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Okatee River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

South Carolina, United States

4.8·89 catches

Top fish species at Okatee River

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Okatee River fishing reports

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General info

Okatee River is a stream located in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. It is most popular for fishing Red drum, Blacktip shark, and Blue crab.

Location

32°18′45.1″N 80°54′51″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Okatee River, SC

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.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Red drum

Red drum

Regulation boundarySC State Waters
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size18" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Max size25" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Vessel limit2

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Additional information
May only be taken by rod and reel and gig.Cannot be harvested by gig in January, February, or December.May not be harvested from federal waters. When using a 4/0 or larger hook and natural bait, hook must be an inline circle hook. There are no restrictions on hooks smaller than 4/0 and when using artificial lures.
Edibility
Very Good
Synonyms
Channel Bass, Redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus, Spottail Bass
Season open: year-round
Blacktip shark

Blacktip shark

Regulation boundarySC State Waters
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size54" (Fork Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Aggregate limit1

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Vessel limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Additional information
1 shark per vessel per day May only be taken by rod and reel or handline. All sharks must be landed with fins, head and tail naturally attached.
Edibility
Catch, Clean, Cook Blacktip Shark
Synonyms
Carcharhinus limbatus
Season open: year-round
Blue crab

Blue crab

Regulation boundarySC State Waters
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size5" (Carapace Length and U.S. Bushel(s))

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Carapace length is the distance from the beginning at the anteriormost edge (front) of the groove between the horns directly above the eyes, then proceeding along the middorsal line (middle of the back) to the rear edge of the top part of the carapace, excluding any translucent membrane. U.S. bushel is a measure of capacity equal to 64 US pints or 8 gallons (equivalent to 35.2 liters)

Vessel limit2

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Additional information
Females with egg mass (sponge) must be returned to the water unharmed immediately. Saltwater fishing license required unless using three or fewer fold up traps, three or fewer drop nets, or three or fewer handlines with no hooks and a single bait per line. Licensee can fish no more than two crab pots recreationally without a recreational crab trap endorsement or up to five with endorsement. Retaining blue crabs caught in the freshwaters of the state is prohibited. A two-chambered pot or trap used for taking blue crab must have at least two unobstructed, circular escape vents (rings) which must be two and three-eighths inches or greater in inside diameter and be located on vertical surfaces. At least one vent must be in the upper chamber and all vents must be within two inches of the horizontal partition or the base of the trap. If a pot or trap has a single chamber, one escape vent of at least two and three-eighths inches or larger is required on the vertical surface within two inches of the base of the trap. Minimum size: 5 inches carapace lengthBag limit: 1 US bushelBoat limit: 2 US bushels
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Callinectes sapidus
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Local laws and licenses

South Carolina fishing license

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Reviews of Okatee River

4.8
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6 ratings

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Cities nearby

Bluffton

6.9 miles away

Hardeeville

7.0 miles away

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10.7 miles away

Port Royal

12.7 miles away

Hilton Head Island

12.8 miles away

Daufuskie Island

13.7 miles away

Beaufort

15.1 miles away

Port Wentworth

18.5 miles away

Rincon

18.8 miles away

Coosawhatchie

18.9 miles away

Dale

20.9 miles away

Sheldon

20.9 miles away

Tybee Island

21.2 miles away

Gillisonville

21.3 miles away

Wilmington Island

21.6 miles away

Pooler

24.7 miles away

Savannah

25.0 miles away

Fripp Island

25.4 miles away

Montgomery

27.9 miles away

Georgetown

29.1 miles away

Guyton

29.7 miles away

Scotia

31.8 miles away

Edisto Beach

36.6 miles away

Richmond Hill

36.7 miles away

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FAQ about Okatee River fishing

📍 Where is the Okatee River located?
the Okatee River is a stream located in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Its coordinates are:
32°18′45.1″N 80°54′51″W
.
🎣 Where on the Okatee River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Okatee River by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the Okatee River?
The most common species in the Okatee River are:
  • Red drum - 5 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Blacktip shark - 5 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Blue crab - 3 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Okatee River fishing reports?
The latest Okatee River fishing reports are:
    🗓️ What species are in season at the Okatee River right now?
    According to fishing regulations at the Okatee River, some of the species in season this November include: Striped bass, Northern red snapper, Cobia, Gag grouper, and Atlantic bluefin tuna. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
    🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Okatee River?

    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.

    Get license
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