SC · SCDNR
South Carolina fishing regulations.
- Saltwater coast
- 7 popular species
South Carolina is striped bass at Murray, big bass at Santee Cooper, mountain trout in the upstate, and a Lowcountry coast that's quietly one of the best red drum fisheries on the Atlantic.
Fishing regulations change every season. This page is a summary maintained by Bield — bag limits, exact dates, and species-specific rules must be verified with SCDNR before each trip.
License requirements
Anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid fishing license to fish in South Carolina. Resident and non-resident licenses are sold online through the SCDNR and at most sporting goods retailers. Annual, multi-day, and lifetime licenses are typically available. Senior, military, and youth discounts apply in most cases. License costs and exact age thresholds change — verify with the SCDNR before purchase.
Freshwater seasons and limits
Largemouth, spotted, and striped bass plus crappie, catfish, and panfish across Santee Cooper, Lake Murray, Marion, and Hartwell. Lake Murray is famous for striped bass. Year-round seasons.
River and stream regulations
The Chattooga River and other Blue Ridge streams hold rainbows, browns, and native brookies. Smallmouth on the Saluda and Broad. The Santee River system anchors the Lowcountry freshwater.
Saltwater seasons and limits
Spotted seatrout, redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and tarpon along the coast. Offshore for king mackerel, snapper, grouper, and tuna. Charleston, Beaufort, and Hilton Head are major destinations.
Special regulations
Lake Murray striper regulations protect the trophy population. Trout streams in the upstate have catch-and-release sections. Coastal redfish and trout regulations updated periodically.
Popular species
- Largemouth bass
- Striped bass
- Spotted seatrout
- Redfish
- Crappie
- Channel catfish
- Rainbow trout
Official source · SCDNR
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
This page is a regulatory summary maintained by Bield — not the official rulebook. Verify season dates, bag limits, and special regulations with the agency above before each trip.
Bield Fish keeps South Carolina regulations at your fingertips.
Set your state once and Bield calibrates season phases, license reminders, and species-specific limits in your catch log.