South Carolina
saltwater rules

Q: Do I need a license to fish saltwater in South Carolina?

A Saltwater Recreational Fishing License is required for anyone 16 and older harvesting finfish, shrimp, crab, oysters or clams. Exempt: under 16, residents holding the Gratis over-65 or disability license, fishing from a licensed public pier, or aboard a licensed charter under hire.

Q: How far out do South Carolina state waters go?

3 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council sets the federal rules, and where South Carolina has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

Q: What if a fish is not listed for South Carolina?

South Carolina sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No bag limit. Season: Open year-round. Species without listed limits have no recreational size or bag limits in SC state waters; federal rules may apply beyond 3 miles.

Q: Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Q: How current are these South Carolina rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources sets the rules inside South Carolina’s state waters, out to 3 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council writes the federal rules.

Nearby waters: North Carolina · Georgia

119 species with a rule on file, checked Sep 16, 2026. 5 of them carry a federal-waters rule because South Carolina lists none of its own; those rows say so. Every row names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

Albacore

Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). South Carolina lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Almaco Jack

Almaco Seriola rivoliana

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
American Eel

Yellow eel, Silver eel Anguilla rostrata

Size
9 in minimum

Bag
25/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC Code 50-13-645 recreational eel limits.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
American Shad

Alosa sapidissima

Size
No size limit

Bag
10/day (20/day in Santee River & Rediversion Canal)

Season
Open year-round; river-specific rules under Shad & Herring regulations

Open

Shad & Herring regulations govern licensing, gear, and river-specific rules.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus thynnus

Size
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73"

Bag
Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026

Season
Open under in-season limits

Open

HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish.
SC defers to NOAA HMS rules; limits change in-season, and landings must be reported within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Atlantic Croaker

Hardhead Micropogonias undulatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
50/day aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Aggregate bag applies to hook and line only.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle-hook, gear, and fins-attached rules apply to all sharks.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Spadefish

Chaetodipterus faber

Size
14 in total length

Bag
30 per boat per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

State-waters rule; no per-person limit listed.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Unlawful to buy, sell, possess, or ship Atlantic or shortnose sturgeon.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Banded Rudderfish

Seriola zonata

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bank Sea Bass

Centropristis ocyurus

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not individually named; SC row is 'including but not limited to' and bank sea bass is a snapper-grouper complex member.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Bar Jack

Caranx ruber

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bigeye Tuna

Thunnus obesus

Size
27 in curved fork length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Curved fork length; federal HMS permit required.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Black Drum

Drum Pogonias cromis

Size
slot 14–27 in total length

Bag
5/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Black Grouper

Mycteroperca bonaci

Size
24 in total length

Bag
1/day gag or black grouper (not both), within 3-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal seasons differ.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Black Sea Bass

Sea bass Centropristis striata

Size
13 in total length

Bag
7/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blackfin Snapper

Lutjanus buccanella

Size
No size limit

Bag
10/day snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blacknose Shark

Carcharhinus acronotus

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Size
99 in lower-jaw fork length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Rod and reel only; federal HMS permit required; federal landing limits apply.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blue Shark

Blue dog Prionace glauca

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blueback Herring

River herring Alosa aestivalis

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 US bushel per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC herring rule covers blueback herring only.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bluefish

Chopper, Snapper blue Pomatomus saltatrix

Size
No size limit

Bag
5/day (7/day on for-hire trips)

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blueline Tilefish

Caulolatilus microps

Size
No size limit

Bag
3 per person per day in state waters (federal: 2), within 3-grouper/tilefish aggregate

Season
Open year-round in state waters

Open

Federal waters closed Sep 1, 2026 – Apr 30, 2027.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Circle-hook, gear, and fins-attached rules apply to all sharks.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus perezii

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Release immediately without removing from the water.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Cobia

Ling, Lemonfish Rachycentron canadum

Size
36 in fork length

Bag
1/day; max 3/boat south of 32°31.0'N, 6/boat north

Season
Open year-round except May 1–31 closed in state waters south of 32°31.0'N

Open

Rod-and-reel and gig only in state waters; May closure applies only to the southern zone.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Common Thresher

Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Listed as 'Thresher'; bigeye thresher is prohibited.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Coney

Cephalopholis fulva

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 3-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal seasons differ.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Cottonwick

Haemulon melanurum

Federal rule (South Atlantic federal waters). South Carolina lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No specific bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

SAFMC lists no size or bag limit for this snapper-grouper species.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Cubera Snapper

Lutjanus cyanopterus

Size
12 in total length

Bag
10/day snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Release immediately without removing from the water.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Finetooth Shark

Carcharhinus isodon

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gafftopsail Catfish

Bagre marinus

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Must be released immediately if caught.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gag Grouper

Gray grouper Mycteroperca microlepis

Size
24 in total length

Bag
1/day gag or black grouper (not both), within 3-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal waters closed Aug 2, 2026–Apr 30, 2027.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Galapagos Shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Golden Tilefish

