County stay on this list until more is printed about them.
| Water | Size | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| Barnwell State Park Lake | 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.
Barnwell County waterways with SCDNR access
- Savannah Rivertidal, SCDNR trout water, shared with Georgia, 15 SCDNR accesses, 1 USGS gauge
- Salkehatchie River5 SCDNR accesses, 2 USGS gauges
USGS sites logging Barnwell County rivers
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Salkehatchie R At Sc Hwy 64 Nr Barnwell, Sc | 5.93 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 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 Barnwell County holds trout
- Savannah Rivertrout regulations apply
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.
Landings SCDNR maps for Barnwell County
- Barnwell State ParkBarnwell State Park Lake, paddle launch
- Ramp A on Lake Edgar BrownLake Edgar Brown, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Ramp C on Lake Edgar BrownLake Edgar Brown, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Ramp D on Lake Edgar BrownLake Edgar Brown, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Ramp E on Lake Edgar BrownLake Edgar Brown, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Rays Crossing Boat Ramp on Salkehatchie RiverSalkehatchie River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Steel Creek Boat Ramp on Savannah RiverSavannah River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
SCDNR shore points across Barnwell County
- Kilkenny Park on Lake Edgar BrownLake Edgar Brown, bank
- Lake Edgar Brown (Bryan Road) BankLake Edgar Brown, bank
- Lake Edgar Brown (Wellington Road) BankLake Edgar Brown, bank
- Lake Edgar Brown (Wellington Road) Pier 1Lake Edgar Brown, pier, wood
- Lake Edgar Brown (Wellington Road) Pier 2Lake Edgar Brown, pier, wood
- Lake Edgar Brown Bank Fishing (north)Lake Edgar Brown, bank
- Lake Edgar Brown Bank Fishing (south)Lake Edgar Brown, bank
- Lake Edgar Brown PierLake Edgar Brown, pier, wood
- Barnwell State Park BankPond, bank
- Lake Edgar Brown Bank FishingLake Edgar Brown, bank
- Lake Edgar Brown Bank FishingLake Edgar Brown, 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.
Tackle counters just outside Barnwell County
- Springfield Feed and Gardenbait and tackle shop, Springfield, 19 miles
- Palmetto Crickets and Wormsbait and tackle shop, Brunson, 24 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 321 Fabian Drbait and tackle shop, Aiken, 28 miles
- Northside Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Aiken, 30 miles
- Angles Abovebait and tackle shop, Varnville, 32 miles
Yellow Pages listings; straight-line miles only for shops with an exact address point.
Freshwater keeping rules for Barnwell County
A Barnwell County angler starts with these statewide limits and checks for a row naming the water. A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day (freshwater), not exceeding the species limits (guide p. 28). Residents spend $10 and nonresidents $35 on an annual freshwater license from SCDNR.
| 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 |
Exceptions the guide lists in Barnwell County
- Salkehatchie RiverStriped or Hybrid Bass or a combination: Oct. 1 – June 15: 26 inches min, 3
- 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.
State records traced to lakes near Barnwell 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.
Further pages linked to Barnwell County
Town pages within Barnwell County
- Barnwellpop. 4,652
- Willistonpop. 2,877
- Blackvillepop. 1,923
Neighbouring county pages for Barnwell County
- Allendale County20 miles south
- Bamberg County22 miles east
- Aiken County23 miles northwest
- Hampton County37 miles southeast
Piscifun tackle laid out for a tide at Barnwell County
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Telling the Barnwell County fish apart by eye
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Gordon C. Snelling, CC BY 4.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Setting the record straight on Barnwell County fishing
Can I trailer a boat to a public landing in Barnwell County?
The SCDNR layer places 7 landings and launches in the county.
Which Barnwell County lake has the most acreage on SCDNR records?
Lake Edgar Brown (100 acres).
What species are listed at access points around Barnwell County?
SCDNR access lists name Black Crappie on the most lake pages within 100 miles, then Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Channel Catfish.
Which Barnwell County listings sell shrimp, crickets or lures?
Every nearby listing is outside the county.
What South Carolina town serves as seat of Barnwell County?
Barnwell serves as seat.
What license do anglers carry in Barnwell County?
Residents spend $10 and nonresidents $35 on an annual freshwater license from SCDNR.
Which counties sit next to Barnwell County?
The closest county pages are Allendale County, Bamberg County and Aiken County.
What is the crappie limit in Barnwell County?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
What region does SCDNR assign Barnwell County landings?
SCDNR Region 3, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Which Barnwell County lakes have special rules?
2 waters with a page here have a guide row of their own, beginning with Salkehatchie River.
Are there managed state lakes in Barnwell County?
Lake Edgar Brown, with hours and boat rules set by the state lake regulation.
What record fish trace back to Barnwell County?
Hybrid Striped Bass, 20-6 as listed, from Savannah River (1978).
Plan a Palmetto State day in Barnwell County
Landing pages carry SCDNR lane counts and directions.