Fishing in Marlboro County, South Carolina
County seat: Bennettsville. Population 26,667 (2020). SCDNR Region 2.
- 1lake pages
- 5landings
- 1river pages
Pick for bluegillPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Little Pee Dee River: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
What Marlboro County offers from landing to tide line
Marlboro County had a 2020 population of 26,667 and runs its government out of Bennettsville. Its public access points sit chiefly in SCDNR Region 2. 1 lake with a full page lie in the county, and Lake Paul Wallace spreads the widest. Regulation 123-210 governs 1 state lake here, such as Lake Paul Wallace.
Boaters get 5 landings and paddle launches, and shore anglers get 5 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 Marlboro County
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
SCDNR-profiled lakes inside Marlboro County
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Paul Wallace | 300 acres | 3 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
Marlboro County has little paged lake water, so here are the nearest lakes from Bennettsville.
| Lake | From Bennettsville | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Juniper | 12 miles west | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Dargan's Pond | 23 miles south | 50 acres | 0 | SCDNR state lake | none on SCDNR lists |
| Mays Lake | 28 miles west | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Ashwood | 51 miles southwest | 75 acres | 0 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Sunrise Lake | 56 miles west | 25 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.
For the bluegill herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The species tally for lakes near Marlboro County
Tallying lake pages up to 100 miles from Bennettsville by SCDNR species entries puts Largemouth Bass first.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 100 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
Regulation 123-210 lakes in Marlboro County
| State lake | Size | Fishing hours | Boat and motor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Paul Wallace | 300 acres | Fishing side 24 hours a day, all other activities on the boating side are closed ½ hour before official sunrise to ½ hour after official sunset | Fishing side – Paddle, electric trolling motor or outboard motors 10 hp or less |
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.
Flowing and tidal streams of Marlboro County
- Great Pee Dee Rivertidal, 16 SCDNR accesses, 9 USGS gauges
Marlboro County river gauges right now
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Pee Dee River Nr Bennettsville, Sc | 2,010 cfs, 53.53 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:15 pm |
| Crooked Crk Bl N Marlboro St At Bennettsville, Sc | 13.54 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.
Marlboro County boat landings and paddle launches
- Fishing Area Boat Ramp on Lake Paul WallaceLake Paul Wallace, boat ramp, 2 lanes
- Lower Impoundment Boat Ramp on Lake Paul WallaceLake Paul Wallace, boat ramp, 1 lane, dirt
- Ski Impoundment Boat Ramp on Lake Paul WallaceLake Paul Wallace, boat ramp, 2 lanes, courtesy dock
- Society Hill Boat Ramp on Great Pee Dee RiverGreat Pee Dee River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
- Tom Blue (Hunts Bluff) Boat Ramp on Great Pee Dee RiverGreat Pee Dee River, boat ramp, 1 lane, concrete or paved
Piers and bank access of Marlboro County
- Beauty Spot Road Bank on Lake Paul WallaceLake Paul Wallace, bank
- Country Club Drive Bank on Lake Paul WallaceLake Paul Wallace, bank
- Country Club Drive Pier on Lake Paul WallaceLake Paul Wallace, pier, wood
- Jacob's Island Bank on Lake Paul WallaceLake Paul Wallace, bank
- Jacob's Island Pier on Lake Paul WallaceLake Paul Wallace, 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.
Where Marlboro County anglers drive for shrimp and minnows
- C & H Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cheraw, 18 miles
- Smothersbait and tackle shop, Hartsville, 28 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods, 2701 David H Mcleod Blvd Unit Fbait and tackle shop, Florence, 31 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 120 Woody Jones Blvdbait and tackle shop, Florence, 31 miles
- Hartsville Bait Distributorsbait and tackle shop, Hartsville, 33 miles
Yellow Pages listings; straight-line miles only for shops with an exact address point.
Size and daily limits for Marlboro County water
Wherever no guide row names a Marlboro 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 Marlboro 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 Marlboro 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.
Next stops beyond Marlboro County
Marlboro County communities with pages
- Bennettsvillepop. 7,020
- McCollpop. 2,070
Counties ringing Marlboro County
- Dillon County23 miles southeast
- Darlington County25 miles southwest
- Chesterfield County27 miles west
- Florence County40 miles south
Piscifun gear a Palmetto State angler could pack for Marlboro County
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Lakes, blackwater creeks and inlets close to Marlboro County, in pictures
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Suzanne Schroeter, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Chris Yunker, CC BY 2.0
Lakes, creeks and landings of Marlboro County, in questions
How many SCDNR ramps serve Marlboro County?
Count 5 landings and launches in the SCDNR access layer.
Which still water in Marlboro County is widest?
Lake Paul Wallace, with 300 acres.
What fish show up on access lists near Marlboro County?
SCDNR access lists name Largemouth Bass on the most lake pages within 100 miles, then Redear Sunfish, Bluegill and Black Crappie.
Where are the Marlboro County tackle counters on Yellow Pages?
The closest shops sit over the county line, shown above.
Where is the Marlboro County courthouse?
Bennettsville holds it.
Which SCDNR license do I buy for Marlboro 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 Marlboro County?
Begin with Dillon County, Darlington County and Chesterfield County.
How many crappie can a Marlboro County angler keep each day?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
Is Marlboro 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 Marlboro 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 Marlboro County?
Lake Paul Wallace, with hours and boat rules set by the state lake regulation.
Which records were caught in Marlboro County water?
Flathead Catfish, 113-7 as listed, from Great Pee Dee River (2026).
Plan a fishing weekend across Marlboro County
Lake pages show landings, SCDNR species lists and any guide row.