Fishing in Kershaw County, South Carolina
County seat: Camden. Population 65,403 (2020). SCDNR Region 2.
- 1lake pages
- 9landings
- 2river pages
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What Kershaw County offers from landing to tide line
Kershaw County had a 2020 population of 65,403 and runs its government out of Camden. Its public access points sit chiefly in SCDNR Region 2. 1 lake with a full page lie in the county, and Lake Wateree spreads the widest.
Boaters get 9 landings and paddle launches, and shore anglers get 5 piers and bank sites, on SCDNR maps of the county. For current, start with Wateree River and Little Pine Tree 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.
Where the water points land across Kershaw County
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
SCDNR-profiled lakes inside Kershaw County
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Wateree | 13,025 acres | 9 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
Kershaw County has little paged lake water, so here are the nearest lakes from Camden.
| Lake | From Camden | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Ashwood | 20 miles southeast | 75 acres | 0 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Sunrise Lake | 25 miles north | 25 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Cedar Creek Reservoir | 26 miles northwest | about 1,645 acres of mapped outline | 2 | mapped lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Fishing Creek Reservoir | 30 miles northwest | 3,431 acres | 2 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lancaster Reservoir | 32 miles north | 60 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Mays Lake | 33 miles northeast | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | 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 Kershaw County
Tallying lake pages up to 50 miles from Camden 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.
Leftover named ponds on SCDNR records for Kershaw County
There are 2 further named waters in Kershaw County, with size where SCDNR maps one.
| Water | Size | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| Adams Grist Mill Lake | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
| Kendall 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 Kershaw County
- Wateree River8 SCDNR accesses, 1 USGS gauge
- Little Pine Tree Creek1 SCDNR access
Kershaw County river gauges right now
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Wateree River Nr. Camden, Sc | 2,930 cfs, 6.07 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| Lake Wateree Tailrace Above Camden, Sc | 2,010 cfs, 10.57 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:15 pm |
| Little Lynches River Near Kershaw, Sc | 3 cfs, 4.97 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| Buffalo Creek At Mt Pisgah, Sc | 0 cfs, 4.07 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.
Kershaw County boat landings and paddle launches
- Beaver Creek Boat Ramp on Lake WatereeLake Wateree, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Buck Hill Boat Ramp on Lake WatereeLake Wateree, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Camden Riverfront Environmental Park on Wateree RiverWateree River, paddle launch, paved
- Clearwater Cove Boat Ramp on Lake WatereeLake Wateree, boat ramp, 4 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Goodale State Park on Adams Grist Mill LakeAdams Grist Mill Lake, paddle launch
- Highway 1 Boat Ramp on Wateree RiverWateree River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Lugoff Boat Ramp on Wateree RiverWateree River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Water River Veterans Park on Wateree RiverWateree River, paddle launch, paved
- Access point below Wateree DamWateree River, paddle launch
Piers and bank access of Kershaw County
- Kendall Lake Bank FishingKendall Lake, bank
- Kendall Park on Little Pine Tree CreekLittle Pine Tree Creek, bank
- Lugoff Access Area Fishing Platform Pier on Wateree RiverWateree River, pier
- Goodale State ParkPond, bank
- Lugoff Access Area Bank on Wateree RiverWateree 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.
Size and daily limits for Kershaw County water
Wherever no guide row names a Kershaw 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 Kershaw County with their own limits
- Lake WatereeLargemouth 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.
Where Kershaw County turns up on the record list
No SCDNR record names a Kershaw County water, so the closest record waters within 70 miles are shown.
| 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 |
| White Bass | 5-4.8 | freshwater | Lake Murray | 2006 |
| White Crappie | 5-1 | freshwater | Lake Murray | 1949 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
Bass trails and weigh-ins on Kershaw County water
Clubs and trails post 17 events on Kershaw County water; 7 remain on the schedule.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 12, 2026 | CATT Lake Wateree Seniors Seniors event | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Nov. 14, 2026 | CATT Lake Wateree Fall Qualifier #3 | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Nov. 14, 2026 | CATT Lake Wateree Opens Open Final ($130 entry) | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Nov. 21, 2026 | CATT Lake Wateree Fall Qualifier #4 (GOLD) | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Dec. 5, 2026 | CATT Lake Wateree Fall Qualifier #5 | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Dec. 19, 2026 | CATT Lake Wateree Fall Final | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| May 8, 2027 | CATT Reel Skill Fishin NO FFS, South Carolina Division, Lake Wateree | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Oct. 24, 2026 | Jacob & Jeff Norris are HOT! They Win Again With 15.36 lbs! Lake Wateree, SC Open Oct 24, 2026 | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Oct. 17, 2026 | Jeff & Jacob Norris Win Lake Wateree, SC Oct 17, 2026. 18.14 lbs! | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Oct. 3, 2026 | Pete Sherbert Wins the Lake Wateree, SC Open Oct 3, 2026 14.81 lbs! | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Sept. 26, 2026 | CATT Results! Butch Williams & Donald Hinson Win Lake Wateree, SC Sept 26, 2026. 17.80 lb! | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Sept. 12, 2026 | Lake Wateree, SC Youth Results Sept 12, 2026. Jamie Medlin & Colen Baker 1st 8.14 lbs BF at 4.14 lbs! | Lake Wateree | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Stocking up for a Kershaw County trip
Marinas and tackle shops of Kershaw County
- Wateree Dam Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Lugoff
- Clearwater Cove Marinamarina, Camden
- Wateree Marina, 2437 Bowden Rdmarina, Camden
- Wateree Marina, 3374 John G Richards Rdmarina, Camden
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
Next stops beyond Kershaw County
Kershaw County communities with pages
- Lugoffpop. 9,990
- Camdenpop. 7,788
- East Camdenpop. 3,215
- Elginpop. 1,634
Counties ringing Kershaw County
- Lee County23 miles southeast
- Lancaster County25 miles north
- Richland County28 miles southwest
- Fairfield County31 miles west
Piscifun gear a Palmetto State angler could pack for Kershaw County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Visual key to fish swimming at Kershaw County
Photo: USDAgov, Public domain
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Photo: Duane Raver, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Lakes, creeks and landings of Kershaw County, in questions
How many SCDNR ramps serve Kershaw County?
Count 9 landings and launches in the SCDNR access layer.
Which still water in Kershaw County is widest?
Lake Wateree, with 13,025 acres.
What fish show up on access lists near Kershaw 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 Kershaw County tackle counters on Yellow Pages?
Start with Wateree Dam Bait and Tackle, one of 4.
Where is the Kershaw County courthouse?
Camden holds it.
Which SCDNR license do I buy for Kershaw 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 Kershaw County?
Begin with Lee County, Lancaster County and Richland County.
How many crappie can a Kershaw County angler keep each day?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
Is Kershaw 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 Kershaw County?
1 water with a page here have a guide row of their own, beginning with Lake Wateree.
Do SC clubs and trails fish Kershaw County?
17 organizer entries on file; next is CATT Lake Wateree Seniors Seniors event on Lake Wateree, Nov. 12, 2026.
Plan a fishing weekend across Kershaw County
Lake pages show landings, SCDNR species lists and any guide row.