Buy before you bait
Fishing licenses now required to fish anywhere in South Carolina
By SC Department of Natural Resources
Fishing licenses are now required everywhere in South Carolina.
The recent session of the South Carolina General Assembly made changes to the Saltwater Recreational Fishing License effective July 1, 2009. License fees will not change.
The changes to the South Carolina Saltwater Recreational Fishing License will allow better access to information about recreational catch, which will lead to better management of South Carolina’s valuable
marine resources. The changes also ensure that South Carolina anglers will simply need to purchase a single license to fish anywhere in both state and federal saltwaters. Revenue generated from Saltwater
Recreational Fishing License sales will be used for the direct benefit of South Carolina’s marine recreational fisheries.
The new legislation will require a saltwater recreational fishing license for people who:
* Recreationally fish from shore (beach, bank, private dock, free public pier, etc.).
* Recreationally harvest shrimp and/or crab.
* Harvesting oysters or clams
* Fishing for finfish from a private boat or transporting catch in a private boat.
There are a few exceptions that will allow people to harvest marine resources without a saltwater recreational fishing license including: fishing off a licensed commercial public fishing pier, fishing off a licensed for-hire vessel (charter and headboats), fishing with three or fewer fold-up traps, fishing with three or fewer drop nets, fishing with three or fewer handlines with a single bait and no hooks (chicken necking) and taking shrimp over bait (still required to have Shrimp Baiting License).
A resident of South Carolina 64 years old or older may obtain a statewide lifetime hunting and fishing license that includes the privilege of saltwater fishing. A person who has been a resident of South Carolina for at least one year and who is determined to be totally disabled may obtain a statewide fishing and hunting license which includes the privilege of saltwater fishing.
You may purchase a license by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling toll free 1-866-714-3611 or by going online at: www.dnr.sc.gov/purchase.html.
Saltwater Recreational Fishing License fees:
* Annual resident – $10
* 14-day resident – $5
* Annual non-resident – $35
* 14-day non-resident – $11
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