South Carolina Fishing License 2026 —
Requirements, Fees & Where to Buy
Complete guide to South Carolina fishing license requirements for residents and non-residents. Covers all license types, fees, age exemptions, endorsements, season dates, and direct links to purchase from the official South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
South Carolina Fishing License Types & Fees
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources offers several fishing license types depending on your residency, the water type you're fishing, and how long you need the license.
| License Type | Fee | Valid Period | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Fishing License (3-Year) | $30.00 | 3 years | Sourced from takemefishing.org (verify current fee at official agency website) |
| Resident Fishing License (Annual) | $10.00 | 1 year | |
| Youth Fishing License (Under 16) | $0.00 | 1 year | Free in most states for anglers under 16 — confirm exemption age with your state agency. |
| Resident Fishing License (14-Day) | $5.00 | 14 days | Sourced from takemefishing.org (verify current fee at official agency website) |
| Resident 3-Day Fishing License | $5.00 | 3 days | Estimated — verify current price at official agency website before purchasing. |
| Senior Fishing License (65+) | $5.00 | 1 year | Estimated — verify current price at official agency website before purchasing. Some states offer free licenses for seniors 65+. |
* South Carolina resident means a person who has resided continuously in the state for more than 6 months immediately before applying for a license.
| License Type | Fee | Valid Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident Fishing License (Annual) | $35.00 | 1 year | |
| Non-Resident Fishing License (3-Year) | $105.00 | 3 years | Sourced from takemefishing.org (verify current fee at official agency website) |
| Non-Resident 3-Day Fishing License | $14.00 | 3 days | Estimated — verify current price at official agency website before purchasing. |
| Non-Resident Fishing License (14-Day) | $11.00 | 14 days | Sourced from takemefishing.org (verify current fee at official agency website) |
South Carolina Fish Species — Status & License Requirements
South Carolina offers diverse fishing opportunities. Click any species for detailed season dates, bag limits, and regulations.
South Carolina Fishing Season Dates, Bag Limits & Size Rules
Key seasons for the most commonly targeted species. Always verify with official South Carolina Department of Natural Resources regulations before fishing.
| Species | Season Status | Open Date | Close Date | Daily Bag Limit | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Largemouth Bass | Open | 10 | general | ||
| South Carolina Striped Bass – Santee Cooper | Open | 2025-03-01 | 2025-06-30 | 3 | general |
| South Carolina Crappie | Open | 30 | general | ||
| South Carolina Channel Catfish | Open | 25 | general | ||
| South Carolina Flounder | Open | 15 | general |
* Statewide regulations shown. Specific water bodies may have different rules. Always check the official South Carolina Department of Natural Resources regulations for your target destination.
How to Get Your South Carolina Fishing License
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources makes purchasing straightforward. You can be licensed in under 5 minutes online.
Where to Buy in South Carolina
Purchase directly at the official state agency website. Fast, available 24/7, license instantly downloadable. Accepts all major credit cards.
Buy Official LicenseWalmart, Bass Pro Shops, Academy Sports, Cabela's, and thousands of local bait shops and sporting goods stores sell licenses over the counter. Instant issuance.
Find a retailer near you