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Size
No size limit

Bag
1/day, within 3-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal seasons differ.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Goliath Grouper

Epinephelus itajara

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gray Triggerfish

Trigger Balistes capriscus

Size
12 in fork length

Bag
20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate (max 10 of any one species)

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Graysby

Cephalopholis cruentata

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 3-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal seasons differ.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Size
78 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Great White Shark

White shark Carcharodon carcharias

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Release immediately without removing from the water.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Greater Amberjack

AJ, Reef donkey Seriola dumerili

Size
28 in fork length

Bag
1/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal waters close Apr 1–30.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gulf Flounder

Paralichthys albigutta

Size
16 in total length

Bag
5/day, max 10/boat

Season
Open year-round

Open

Bag applies to hook-and-line or gig combined.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gulf Kingfish

Whiting, Gulf whiting Menticirrhus littoralis

Size
No size limit

Bag
50/day aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

'Whiting' in the SC table = kingfishes (Menticirrhus).
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Hardhead Catfish

Ariopsis felis

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Must be released immediately if caught.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Hickory Shad

Alosa mediocris

Size
No size limit

Bag
10/day (20/day in Santee River & Rediversion Canal)

Season
Open year-round; river-specific rules under Shad & Herring regulations

Open

SC shad rules explicitly cover American and hickory shad combined.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Hogfish

Hog snapper Lachnolaimus maximus

Size
17 in fork length

Bag
2/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Jolthead Porgy

Calamus bajonado

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
King Mackerel

King, Kingfish, Smoker Scomberomorus cavalla

Size
24 in fork length

Bag
3/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Knobbed Porgy

Calamus nodosus

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lane Snapper

Lutjanus synagris

Size
8 in total length

Bag
10/day snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lesser Amberjack

Seriola fasciata

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Mahi-Mahi

Dolphin, Dorado Coryphaena hippurus

Size
20 in fork length

Bag
10/day, max 54/boat (no boat max on headboats)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Sale of recreational catch prohibited.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Mangrove Snapper

Gray snapper, Mango Lutjanus griseus

Size
12 in total length

Bag
10/day snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Listed as gray snapper in SC table.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Marbled Grouper

Sicklefish grouper Dermatolepis inermis

Federal rule (South Atlantic federal waters). South Carolina lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
See note

Season
Year-round

Check

Not named in the snapper-grouper rules we track; grouper aggregate rules may apply. Check before keeping one — a rare, slow-growing species.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Mutton Snapper

Lutjanus analis

Size
18 in total length

Bag
5/day, within 10-snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Nassau Grouper

Epinephelus striatus

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Northern Kingfish

Sea mullet, Whiting, Roundhead Menticirrhus saxatilis

Size
No size limit

Bag
50/day aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

'Whiting' in the SC table = kingfishes (Menticirrhus).
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Ocean Triggerfish

Canthidermis sufflamen

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not individually named; included only if still a snapper-grouper complex member — verify.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Porbeagle

Lamna nasus

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Queen Snapper

Etelis oculatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
10/day snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Drum

Redfish, Puppy drum, Channel bass, Spottail bass Sciaenops ocellatus

Size
slot 18–25 in total length

Bag
1/day, max 2/boat

Season
Open year-round

Open

New rules effective Jul 1, 2026; rod-and-reel or gig only, gigging closed Dec 1–Feb 28; harvest prohibited in federal waters.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Grouper

Epinephelus morio

Size
20 in total length

Bag
Within 3-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal waters closed Jan 1–May 31.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Hind

Epinephelus guttatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 3-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal seasons differ.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Porgy

Pagrus pagrus

Size
14 in total length

Bag
1/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal seasons differ.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Snapper

Genuine red, American red Lutjanus campechanus

Size
20 in total length

Bag
2/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

State-waters rule only; possession prohibited in federal waters.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Rock Hind

Epinephelus adscensionis

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 3-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal seasons differ.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Rock Sea Bass

Centropristis philadelphica

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not individually named; SC row is 'including but not limited to' and rock sea bass is a snapper-grouper complex member.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Size
63 in lower-jaw fork length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Rod and reel only; federal HMS permit required; federal landing limits apply.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sailors Choice

Haemulon parra

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sand Tiger

Carcharias taurus

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Release immediately without removing from the water.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sand Tilefish

Malacanthus plumieri

Size
No size limit

Bag
3/day, within 3-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Release immediately without removing from the water.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Saucereye Porgy

Calamus calamus

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Size
78 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scamp Grouper

Broomtail Mycteroperca phenax

Size
No size limit in state waters

Bag
3-grouper aggregate (federal sub-limit: 1 scamp or yellowmouth combined)

Season
Open year-round in state waters

Open

Federal waters: 20 in TL minimum and closed Jan 1 – Apr 30.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scup

