Fishing in Lexington County, South Carolina
County seat: Lexington. Population 293,991 (2020). SCDNR Region 3.
- 1lake pages
- 13landings
- 3river pages
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Lake Murray: Jelene Morris, CC BY 2.0
Lexington County fishing on SCDNR records
A county of 293,991 people in 2020, Lexington County is governed from Lexington. The county's SCDNR landings are mostly tagged SCDNR Region 3. The county holds 1 lake with pages; Lake Murray is the biggest.
SCDNR lists 13 landings and paddle launches and 11 piers and bank sites across the county. Moving water with its own page includes Saluda River, Congaree River and Congaree Creek. For trout, the county reaches 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 Landings, piers and lakes of Lexington County on the map
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
Lake water on record in Lexington County
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Murray | 48,579 acres | 12 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish, Bluegill |
Paged still water outside Lexington County, closest to Lexington first.
| Lake | From Lexington | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parr Shoals Reservoir | 24 miles north | about 3,116 acres of mapped outline | 2 | mapped lake | Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish, Bluegill |
| Lake Monticello | 25 miles north | 6,700 acres | 2 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass |
| Lake Wateree | 37 miles northeast | 13,025 acres | 9 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Slades Lake | 43 miles west | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | none on SCDNR lists |
| Cedar Creek Reservoir | 44 miles northeast | about 1,645 acres of mapped outline | 2 | mapped lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Boyd Pond | 45 miles west | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | none on SCDNR lists |
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.
Which fish crowd the lists near Lexington County
Each bar counts the lake pages within 50 miles of Lexington whose SCDNR access lists include the fish; Black Crappie shows up most.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 50 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
Still water in Lexington County listed but not profiled
Another 2 named waters in Lexington County are listed here without a full write-up.
| Water | Size | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| Gibson Pond | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
| Shealy's 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.
Streams SCDNR lists in Lexington County
- Saluda RiverSCDNR trout water, 15 SCDNR accesses, 11 USGS gauges
- Congaree River6 SCDNR accesses, 3 USGS gauges
- Congaree Creek1 SCDNR access, 1 USGS gauge
Live stream readings across Lexington County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Congaree River At Columbia, Sc | 3,370 cfs, 3.42 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia, Sc | 2,080 cfs, 6.02 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:15 pm |
| Congaree Creek At South Congaree, Sc | 67 cfs, 3.03 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| Twelve Mile Creek At Lexington, Sc | 14 cfs, 3.77 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| Cedar Creek Near Thor, Sc | 14 cfs, 2.04 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:15 pm |
| Lake Murray Tailrace Near Columbia, Sc | 76.03 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.
Mountain trout streams of Lexington County
- Saluda RiverSCDNR trout water
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.
Ramp list for Lexington County from the SCDNR layer
- Hilton Boat Ramp on Lake MurrayLake Murray, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Hope Ferry Boat Ramp on Saluda RiverSaluda River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Lake Murray Dam Boat RampLake Murray, boat ramp, 3 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Larry Koon Boat Ramp on Lake MurrayLake Murray, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- Larry Koon Landing (Shull Island) on Lake MurrayLake Murray, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Rocky Point Boat Ramp on Lake MurrayLake Murray, boat ramp, 1 lane, gravel
- SCE&G Access/Gardendale on Saluda RiverSaluda River, paddle launch, gravel
- Saluda Shoals Lower Boat RampSaluda River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Saluda Shoals ParkSaluda River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved, fishing pier
- Shealy's Pond Paddle LaunchShealy's Pond, paddle launch, dirt
- Thomas H Newman Boat Ramp on Congaree RiverCongaree River, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- West Columbia Riverwalk Paddle Launch on Congaree RiverCongaree River, paddle launch, paved
- Congaree Creek Canoe LaunchCongaree Creek, paddle launch
Lexington County bank sites on the SCDNR layer
- Gibson Pond BankGibson Pond, bank
- Gibson Pond PierGibson Pond, pier, wood
- Hilton Recreation Area Bank on Lake MurrayLake Murray, bank
- Hilton Recreation Area Pier on Lake MurrayLake Murray, pier, wood
- North Recreation Area at Lake Murray Dam PierLake Murray, pier, wood
- Pine Island State Park on Lake MurrayLake Murray, bank, other (see comments)
- Hope Ferry Landing Bank on Saluda RiverSaluda River, bank
- Lake Murray Dam PierLake Murray, pier
- Saluda Shoals Park BankSaluda River, bank
- Saluda Shoals Park PierSaluda River, pier, wood
- West Columbia Riverwalk Bank Fishing on Congaree RiverCongaree River, bank, aluminum
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.
Dated reservoir readings across Lexington County
Lake Murray
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Murray Near Columbia, Sc | 353.73 ft lake elevation | Nov 12 8:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
What a Lexington County creel may hold
Most Lexington County fresh water follows the statewide limits below. A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day (freshwater), not exceeding the species limits (guide p. 28). Freshwater licenses run $10 for residents and $35 for visitors on the SCDNR fee page.
| 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 |
Special-limit lakes and rivers of Lexington County
- Lake MurrayLargemouth 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.
