South Carolina Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ Many lakes have special regulations (slot limits, reduced creels) - check the SCDNR fishing regulations by waterbody.
- ⚠ Saltwater species have separate rules.
- ⚠ Possession limit is generally 2x the daily creel.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | 5 per day (many waters; check special regs) | Min 14 in on many reservoirs |
| Smallmouth bass | 5 | Min 14 in |
| Striped bass & hybrids | 4 combined (some waters) | Min 21 in (varies) |
| Crappie (black & white) | 30 combined | |
| Bream (bluegill, redear, redbreast, other sunfish) | 30 combined | |
| Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) | No limit (except trophy waters) | |
| Trout (mountain waters) | 5 per day | Min 7 in |
| Walleye | 10 | |
| Chain pickerel | 10 | |
| American shad | 5 (seasonal) |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Slade’s Lake
- Black Bass: No more than 2 bass per person per day
Statewide except the Savannah River
- White Bass: 10
Keowee
- Smallmouth Bass: No more than 10 combined total of black bass
Hartwell
- Smallmouth Bass: No more than 10 combined total of black bass
- Redeye (Bartrams) Bass: No more than 10 combined total of black bass
- Largemouth Bass: No more than 10 combined total of black bass
- Spotted Bass: No more than 10 combined total of black bass
Blalock
- Largemouth Bass: No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids
Ashepoo River
- Striped/hybrid bass: Oct 1 - Jun 15: 26 in min, 3/day; Jun 16 - Sep 30 closed.
Ashley River
- Striped/hybrid bass: Oct 1 - Jun 15: 26 in min, 3/day; Jun 16 - Sep 30 closed.
Combahee River
- Striped/hybrid bass: Oct 1 - Jun 15: 26 in min, 3/day; Jun 16 - Sep 30 closed.
Edisto River
- Striped/hybrid bass: Oct 1 - Jun 15: 26 in min, 3/day; Jun 16 - Sep 30 closed.
Great Pee Dee River
- Striped/hybrid bass: Oct 1 - Jun 15: 26 in min, 3/day; Jun 16 - Sep 30 closed.
Little Pee Dee River
- Striped/hybrid bass: Oct 1 - Jun 15: 26 in min, 3/day; Jun 16 - Sep 30 closed.
Waccamaw River
- Striped/hybrid bass: Oct 1 - Jun 15: 26 in min, 3/day; Jun 16 - Sep 30 closed.
Black River
- Striped/hybrid bass: Oct 1 - Jun 15: 26 in min, 3/day; Jun 16 - Sep 30 closed.
Lynches River
- Striped/hybrid bass: Oct 1 - Jun 15: 26 in min, 3/day; Jun 16 - Sep 30 closed.
Santee River system
- Striped bass: Oct 1 - Jun 15: 23-25 in harvestable slot, 1 over 26 in, 3/day; Jun 16 - Sep 30 closed except Saluda lower reach C&R.
Lake Murray
- Striped bass: Oct 1 - May 31: 21 in min, 5/day; Jun 1 - Sep 30: any length, max 5.
Seasons
Most species open year-round; trout season varies by water; striped bass seasonal on major reservoirs.
Licence Fees
SC fishing license required (16+, resident/non-resident); fees per SCDNR.
Edition: 2026 SC Freshwater Fishing Regulations (SCDNR) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: SC Dept. of Natural Resources (dnr.sc.gov/fishing)
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