Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · South Carolina lists none of its own
SizeNo size limit
BagNo federal recreational limit
SeasonYear-roundOpen today
Smoothhound group — no federal size or bag limit; state rules may be stricter.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Small gray shark with flat pavement teeth — it gums, not bites. More on the smooth dogfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for smooth dogfish in South Carolina?
No size limit.
How many smooth dogfish can you keep in South Carolina?
No federal recreational limit.
When is smooth dogfish season in South Carolina?
Year-round.
How current is this South Carolina smooth dogfish rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at a smooth dogfish in South Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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