Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
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South Carolina
State, United States. Authority : South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- US$105Nonresident 3 Year Freshwater Fishing License
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 35.6 cmLargemouth bass
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearDigital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Largemouth bass 35.6 cm here.
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
4-Strand PE Braid, Army Green, 300 mFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · spoon and spinner fishing
€27.90£13.90Not shipped to the United States
Minnow Crankbaits 9 cm, Pack of 5For : northern pike, european perch, largemouth bass · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
No statewide closed season listed: statewide 5/day any length; several mountain streams catch-and-release only Nov 1 - May 14 (single-hook artificial lures)
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–60 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth bass5 statewide except listed waters | 30.5 cm | |
| Largemouth bass5 only in listed lakes (Murray, Marion, Moultrie, Wateree, Wylie, etc.); statewide any length | 35.6 cm | |
| Crappie5 statewide | 20.3 cm |
To check the minimum size: Largemouth bass 35.6 cm here. Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, redeye and hybrids, combined)5 statewide; 10 combined on Hartwell, Russell, Thurmond, Keowee and other border waters | 5 per day |
| Walleye & sauger (combined)5 statewide, any length | 8 per day |
| Chain pickerel5 statewide, any length | 30 per day |
| Trout6 statewide, any length | 5 per day |
| All game fish (total)5 statewide aggregate | 40 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Freshwater Fishing License1 | annual (1 year from date of purchase) | US$10 |
| Resident 14-day Freshwater Fishing License1 | 14-day | US$5 |
| Resident 3 Year Freshwater Fishing License1 | 3-year | US$30 |
| Senior Fishing License (resident 64+; freshwater, set hook, saltwater)1 | lifetime | US$9 |
| Nonresident Annual Freshwater Fishing License2 | annual | US$35 |
| Nonresident 14-day Freshwater Fishing License2 | 14-day | US$11 |
| Nonresident 3 Year Freshwater Fishing License2 | 3-year | US$105 |
- Ages and exemptions3
- No child under 16 years of age is required to obtain a hunting or fishing license (unless fishing commercially or using nongame devices). Senior license for residents 64+; Gratis license for residents born before 7/1/1940.
Good to know
Very cheap resident licenses ($10 annual, $5 for 14 days). Separate saltwater license. No statewide minimum on largemouth bass (14 in on major reservoirs); smallmouth 12 in. Walleye/sauger 8/day any length. SCDNR's fishing regulations page links to eRegulations for game fish rules. Border lakes with Georgia follow reciprocal rules.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- Pas de licence journalière (1-day) : durée courte minimale = 14 jours
- Pas de northern pike (non listé)
- Prix non datés explicitement sur les pages de tarifs (licences commerciales 'expires June 30, 2027' => grille 2026-27)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Lake Murray reservoir, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Saluda Counties
Largemouth bass, Bluegill View on the map - Lake Marion reservoir, Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg, Sumter Counties
Largemouth bass View on the map - Lake Moultrie reservoir, Berkeley Counties
Largemouth bass View on the map - Lake Hartwell reservoir, Anderson, Oconee, Pickens Counties View on the map
- Lake Thurmond reservoir, McCormick Counties View on the map
- Lake Russell reservoir, Anderson, Abbeville Counties View on the map
- Lake Keowee reservoir, Oconee, Pickens Counties View on the map
- Lake Jocassee reservoir, Oconee, Pickens Counties
Smallmouth bass, Rainbow trout, Brown trout View on the map - Lake Wateree reservoir, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster Counties
Largemouth bass View on the map - Lake Greenwood reservoir, Greenwood, Laurens, Newberry Counties View on the map
- Lake Wylie reservoir
Largemouth bass View on the map - Monticello Reservoir reservoir
Largemouth bass, Bluegill View on the map - Lake Secession reservoir, Anderson, Abbeville Counties
Largemouth bass, Bluegill View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in South Carolina in 2026?
The “Nonresident 3 Year Freshwater Fishing License” licence costs US$105 (3-year). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for largemouth bass in South Carolina?
Largemouth bass: 35.6 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- SC Resident Fishing and Hunting License Pricing (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- SC Nonresident Fishing and Hunting License Pricing (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- SC Recreational Fishing and Hunting License (rules) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- SCDNR Fishing Regulations (links to eRegulations) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Freshwater Fish Size & Possession Limits (last updated Aug 5, 2026) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Trout Size & Limits (last updated Aug 5, 2026) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/fishing/freshwater-game-fishing-regulations
Last checked : 23 September 2026.