South Carolina Fishing License: The Total Overview for 2025

We associate many different things with the ‘Palmetto State’ – Southern friendliness, historic areas, shrimp and grits, pleasant tea, and some of the best fairway you can locate. For passionate anglers, nevertheless, the first thing that comes to mind is exceptional angling. And they’re right! Prior to you hit the water however, you need a South Carolina fishing certificate.

If you’re fishing in SC for the very first time and you’re unsure where to start, you remain in the right area. Keep reading to find out more on the kind of license you need, residency demands, and various other useful bits. Stay in the loop with present angling policies and regulations and enjoy South Carolina’s freshwater and saltwater fisheries trouble-free.

Who needs an angling license in South Carolina?

The general rule is that every person that’s 16 and older demands to have a valid angling license with them while fishing in the state.read about it Fr 31 South Carolina Dmv walkthrough from Our Articles The type of permit you require depends upon whether you’re an SC resident or otherwise and where you wish to go fishing.

If you’re unsure whether you need a freshwater or a saltwater permit, there’s a guideline that can aid you out. Freeway 17 is taken into consideration the main separating line between freshwater and saltwater fisheries. Every little thing west of the freeway (landward) is taken into consideration freshwater, while the seaside waters to the eastern (seaward) are deep sea.

That can fish without a permit in South Carolina?

While most people need permits, there are some groups that can fish for free in South Carolina. Free fishing is readily available to:

• Fishermens fishing with a deep sea charter watercraft (the cost of your certificate is consisted of in the trip’s price)
• Anyone that owns an exclusive fish pond or any individual that’s been permitted by the owner to fish their pond
• Entirely handicapped experts can obtain a free fishing and searching certificate
• South Carolina residents who are on active service (however on leave in SC) and army personnel can fish and hunt without a certificate
• Kids under the age of 16 do not require a license
• Days when fishing is free for every person: May 31st and July fourth

Info for Locals

To be gotten approved for a resident angling permit in South Carolina, you require to be an irreversible resident of the state for at least 1 month. You’ll offer your proof of residency – a state-issued legitimate Driver’s Permit or Identification Card – when looking for your fishing certificate. You need to carry that very same recognition paper with you while fishing.

You’ll likewise require to reveal your Social Security Number. This is to see to it that you’re compliant with DSS laws. Foreigners completely staying in South Carolina must give their ticket together with their SC ID and their Alien Identification Number.

Citizens are additionally:

• Armed forces employees or their reliant household pointed in South Carolina for 1 month or longer (a valid military ID needed);
• Army employees with long-term residency in SC, however currently pointed somewhere else (legitimate armed forces ID required);
• Full-time students signed up in a school in South Carolina (a valid pupil ID essential)

Costs for Residents

Relying on for how long and where you would love to fish, there are various angling licenses readily available. Decide whether you want to fish for, choose a body of water, and acquire the appropriate permit. Only residents that are 64 and older can apply for a Life time Fishing/Hunting Certificate. Right here’s just how much various resident angling licenses can set you back.

There’s a range of fishing/hunting permits you can acquire if you intend to kill 2 birds with one stone. If you understand a 16-year old who would certainly love to obtain a combination permit, you can acquire them a Junior Sportsperson Permit. Normal Sportsperson Licenses permit you to fish and quest in Wild animals Management Locations as well.

Information for Non-Residents

If you’re a non-resident that ‘d like to discover South Carolina’s fishing opportunities, you can absolutely do so. The very same licensing guidelines for homeowners apply to non-resident – all persons age 16 and older are required to have a valid angling certificate. The primary difference is that non-residents aren’t eligible for lifetime licenses. Additionally, angling and hunting licenses require to be purchased independently.

Unique Demands

To utilize special angling equipment for non-game freshwater fish, you’ll require additional tags along with your fishing certificate. Keep in mind that the use of gear like eelpots, containers, and trotlines may be restricted to specific days of the week or times of the year. It is essential to get all the needed authorizations and familiarize on your own with the associated laws.

Where to Get Your South Carolina Angling Certificate

Getting an SC fishing certificate is quite straightforward, and you can do it in numerous different methods. You can buy one from the comfort of your very own home or in person, whatever functions best for you.

• Buy it online: One of the most hassle-free means to purchase your South Carolina fishing license is on-line, merely by mosting likely to the South Carolina Division of Natural Resources internet site. Afterwards, all you require to do is print out your license and you’re established.
• Buy it by phone: If you prefer to have a person talk you with the procedure, telephone call 803-734-3833. The specialist on the other side will certainly assist you sort everything out.
• Buy it personally: There are 500 certificate suppliers in SC that can market you your certificate. If you favor to get your papers in person, simply pick a place from this listing that’s closest to you.
• Life Time Licenses: Locals who are 64 and older can get a Life time Certificate personally by mosting likely to DNR workplaces in several areas. Before you go, bear in mind to complete this kind and bring it with you. Additionally, you can send out in your application with the mail, together with a photocopy of your SC ID, to this address:

SC Wild Animals Endowment Fund
PO Box 11710
Columbia, SC 29211-1710

What happens if I lose my permit?

Shedding an angling license can occur to any person, however do not worry, it’s straightforward to get a duplicate. All you need to do is go to a vendor or to among the SCDNR offices and submit a written statement confirming you have actually shed your license. After that, you’ll pay a $3 charge for a substitute. If you need a replicate of your tags, you’ll need to head to the SCDNR workplaces to get it sorted.