Fishing in Calhoun County, South Carolina
County seat: St. Matthews. Population 14,119 (2020). SCDNR Region 3.
- 1lake pages
- 2landings
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A Palmetto State angler's view of Calhoun County
Census workers counted 14,119 residents across Calhoun County in 2020, with county offices in St. Matthews. SCDNR numbers the majority of these access sites SCDNR Region 3. Lake Marion tops a county list of 1 lake with full write-ups.
SCDNR maps 2 landings and paddle launches and 0 piers and bank sites inside the county.
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.
Pinning every SCDNR access in Calhoun County
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
Impoundments with pages across Calhoun County
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Marion | 90,000 acres | 17 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
Measured from St. Matthews, these neighbouring lakes outside Calhoun County are the shortest trips.
| Lake | From St. Matthews | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Ashwood | 40 miles northeast | 75 acres | 0 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Edgar Brown | 44 miles southwest | 100 acres | 4 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Moultrie | 47 miles southeast | 60,400 acres | 9 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Murray | 47 miles northwest | 48,579 acres | 12 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish, Bluegill |
| Lake Wateree | 52 miles north | 13,025 acres | 9 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Monticello | 56 miles northwest | 6,700 acres | 2 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass |
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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Out to 50 miles from St. Matthews, SCDNR access lists name Black Crappie on more lakes than any other fish.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 50 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
Calhoun County rivers, creeks and USGS gauges
Gauge numbers for Calhoun County waterways
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Congaree River At U.s. Hwy 601 Nr. Fort Motte, Sc | 75.03 ft gage height | Nov 12 6:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 6:33 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.
Every SCDNR landing in Calhoun County
- Calhoun Subdivision Boat Ramp on Lake MarionLake Marion, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Low Falls Boat Ramp on Lake MarionLake Marion, boat ramp, 4 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
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.
Water level data for Calhoun County lakes
Lake Marion
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Marion Near Elloree, Sc | 74.23 ft lake elevation | Nov 12 5:15 pm |
| Lake Marion Near Pineville, Sc | 74.35 ft lake elevation | Nov 12 5:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 6:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Guide limits behind every Calhoun County lake
For Calhoun County, the statewide guide limits hold except where a water-specific row is printed. A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day (freshwater), not exceeding the species limits (guide p. 28). SCDNR sells the resident annual freshwater license for $10, and a visiting angler pays $35 for the year.
| 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 |
Guide rows for Calhoun County waters
- Lake MarionLargemouth Bass: 14 inches min, No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids
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 fish pulled from Calhoun County lakes
| Species | Weight as listed | List | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 16-2 | freshwater | Lake Marion | 1949 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
Club and trail events across Calhoun County
The calendar carries 26 Calhoun County entries with 13 still to come.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 14, 2026 | CATT Santee Cooper Fall Qualifier 5 | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Dec. 12, 2026 | CATT Santee Cooper Fall Final | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Feb. 6, 2027 | CATT Santee Cooper Spring Qualifier #1 (no forward-facing sonar) | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Feb. 13, 2027 | CATT Santee Cooper Spring Qualifier #2 (GOLD) | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Feb. 20, 2027 | Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Santee Cooper Lakes | Santee Cooper Lakes | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| Feb. 27, 2027 | CATT Santee Cooper Spring Qualifier #3 (GOLD, no forward-facing sonar) | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| March 14, 2027 | CATT Santee Cooper Spring Qualifier #4 (Sunday) | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| March 20, 2027 | Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Santee Cooper Lakes | Santee Cooper Lakes | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| Oct. 31, 2026 | Glynn Weber & Woody Floyd Win Santee Cooper, SC Oct 31, 2026 20.29 lbs! | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Oct. 17, 2026 | James Gibbons & Jonathan Sutton Win Santee Cooper, SC Oct 17, 2026 27.36 lbs! | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Oct. 3, 2026 | Bennett Lawshe Wins Santee Cooper, SC Oct 3, 2026 With 5 bass weighing 28.98 lbs! | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Sept. 19, 2026 | Jenna Johnson & Bennett Lawshe Win Santee Cooper, SC With 30.71 lbs! BF 8.03 lbs! Sept 19, 2026 | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Calhoun County shops, marinas and captains
Calhoun County shop listings
- Barrett Baitbait and tackle shop, Cameron
- Belle'sbait and tackle shop, Elloree
- Low Falls Landingbait and tackle shop, Cameron
- Popsbait and tackle shop, Cameron
- The Outpost, 2544 Old State Rdbait and tackle shop, Swansea
Charter and guide listings in Calhoun County
- Poplar Creek Landingfishing guide, Elloree, (803) 897-2811
- Santee Guide Servicefishing guide, Elloree, (828) 230-1449
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
More pages around Calhoun County
Towns and CDPs across Calhoun County
- St. Matthewspop. 1,841
Adjacent SC counties to Calhoun County
- Orangeburg County17 miles south
- Richland County25 miles north
- Sumter County28 miles northeast
- Lexington County32 miles northwest
A Piscifun spinning kit for the run down to Calhoun County
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Lowcountry and Upstate water near Calhoun County, on camera
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Scott Oves, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Andrew Parlette, CC BY 2.0
What South Carolina anglers ask about Calhoun County water
Does Calhoun County have public boat landings?
SCDNR shows 2 landings and launches.
What lake tops the size list in Calhoun County?
On size, Lake Marion: 90,000 acres.
Which species does SCDNR name around Calhoun County?
SCDNR access lists name Black Crappie on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Redear Sunfish.
Which shops in Calhoun County sell hooks and line?
Barrett Bait is among 5 listings.
What town is the South Carolina seat of Calhoun County?
The seat is St. Matthews.
Does SCDNR require a license for Calhoun County water?
SCDNR sells the resident annual freshwater license for $10, and a visiting angler pays $35 for the year.
Which SC county pages surround Calhoun County?
Look at Orangeburg County, Richland County and Sumter County.
What crappie rule covers Calhoun County lakes?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
What SCDNR region number is Calhoun County in?
SCDNR Region 3, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Where does the state guide print Calhoun County exceptions?
1 water with a page here have a guide row of their own, beginning with Lake Marion.
Is a team trail date posted for Calhoun County lakes?
26 organizer entries on file; next is CATT Santee Cooper Fall Qualifier 5 on Santee Cooper Lakes, Nov. 14, 2026.
Has an SCDNR state record come out of Calhoun County?
Largemouth Bass, 16-2 as listed, from Lake Marion (1949).
Work the SC lakes and creeks of Calhoun County
Every SCDNR landing page opens with a directions link.