Fishing in Darlington County, South Carolina
County seat: Darlington. Population 62,905 (2020). SCDNR Region 2.
- 1lake pages
- 4landings
- 1river pages
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What Darlington County offers from landing to tide line
Darlington County had a 2020 population of 62,905 and runs its government out of Darlington. Its public access points sit chiefly in SCDNR Region 2. 1 lake with a full page lie in the county, and Dargan's Pond spreads the widest. Regulation 123-210 governs 1 state lake here, such as Dargan's Pond.
Boaters get 4 landings and paddle launches, and shore anglers get 3 piers and bank sites, on SCDNR maps of the county. For current, start with Great Pee Dee 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.
Where the water points land across Darlington County
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
SCDNR-profiled lakes inside Darlington County
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dargan's Pond | 50 acres | 0 | SCDNR state lake | none on SCDNR lists |
Darlington County has little paged lake water, so here are the nearest lakes from Darlington.
| Lake | From Darlington | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Juniper | 23 miles north | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Paul Wallace | 26 miles northeast | 300 acres | 3 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Mays Lake | 26 miles northwest | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Ashwood | 29 miles southwest | 75 acres | 0 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Sunrise Lake | 51 miles northwest | 25 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Wateree | 55 miles west | 13,025 acres | 9 | major reservoir | 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.
For the bluegill herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The species tally for lakes near Darlington County
Tallying lake pages up to 50 miles from Darlington by SCDNR species entries puts Bluegill first.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 50 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
Regulation 123-210 lakes in Darlington County
| State lake | Size | Fishing hours | Boat and motor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dargan's Pond | 50 acres | Closed | not printed |
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.
Leftover named ponds on SCDNR records for Darlington County
There are 4 further named waters in Darlington County, with size where SCDNR maps one.
| Water | Size | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| Darlington Pond | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
| Lake Darpo | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
| Louthers Lake | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
| Prestwood 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.
Flowing and tidal streams of Darlington County
- Great Pee Dee Rivertidal, 16 SCDNR accesses, 9 USGS gauges
Darlington County river gauges right now
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Black Creek Near Hartsville, Sc | 75 cfs, 2.72 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:15 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.
Darlington County boat landings and paddle launches
- Lewis D. Kirven, Sr. (Cashua Ferry) Boat Ramp on Great Pee Dee RiverGreat Pee Dee River, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- New Society Hill Boat Ramp on Great Pee Dee RiverGreat Pee Dee River, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved
- Sonovista Park on Prestwood LakePrestwood Lake, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Whipples Boat Ramp on Louthers LakeLouthers Lake, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
Piers and bank access of Darlington County
- Darlington Pond BankDarlington Pond, bank
- Lake Darpo BankLake Darpo, bank
- Lake Darpo PierLake Darpo, pier, wood
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.
Size and daily limits for Darlington County water
Wherever no guide row names a Darlington County water, these statewide freshwater limits govern it. A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day (freshwater), not exceeding the species limits (guide p. 28). A year of freshwater fishing costs $10 for a South Carolina resident and $35 for anyone from out of state.
| 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 |
Spots in Darlington County with their own limits
- Great Pee Dee RiverStriped or Hybrid Bass or a combination: Oct. 1 – June 15: 26 inches min, 3
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.
Where Darlington County turns up on the record list
| Species | Weight as listed | List | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | 113-7 | freshwater | Great Pee Dee River | 2026 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
Stocking up for a Darlington County trip
Marinas and tackle shops of Darlington County
- Hartsville Bait Distributorsbait and tackle shop, Hartsville
- Smothersbait and tackle shop, Hartsville
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
Next stops beyond Darlington County
Darlington County communities with pages
- Hartsvillepop. 7,446
- Darlingtonpop. 6,149
- North Hartsvillepop. 2,775
Counties ringing Darlington County
- Lee County20 miles southwest
- Chesterfield County24 miles northwest
- Marlboro County25 miles northeast
- Florence County25 miles southeast
Piscifun gear a Palmetto State angler could pack for Darlington County
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Visual key to fish swimming at Darlington County
Photo: Under the same moon, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: (c) sudomir, some rights reserved (CC BY), CC BY 4.0
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Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Lakes, creeks and landings of Darlington County, in questions
How many SCDNR ramps serve Darlington County?
Count 4 landings and launches in the SCDNR access layer.
Which still water in Darlington County is widest?
Dargan's Pond, with 50 acres.
What fish show up on access lists near Darlington County?
SCDNR access lists name Bluegill on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish and Black Crappie.
Where are the Darlington County tackle counters on Yellow Pages?
Start with Hartsville Bait Distributors, one of 2.
Where is the Darlington County courthouse?
Darlington holds it.
Which SCDNR license do I buy for Darlington County lakes?
A year of freshwater fishing costs $10 for a South Carolina resident and $35 for anyone from out of state.
Which counties neighbour Darlington County?
Begin with Lee County, Chesterfield County and Marlboro County.
How many crappie can a Darlington County angler keep each day?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
Is Darlington County in SCDNR Region 1, 2, 3 or 4?
SCDNR Region 2, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Are there lake-specific limits in Darlington County?
1 water with a page here have a guide row of their own, beginning with Great Pee Dee River.
Where is the state fishing lake in Darlington County?
Dargan's Pond, with hours and boat rules set by the state lake regulation.
Which records were caught in Darlington County water?
Flathead Catfish, 113-7 as listed, from Great Pee Dee River (2026).
Plan a fishing weekend across Darlington County
Lake pages show landings, SCDNR species lists and any guide row.