Heavyweights on the books around Lexington County
| Species | Weight as listed | List | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Carp | 58-0 | freshwater | Lake Murray | 2000 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
The weigh-in calendar of Lexington County
Trails list Lexington County water in 14 entries, 3 of them upcoming.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 30, 2027 | Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Lake Murray | Lake Murray | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| March 20, 2027 | CATT Reel Skill Fishin NO FFS, South Carolina Division, Lake Murray | Lake Murray | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| April 24, 2027 | Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Lake Murray | Lake Murray | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| Oct. 24, 2026 | Chris Epting & Jonah Miller Win Lake Murray, SC Fall Final Oct 24, 2026 21.62 lbs! | Lake Murray | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Oct. 10, 2026 | Justin Raines & Bradley Day Win Lake Murray, SC Oct 10, 2026. 24.17 lbs! | Lake Murray | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Sept. 26, 2026 | Jody Wright & Chris Marshall Win Lake Murray, SC Sept 26, 2026! 19.48 lbs! BF 5.51 lbs! | Lake Murray | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Aug. 15, 2026 | CATT Lake Murray, SC Aug 15, 2026 | Lake Murray | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| May 16, 2026 | Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Murray May 16, 2026 | Lake Murray | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| April 11, 2026 | Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Murray April 11, 2026 | Lake Murray | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| April 10, 2026 | Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Murray April 10, 2026 | Lake Murray | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| May 10, 2025 | Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Murray May 10, 2025 | Lake Murray | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| April 19, 2025 | Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Murray April 19, 2025 | Lake Murray | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Lexington County Yellow Pages tackle and guide listings
Where to buy shrimp and minnows in Lexington County
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 237 Park Terrace Drbait and tackle shop, Columbia
- Cinneticbait and tackle shop, Lexington
- Dick's Sporting Goods, 1110 Bower Pkwybait and tackle shop, Columbia
- Dooley's Bait Farmbait and tackle shop, Lexington
- Dooley's Sport Shopbait and tackle shop, Lexington
- Dynamic Marine Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Lexington
- Lake Worldbait and tackle shop, Lexington
- Sierra, 136 Harbison Blvdbait and tackle shop, Columbia
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 476 Piney Grove Rdbait and tackle shop, Columbia
- Striper Delight Luresbait and tackle shop, Lexington
- Swansea Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Swansea
- Weeds Marinebait and tackle shop, Leesville
- Buffalo Creek Marina, 1342 Old Lexington Hwymarina, Chapin
- Garcia-Ortega Marinamarina, Pelion
- Jakes Landing LLCmarina, Lexington
- Marina Covemarina, Gilbert
- Putnam's Campground Marine Repair Incmarina, Chapin
- Putnam's Landingmarina, Chapin
- Southshore Marinamarina, Leesville
- Windward Point Yacht Clubmarina, Columbia
Booking a guide in Lexington County
- Hollow Creek Guide Servicefishing guide, Gilbert, (803) 466-7286
- Lake Murray Boat Tours and Lessons with Captain Tyler Ryanfishing guide, Lexington, (803) 339-9550
- Palmetto Guide Servicefishing guide, Lexington, (803) 957-4650
- Professional Fishing Guide by Anthony Draftsfishing guide, Lexington, (803) 356-2286
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
Branching out from Lexington County
Where to base a trip in Lexington County
- Lexingtonpop. 23,568
- West Columbiapop. 17,416
- Seven Oakspop. 14,652
- Caycepop. 13,781
- Oak Grovepop. 12,899
- Red Bankpop. 10,924
- White Knollpop. 7,858
- Batesburg-Leesvillepop. 5,270
- Springdalepop. 2,744
- South Congareepop. 2,377
- Pine Ridgepop. 2,167
- Chapinpop. 1,809
- Gastonpop. 1,608
Counties a short hop from Lexington County
- Richland County23 miles northeast
- Saluda County27 miles west
- Aiken County31 miles southwest
- Calhoun County32 miles southeast
Piscifun reels and leaders boxed up for Lexington County
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Lakes, blackwater creeks and inlets close to Lexington County, in pictures
Photo: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Photo: Dr. Blazer, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: ironypoisoning, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Andrew Parlette, CC BY 2.0
Fishing around Lexington County: the questions that come up
Where can a boat be launched in Lexington County?
There are 13 landings and launches on SCDNR maps of the county.
Which lake in Lexington County is biggest?
Lake Murray comes first with 48,579 acres.
What can be caught near Lexington County according to SCDNR lists?
SCDNR access lists name Black Crappie on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Redear Sunfish.
Does Lexington County have a bait and tackle listing?
20 listings, including Academy Sports + Outdoors, 237 Park Terrace Dr.
Which SC town hosts the Lexington County seat?
Lexington.
What does a fishing license cost for Lexington County water?
Freshwater licenses run $10 for residents and $35 for visitors on the SCDNR fee page.
What counties lie beside Lexington County?
By distance: Richland County, Saluda County and Aiken County.
Is there a crappie size limit across Lexington County?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
Which SCDNR region covers Lexington County?
SCDNR Region 3, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Does the guide print rules for Lexington County waters?
2 waters with a page here have a guide row of their own, beginning with Lake Murray.
Which tournaments come to Lexington County lakes?
14 organizer entries on file; next is Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Lake Murray on Lake Murray, Jan. 30, 2027.
Which SCDNR records came from Lexington County?
White Bass, 5-4.8 as listed, from Lake Murray (2006).
Spend a Palmetto morning on Lexington County water
River pages list SCDNR accesses and USGS flow.