Fishing in Chester County, South Carolina
County seat: Chester. Population 32,294 (2020). SCDNR Region 2.
- 4lake pages
- 11landings
- 4river pages
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How Chester County shapes up for anglers
The Chester County courthouse sits in Chester; 32,294 residents were tallied there in 2020. SCDNR files the bulk of its access points here under SCDNR Region 2. Fishing Creek Reservoir leads the 4 lakes in the county that have their own guide. The county has 1 state lake on the SCDNR state lake list; Lake Oliphant is one.
Count 11 landings and paddle launches and 11 piers and bank sites in the SCDNR layer for the county. The county's river guides cover Broad River, Catawba River and Fishing Creek.
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.
Charting the public water of Chester County
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
Chester County lake pages by acreage
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing Creek Reservoir | 3,431 acres | 2 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Cedar Creek Reservoir | about 1,645 acres of mapped outline | 2 | mapped lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Mountain Lakes | 42 acres | 1 | mapped lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Oliphant | 40 acres | 1 | 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.
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Around Chester, 50 miles out, Largemouth Bass turns up on the most SCDNR lists.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 50 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
State-run fishing lakes of Chester County
| State lake | Size | Fishing hours | Boat and motor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Oliphant | 40 acres | ½ hour before official sunrise to ½ hour after official sunset | Paddle or electric trolling motor only |
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 Chester County waters without a page yet
1 additional named waters in Chester County stay on this list until more is printed about them.
| Water | Size | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| Chester 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.
Chester County waterways with SCDNR access
- Broad Rivertidal, 31 SCDNR accesses, 8 USGS gauges
- Catawba River11 SCDNR accesses, 4 USGS gauges
- Fishing Creek2 SCDNR accesses, 1 USGS gauge
- Great Falls Reservoir1 SCDNR access, 1 USGS gauge
USGS sites logging Chester County rivers
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing Creek Below Fort Lawn, Sc | 14 cfs, 2.34 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:15 pm |
| Rocky Creek At Great Falls, Sc | 4 cfs, 2.63 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
| Great Falls Reservoir Tailrace Bl Great Falls, Sc | 281.98 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:15 pm |
| Rocky Creek At Sc 901 Above Great Falls, Sc | 8.98 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 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.
Landings SCDNR maps for Chester County
- Canal Street Access on Great Falls ReservoirGreat Falls Reservoir, paddle launch, gravel
- Chester State Park LakeChester State Park Lake, paddle launch
- Fishing Creek Boat RampFishing Creek Reservoir, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Lake Oliphant Boat RampLake Oliphant, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved, fishing pier
- Landsford Canal State Park – Put-In on Catawba RiverCatawba River, paddle launch
- Landsford Canal Take-Out on Catawba RiverCatawba River, paddle launch
- Mountain Lake Boat RampMountain Lakes, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved, fishing pier
- Nitrolee Access Area on Fishing CreekFishing Creek, paddle launch, paved
- Sandy & Broad River Boat RampBroad River, boat ramp, 1 lane, dirt
- Woods Ferry Recreation Area Boat Ramp on Broad RiverBroad River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Neal Shoals Dam Canoe Access on Broad RiverBroad River, paddle launch
SCDNR shore points across Chester County
- Landsford Canal State Park (Chester Side) Bank on Catawba RiverCatawba River, bank
- Mountain Lakes Bank 1Mountain Lakes, bank
- Mountain Lakes Bank 2Mountain Lakes, bank
- Mountain Lakes PierMountain Lakes, pier, wood
- Chester State Park BankPond, bank
- Chester State Park Pier (east)Pond, pier, wood
- Chester State Park Pier (west)Pond, pier, wood
- Fishing Creek Landing BankFishing Creek Reservoir, bank
- Lake Oliphant BankLake Oliphant, bank
- Lake Oliphant PierLake Oliphant, pier, wood
- Woods Ferry Recreation Area Bank on Broad RiverBroad River, 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.
Freshwater keeping rules for Chester County
A Chester 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 |
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 Chester County
| Species | Weight as listed | List | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge | 22-8, 42 1/4in | freshwater | Broad River | 2004 |
| Bullhead | 6-6.3 | freshwater | Broad River | 2009 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
Bait sellers and trip captains of Chester County
Chester County tackle counters
- Jamie K Sales & Outdoor Worldbait and tackle shop, Fort Lawn
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
Further pages linked to Chester County
Town pages within Chester County
- Chesterpop. 5,269
- Great Fallspop. 1,951
Neighbouring county pages for Chester County
- York County19 miles north
- Fairfield County20 miles south
- Union County26 miles west
- Lancaster County26 miles east
Piscifun tackle laid out for a tide at Chester County
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Tidal flats and reservoir coves by Chester County, through the lens
Photo: Mark Clifton, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Chris Yunker, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Laurel LaFlamme, CC BY 2.0
Setting the record straight on Chester County fishing
Can I trailer a boat to a public landing in Chester County?
The SCDNR layer places 11 landings and launches in the county.
Which Chester County lake has the most acreage on SCDNR records?
Fishing Creek Reservoir (3,431 acres).
What species are listed at access points around Chester County?
SCDNR access lists name Largemouth Bass on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then Bluegill, Redear Sunfish and Channel Catfish.
Which Chester County listings sell shrimp, crickets or lures?
Jamie K Sales & Outdoor World heads 1.
What South Carolina town serves as seat of Chester County?
Chester serves as seat.
What license do anglers carry in Chester County?
Residents spend $10 and nonresidents $35 on an annual freshwater license from SCDNR.
Which counties sit next to Chester County?
The closest county pages are York County, Fairfield County and Union County.
What is the crappie limit in Chester County?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
What region does SCDNR assign Chester County landings?
SCDNR Region 2, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Are there managed state lakes in Chester County?
Lake Oliphant, with hours and boat rules set by the state lake regulation.
What record fish trace back to Chester County?
Muskellunge, 22-8, 42 1/4in as listed, from Broad River (2004).
Plan a Palmetto State day in Chester County
Landing pages carry SCDNR lane counts and directions.