Fishing in Sumter County, South Carolina
County seat: Sumter. Population 105,556 (2020). SCDNR Region 3.
- 1lake pages
- 3landings
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The fishing makeup of Sumter County
Sumter is where Sumter County keeps its seat, in a county of 105,556 at the last census. By SCDNR access records, the county falls mostly in SCDNR Region 3. Sorted by size, Lake Marion heads the county's 1 lake with pages.
Within the county line SCDNR places 3 landings and paddle launches and 3 piers and bank sites.
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.
SCDNR access pins scattered over Sumter County
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
Which Sumter County lakes have full write-ups
| Lake | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Marion | 90,000 acres | 17 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
From Sumter, these lakes beyond the Sumter County boundary are the nearest with pages.
| Lake | From Sumter | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Ashwood | 12 miles north | 75 acres | 0 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Wateree | 40 miles northwest | 13,025 acres | 9 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Dargan's Pond | 46 miles northeast | 50 acres | 0 | SCDNR state lake | none on SCDNR lists |
| Mays Lake | 46 miles north | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Moultrie | 46 miles southeast | 60,400 acres | 9 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Sunrise Lake | 49 miles north | 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 Counting SCDNR species entries around Sumter County
Bars show how many lakes within 50 miles of Sumter list each fish; Bluegill tops the count.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 50 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
More Sumter County lakes known by name only
The SCDNR layers carry 1 more named ponds, pools and lakes in Sumter County.
| Water | Size | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| Old Levi 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.
River and creek guides for Sumter County
Further Sumter County waterways (2)
- Carolina Bay1 SCDNR access
- Woods Bay1 SCDNR access
USGS gauges reporting from Sumter County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Pocotaligo River At Sumter, Sc | 7.83 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 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 Sumter County boats go in
- Poinsett State Park on Old Levi Mill PondOld Levi Mill Pond, paddle launch
- Rimini Boat Ramp on Lake MarionLake Marion, boat ramp, 4 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Woods Bay State ParkWoods Bay, paddle launch
Shore and pier access around Sumter County
- Mill Creek Park PierPond, pier, wood
- Poinsett State Park BankPond, bank
- Woods Bay State Park Bank on Carolina BayCarolina Bay, 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.
Lake gauge numbers in Sumter County
Lake Marion
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Marion Near Elloree, Sc | 74.26 ft lake elevation | Nov 13 7:15 pm |
| Lake Marion Near Pineville, Sc | 74.25 ft lake elevation | Nov 13 7:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
The state guide limits that reach Sumter County
These statewide freshwater limits cover Sumter County unless the guide prints a rule for the lake or river. A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day (freshwater), not exceeding the species limits (guide p. 28). Plan on $10 (in-state) or $35 (out-of-state) for twelve months of freshwater fishing.
| 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 |
Water-specific limits across Sumter County
- Lake MarionLargemouth 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.
SCDNR record entries close to Sumter County
| Species | Weight as listed | List | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 16-2 | freshwater | Lake Marion | 1949 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
Organizer events listed for Sumter County
26 posted events and results fish Sumter County water; 13 have not been held yet.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 14, 2026 | CATT Santee Cooper Fall Qualifier 5 | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Dec. 12, 2026 | CATT Santee Cooper Fall Final | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Feb. 6, 2027 | CATT Santee Cooper Spring Qualifier #1 (no forward-facing sonar) | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Feb. 13, 2027 | CATT Santee Cooper Spring Qualifier #2 (GOLD) | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Feb. 20, 2027 | Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Santee Cooper Lakes | Santee Cooper Lakes | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| Feb. 27, 2027 | CATT Santee Cooper Spring Qualifier #3 (GOLD, no forward-facing sonar) | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| March 14, 2027 | CATT Santee Cooper Spring Qualifier #4 (Sunday) | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| March 20, 2027 | Fishers of Men SC Low Country Classic, Santee Cooper Lakes | Santee Cooper Lakes | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| Oct. 31, 2026 | Glynn Weber & Woody Floyd Win Santee Cooper, SC Oct 31, 2026 20.29 lbs! | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Oct. 17, 2026 | James Gibbons & Jonathan Sutton Win Santee Cooper, SC Oct 17, 2026 27.36 lbs! | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Oct. 3, 2026 | Bennett Lawshe Wins Santee Cooper, SC Oct 3, 2026 With 5 bass weighing 28.98 lbs! | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
| Sept. 19, 2026 | Jenna Johnson & Bennett Lawshe Win Santee Cooper, SC With 30.71 lbs! BF 8.03 lbs! Sept 19, 2026 | Santee Cooper Lakes | Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Supplies and guides listed for Sumter County
Stores with fishing gear in Sumter County
- Dragon Fly Shannon Lure Cofly shop, Sumter
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
Other places to try past Sumter County
Census places of Sumter County on this site
- Sumterpop. 43,463
- Dalzellpop. 3,175
- Lakewoodpop. 2,810
County lines around Sumter County
- Lee County18 miles northeast
- Clarendon County20 miles southeast
- Calhoun County28 miles southwest
- Richland County31 miles west
Piscifun picks that fit a day around Sumter County
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Palmetto State fish to know on sight at Sumter County
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Fizzishin, CC BY 4.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Questions folks bring up about Sumter County
How many public landings does SCDNR map in Sumter County?
3 landings and launches, named in the access list above.
Which reservoir or pond in Sumter County is the biggest South Carolina water?
It is Lake Marion, 90,000 acres.
Which fish lead SCDNR lists close to Sumter County?
SCDNR access lists name Bluegill on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish and Black Crappie.
Where do Sumter County anglers stock up on shrimp and minnows?
There are 1; Dragon Fly Shannon Lure Co is one.
In what town does Sumter County keep its courthouse?
It is Sumter.
What will a year of fishing Sumter County cost?
Plan on $10 (in-state) or $35 (out-of-state) for twelve months of freshwater fishing.
Which counties border Sumter County?
Lee County, Clarendon County and Calhoun County lie nearest.
How many crappie may be kept in Sumter County?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
Under which SCDNR region is Sumter County listed?
SCDNR Region 3, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Which Sumter County waters carry their own guide row?
1 water with a page here have a guide row of their own, beginning with Lake Marion.
Do team trails fish Sumter County?
26 organizer entries on file; next is CATT Santee Cooper Fall Qualifier 5 on Santee Cooper Lakes, Nov. 14, 2026.
Which SCDNR record traces to Sumter County water?
Largemouth Bass, 16-2 as listed, from Lake Marion (1949).
Hitch the boat for Sumter County
Check a lake's own guide row before keeping fish.