Stenotomus chrysops

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sheepshead

Convict fish Archosargus probatocephalus

Size
14 in total length

Bag
10/day, max 30/boat

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Shortfin Mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Release immediately without removing from the water.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Silk Snapper

Lutjanus vivanus

Size
No size limit

Bag
10/day snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Silky Shark

Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Skipjack Tuna

Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). South Carolina lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Smalltooth Sawfish

Pristis pectinata

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally endangered (ESA); no harvest anywhere. Not listed in SC state tables.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Smooth Dogfish

Mustelus canis

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). South Carolina lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No federal recreational limit

Season
Year-round

Open

Smoothhound group — no federal size or bag limit; state rules may be stricter.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

Size
78 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Snowy Grouper

Hyporthodus niveatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 3-grouper aggregate; 1 fish vessel limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal waters closed most of the year.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Southern Flounder

Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

Size
16 in total length

Bag
5/day, max 10/boat

Season
Open year-round

Open

Bag applies to hook-and-line or gig combined.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Southern Kingfish

Menticirrhus americanus

Size
No size limit

Bag
50/day aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

'Whiting' in the SC table = kingfishes (Menticirrhus).
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

Size
12 in fork length

Bag
15/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Speckled Hind

Hyporthodus drummondhayi

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spot

Leiostomus xanthurus

Size
No size limit

Bag
50/day aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Aggregate bag applies to hook and line only.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spotted Seatrout

Speck, Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus

Size
14 in total length

Bag
10/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Rod-and-reel or gig only; gigging closed Dec 1–Feb 28.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Striped Bass

Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

Size
26 in total length

Bag
3 per person per day (lower Savannah River: 2 per day, 27 in)

Season
Open Oct 1 – Jun 15; closed Jun 16 – Sep 30

Closed

Rod & reel only; lower Savannah River open year-round at 2 per day.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Summer Flounder

Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

Size
16 in total length

Bag
5/day, max 10/boat

Season
Open year-round

Open

Bag applies to hook-and-line or gig combined.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Size
47 in lower-jaw fork length (or 25 in cleithrum to caudal keel)

Bag
1/day, max 4 per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Rod-and-reel and attached handlines only; federal HMS permit required.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tarpon

Silver king Megalops atlanticus

Size
77 in fork length

Bag
1/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Rod and reel only.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Size
54 in fork length

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tomtate

Haemulon aurolineatum

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not individually named; included only if still a snapper-grouper complex member — verify.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Tripletail

Lobotes surinamensis

Size
18 in total length

Bag
3/day, max 9/boat

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Vermilion Snapper

Beeliner, B-liner Rhomboplites aurorubens

Size
12 in total length

Bag
5/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Wahoo

Ono Acanthocybium solandri

Size
No size limit

Bag
2/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Sale of recreational catch prohibited.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Warsaw Grouper

Hyporthodus nigritus

Size
No harvest

Bag
Possession prohibited

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Weakfish

Gray trout, Squeteague Cynoscion regalis

Size
12 in total length

Bag
1/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
White Grunt

Gray grunt, Key West grunt Haemulon plumierii

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
White Margate

Haemulon album

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

Listed as 'Margate' in SC table.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
White Marlin

Kajikia albida

Size
66 in lower-jaw fork length

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Rod and reel only; federal HMS permit required; federal landing limits apply.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Whitebone Porgy

Calamus leucosteus

Size
No size limit

Bag
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowedge Grouper

Hyporthodus flavolimbatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 3-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Listed with misty grouper in SC table.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowfin Grouper

Fireback, Princess rockfish Mycteroperca venenosa

Size
No size limit

Bag
Within 3-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal seasons differ.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowfin Tuna

Ahi Thunnus albacares

Size
27 in curved fork length

Bag
3/day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Curved fork length; federal HMS permit required.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowmouth Grouper

Mycteroperca interstitialis

Size
No size limit in state waters

Bag
3-grouper aggregate (federal sub-limit: 1 scamp or yellowmouth combined)

Season
Open year-round in state waters

Open

Federal waters: 20 in TL minimum and closed Jan 1 – Apr 30.
SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowtail Snapper

Ocyurus chrysurus

Size
12 in total length

Bag
10/day snapper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Every other species

Species without listed limits have no recreational size or bag limits in SC state waters; federal rules may apply beyond 3 miles.

Size: No size limit
Bag: No bag limit
Season: Open year-round

SC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Report to NOAA within 24 hours

HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.

How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04

Licences and the fine print

A Saltwater Recreational Fishing License is required for anyone 16 and older harvesting finfish, shrimp, crab, oysters or clams. Exempt: under 16, residents holding the Gratis over-65 or disability license, fishing from a licensed public pier, or aboard a licensed charter under hire.

Get a South Carolina license

Nearby waters: North Carolina · Georgia · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about South Carolina

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in South Carolina?