USA · South
South Carolina
Fishing License 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Simple license
Best fishing times
·South Carolina33.80°, -80.90°
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- Where to apply?
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Online via Go Outdoors South Carolina, by phone, or at license agents statewide.
- Cost
- Resident freshwater annual: $10. Resident saltwater annual: $10. Resident combination (fresh + salt): $25. Non-resident freshwater annual: $35. Non-resident 14-day freshwater: $11. Non-resident saltwater annual: $35. Non-resident 14-day saltwater: $11.
- Validity
- Annual (from date of purchase) or 14-day
- Available online?
- Yes
SCDNR issues a unified license system — residents can combine freshwater + saltwater for $25/year. Required for ages 16+. Residents 64+ qualify for a $9 Gold lifetime license covering almost everything. Santee Cooper lakes have their own catfish regulations.
Buy fishing license for South Carolina online
www.dnr.sc.gov
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- Most species year-round. Striped bass Santee Cooper: seasonal closures Jun 16 – Sep 30 on certain reaches. Spotted seatrout: emergency closures after cold stuns. Cobia (coastal): 1 May – 30 Sep.
- Catch limits
- Largemouth bass: 5/day, 12" min (Santee Cooper: no min, 5/day). Striped bass Santee Cooper: 3/day, 26" min. Red drum: 2/day, 15–23" slot. Spotted seatrout: 5/day, 14" min. Flounder: 5/day, 16" min. Catfish Santee Cooper: 25/day combined, only 2 over 32".
- Prohibited methods
- Jug fishing regulated — tags required. Gigging flounder at night with lights legal. Cast-netting for bait permitted.
- Catch & Release
- Required for Atlantic sturgeon + shortnose sturgeon (federally protected). Encouraged for tarpon (summer Charleston) and trophy blue catfish.
Santee Cooper (Lakes Marion + Moultrie) produced the IGFA all-tackle world-record channel catfish (58 lb) and multiple striped bass records — the first landlocked striper population in the US. Charleston flats for redfish/tarpon. Gulf Stream 60 miles offshore for billfish.
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Lake Marion / Santee Cooper (world-record catfish + landlocked striper)
- —Lake Moultrie (catfish + striper + crappie — Santee Cooper lower lake)
- —Charleston Harbor & flats (redfish + tarpon in summer + spotted trout)
- —Winyah Bay / Georgetown (red drum + flounder, inshore)
- —Murrells Inlet / Myrtle Beach (king mackerel + Spanish mackerel offshore)
- Best season
- Striper Santee Cooper: October–April. Catfish: year-round, peak May–October. Redfish Charleston: September–November. Tarpon: July–September.
- Freshwater
- Santee Cooper + Lake Murray + Lake Hartwell are major reservoirs. Upstate trout streams (Saluda tailwater). Blackwater coastal plain rivers for catfish + bass.
- Saltwater
- 190 miles of Atlantic coastline + salt marsh estuaries. Charleston + Beaufort flats world-famous for redfish. Gulf Stream offshore for dolphin, wahoo, sailfish.
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Bass Pro in Myrtle Beach. Haddrell's Point Tackle in Charleston (flats specialty). Local bait shops on every lake + inlet.
- Fishing guides
- $400–$600/day Santee Cooper striper/catfish. $500–$750/day Charleston flats redfish. $1,200–$2,500/day offshore Gulf Stream.
- Transport
- CHS (Charleston), CAE (Columbia), MYR (Myrtle Beach), GSP (Greenville). Rental car essential. Coast is 2h from Columbia.
- Safety
- Hurricane season Jun–Nov. Alligators in Lowcountry freshwater. Stingrays in shallow surf — shuffle your feet. Summer thunderstorms + lightning.
05
Cost Overview
- License fees
- $10–$35 depending on water + duration + residency; $25 resident combo
- Guide prices
- $400–$750 inshore/lake; $1,200–$2,500 offshore
- Daily budget
- Budget: $80–$120/day. Charter: $500–$2,500/day.