Fishing licenses are required for all anglers over the age of fifteen who intend to fish in either freshwater or saltwater bodies in South Carolina. Below, we’ve outlined the prices for the different options for freshwater fishing licenses.
|
License Type |
Resident Price |
Non-resident Price |
|
Annual |
$15 |
$35 |
|
Three year |
$30 |
$105 |
|
Two week |
$5 |
$11 |
|
Annual commercial |
$50 |
$1000 |
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources provides the licensing and also offers a variety of nongame freshwater fishing tags and permits for gear including set hooks, gill nets, traps, hoop nets, trotlines, eel pots, and jugs. For residents, these tags and permits range in price from $2.50 to $10 each. For non-residents, each tag and permit costs $50.
In this article, we will review how to purchase a South Carolina fishing license online, what the age requirements are, and your options for saltwater fishing licenses for South Carolina.
South Carolina Fishing License Online
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources offers the option to buy your fishing license through their online portal. Their Go Outdoors SC portal has the ability to keep all of your South Carolina hunting, fishing, and boating licenses all in the same place.
All you have to do is create an account and purchase the license. You can then print a physical copy of the license from home to keep with you or download a digital copy to keep on your phone. This system makes it easier to purchase and renew your South Carolina fishing license.
South Carolina Fishing License Age
All anglers over the age of fifteen, whether resident or non-resident, are required to purchase a valid South Carolina fishing license in order to fish in state waters. Senior residents older than 63 years of age of South Carolina can purchase a lifetime fishing or combination fishing and hunting license for $9 as long as they have lived in the state for at least six months.
Seniors older than 81 years of age can obtain a lifetime combination fishing and hunting license for free from the state. Lifetime fishing licenses are also available for purchase for other residents of South Carolina with the prices outlined below.
|
License Type |
Price |
|
Combination Fishing and Hunting (under 2 years of age) |
$300 |
|
Combination Fishing and Hunting (2 to 15 years of age) |
$400 |
|
Combination Fishing and Hunting (16 to 63 years of age) |
$500 |
|
Freshwater Fishing (16 to 63 years of age) |
$300 |
|
Saltwater Fishing (16 to 63 years of age) |
$300 |
Lifetime saltwater fishing licenses can be added to any combination fishing and hunting license for an additional fee: $120 for under two years old, $160 for ages 2 to 15, and $200 for ages 16 to 63.
South Carolina Saltwater Fishing License
South Carolina saltwater fishing licenses are required for all persons fishing in saltwater areas of South Carolina including from shore. The only exceptions are those who are fishing from a charter vessel or pier already licensed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
The prices for South Carolina saltwater fishing licenses for residents and non-residents are listed in the table below.
|
License Type |
Resident Price |
Non-Resident Price |
|
Annual |
$15 |
$75 |
|
Three year |
$45 |
N/A |
|
Two week |
$10 |
N/A |
|
One week |
N/A |
$35 |
|
One day |
N/A |
$10 |
Saltwater charter fishing vessel, public fishing pier, and shrimp baiting licenses are also available for purchase for both residents and non-residents of South Carolina. The vessel and pier licenses are valid for one year and the pricing depends on the purchaser’s residency and the number of passengers the vessel accommodates or the length of the pier.
The shrimp baiting license is valid for a season only.
Looking for information on the trout limit? Check out our article.
