Fishing in South Carolina (United States) ➡️️️️ Explore fishing spots and reports

Fishing in South Carolina requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual and short-term options, available online or at authorized vendors.

In South Carolina, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. Residents 64 and older qualify for a discounted license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license
Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations
Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Latest South Carolina fishing reports

Bluegill

Davis Pond

length · weight

Bluegill

Davis Pond

length · weight

Yellow perch

Davis Pond

length · weight

Channel catfish

Saluda River

length · weight

Bluegill

Reedy River

length · weight

Redeye bass

Saluda River

length · weight

Gafftopsail sea catfish

Cooper River

length · weight

Bluegill

Great Pee Dee River

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Futrell Park

length · weight

Red drum

Battery Creek

length · weight

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Fishing regulations in South Carolina

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in South Carolina can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Spotted bass as of September 13th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Select species

Spotted bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

Aggregate

Keep intact

Restrictions & requirements

Additional information

No size limit.A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day. This total shall not exceed more than the limits or exceptions listed below. Any game fish or species with a size limit listed must be landed with head and tail fin intact. Special limits and regulations apply in: Chattooga River: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;Hartwell Lake: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;Keowee Lake: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;Russell Lake (including Lake Hartwell Tailwater): no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;Savannah River: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;Slade's Lake: minimum size = 12-inches; bag limit = no more than 2 combined total of black bass;Stevens Creek Reservoir: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;Thurmond Lake: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;Tugaloo Lake: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;Yonah Lake: no size limit; bag limit = no more than 10 combined total of black bass;For more information, see SCDNR website. Check with state parks, city reservoirs, or county parks for special limits and regulations that apply to those areas.

Edibility

Very good

Synonyms

Micropterus punctulatus

Regulations for

34°00′0″N 81°02′6″W

Regulations in the map

FAQ about South Carolina fishing

📜 What are the fishing regulations in South Carolina, United States?

Fishing regulations in South Carolina, United States vary by location, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing.

To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.

🐟 What are the best fish species to catch in South Carolina, United States?

Some of the most popular species anglers target in South Carolina, United States include Spotted bass, Red drum, and Blue catfish. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across United States.

🌊 Where are the top fishing spots in South Carolina, United States?

Some of the most popular fishing spots in South Carolina, United States include Lake Hartwell, Lake Murray, and J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir (SC). Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in United States, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.

Fishing in South Carolina

Top fishing waters in South Carolina

About South Carolina fishing

South Carolina fishing license

Top fish species caught in South Carolina

Biggest catches in South Carolina

State records of caught fish in South Carolina

Latest South Carolina fishing reports

Fishing regulations in South Carolina

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FAQ about South Carolina fishing