Fishing in Laurens County, South Carolina
County seat: Laurens. Population 67,539 (2020). SCDNR Region 1.
- 2lake pages
- 6landings
- 2river pages
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How Laurens County shapes up for anglers
The Laurens County courthouse sits in Laurens; 67,539 residents were tallied there in 2020. SCDNR files the bulk of its access points here under SCDNR Region 1. Lake Greenwood leads the 2 lakes in the county that have their own guide.
Count 6 landings and paddle launches and 4 piers and bank sites in the SCDNR layer for the county. The county's river guides cover Saluda River and Reedy River. Trout rules apply on Saluda 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.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Charting the public water of Laurens County
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
Laurens County lake pages by acreage
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Greenwood | 11,400 acres | 8 | major reservoir | none on SCDNR lists |
| Boyd Pond | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | none on SCDNR lists |
Few paged lakes sit inside Laurens County, so the closest ones over the line follow, measured from Laurens.
| Lake | From Laurens | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Fort Pond | 25 miles south | 22 acres | 0 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Edwin Johnson | 28 miles north | 40 acres | 0 | mapped lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Jonesville Reservoir Lake | 31 miles northeast | 25 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake John D. Long | 35 miles northeast | 80 acres | 1 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Secession | 35 miles southwest | 1,425 acres | 1 | major reservoir | Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout |
| Lake Placid | 35 miles northwest | 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.
Most-listed fish on lakes close to Laurens County
Around Laurens, 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.
Smaller Laurens County waters without a page yet
2 additional named waters in Laurens County stay on this list until more is printed about them.
| Water | Size | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Rabon | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
| Musgrove Mill Pond | 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.
Laurens County waterways with SCDNR access
- Saluda RiverSCDNR trout water, 15 SCDNR accesses, 11 USGS gauges
- Reedy River4 SCDNR accesses, 3 USGS gauges
USGS sites logging Laurens County rivers
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Reedy River Near Waterloo, Sc | 38 cfs, 3.16 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| North Rabon Creek Near Hickory Tavern, Sc | 8 cfs, 5.79 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:45 pm |
| South Rabon Creek Near Gray Court, Sc | 4 cfs, 0.81 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| Little River At Laurens, Sc | 4 cfs, 2.18 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| Durbin Creek Above Fountain Inn, Sc | 4 cfs, 2.23 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:45 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.
Where Laurens County holds trout
- Saluda Rivertrout rules printed
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 Laurens County
- Karl H. Dixon Memorial Park on Boyd PondBoyd Pond, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Lake Rabon ParkLake Rabon, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Laurens Shrine Club Boat Ramp on Lake GreenwoodLake Greenwood, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved
- Riverfork Boat Ramp on Lake GreenwoodLake Greenwood, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Tumblin Shoals South/Charlie Lollis Memorial Park on Reedy RiverReedy River, paddle launch
- Ware Shoals/Irvin Pitts Park on Saluda RiverSaluda River, paddle launch
SCDNR shore points across Laurens County
- Musgrove Mill Historic Site BankMusgrove Mill Pond, bank
- River Fork Road Public Fishing Pierk on Lake GreenwoodLake Greenwood, pier, aluminum
- Lake Rabon Park PierLake Rabon, pier, wood
- Reedy River WMA BankReedy 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.
How the Laurens County reservoirs are sitting
Lake Greenwood
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Greenwood Near Chappells, Sc | 438.31 ft lake elevation | Nov 12 7:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Freshwater keeping rules for Laurens County
A Laurens 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 Laurens County
- Lake GreenwoodLargemouth Bass: 14 inches min, No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids
- Saluda RiverStriped or Hybrid Bass or a combination: Oct. 1 – June 15 striped bass between 23 and 25 inches may be harvested except that one fish may be greater than 26 inches, 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.
State records traced to lakes near Laurens County
Laurens County is absent from the record lists, but these nearby waters are on them.
| Species | Weight as listed | List | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkinseed | 2-4 | freshwater | North Saluda River | 1997 |
| White Bass | 5-4.8 | freshwater | Lake Murray | 2006 |
| White Crappie | 5-1 | freshwater | Lake Murray | 1949 |
| White Catfish | 12-2.9 | freshwater | Lake Murray | 2014 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
Team trails fishing Laurens County
Organizer pages link 10 events or results to Laurens County water, and 3 are still ahead.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 13, 2026 | South Carolina Bass Nation State Championship | Lake Greenwood | South Carolina B.A.S.S. Nation |
| Dec. 12, 2026 | CATT Lake Greenwood Fall Final | Lake Greenwood | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| April 24, 2027 | Fishers of Men SC Upstate Classic, Lake Greenwood | Lake Greenwood | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| Nov. 7, 2026 | CATT Lake Greenwood, SC Nov 7 qualifier | Lake Greenwood | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Oct. 24, 2026 | CATT Results! Carter Pjesky Wins Lake Greenwood, SC Oct 24, 2026. 5 Bass Weighing 18.34 lbs! | Lake Greenwood | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Oct. 10, 2026 | Anthony Kiker & Scott Hostetler Win Lake Greenwood, SC Oct 10, 2026 14.65 lbs! | Lake Greenwood | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Sept. 26, 2026 | Harrison McCall & Cole Moulton Win Lake Greenwood, SC Sept 26, 2026 14.16 lbs! | Lake Greenwood | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Sept. 12, 2026 | Tim Parker & Robert Biser Win Lake Greenwood, SC Sept 12, 2026. 17.92 lbs! BF 4.87 lbs! | Lake Greenwood | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| March 14, 2026 | Fishers of Men SC Upstate Classic, Greenwood March 14, 2026 | Lake Greenwood | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| Feb. 8, 2025 | Fishers of Men SC Upstate Classic, Greenwood February 08, 2025 | Lake Greenwood | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Bait sellers and trip captains of Laurens County
Laurens County tackle counters
- Fish Stalker Luresbait and tackle shop, Waterloo
- Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Gray Court
- Twin Rivers Landing & Resortbait and tackle shop, Waterloo
- McGowan'smarina, Waterloo
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
Further pages linked to Laurens County
Town pages within Laurens County
- Laurenspop. 9,335
- Clintonpop. 7,633
Neighbouring county pages for Laurens County
- Greenwood County24 miles south
- Union County26 miles northeast
- Newberry County27 miles southeast
- Spartanburg County31 miles north
Piscifun tackle laid out for a tide at Laurens County
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Telling the Laurens County fish apart by eye
Photo: USDAgov, Public domain
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Photo: Duane Raver, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Setting the record straight on Laurens County fishing
Can I trailer a boat to a public landing in Laurens County?
The SCDNR layer places 6 landings and launches in the county.
Which Laurens County lake has the most acreage on SCDNR records?
Lake Greenwood (11,400 acres).
What species are listed at access points around Laurens County?
SCDNR access lists name Largemouth Bass on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then Bluegill, Redear Sunfish and Black Crappie.
Which Laurens County listings sell shrimp, crickets or lures?
Fish Stalker Lures heads 4.
What South Carolina town serves as seat of Laurens County?
Laurens serves as seat.
What license do anglers carry in Laurens County?
Residents spend $10 and nonresidents $35 on an annual freshwater license from SCDNR.
Which counties sit next to Laurens County?
The closest county pages are Greenwood County, Union County and Newberry County.
What is the crappie limit in Laurens County?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
What region does SCDNR assign Laurens County landings?
SCDNR Region 1, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Which Laurens County lakes have special rules?
2 waters with a page here have a guide row of their own, beginning with Lake Greenwood.
What is the next dated SC tournament on Laurens County water?
10 organizer entries on file; next is South Carolina Bass Nation State Championship on Lake Greenwood, Nov. 13, 2026.
Plan a Palmetto State day in Laurens County
Landing pages carry SCDNR lane counts and directions.