South Carolina Spearfishing Rules Card

Legal status

Saltwater LegalFreshwater Permitted

South Carolina has an Atlantic coast, so spearfishing is legal in both salt and fresh water under different rules.

License

Required: South Carolina Saltwater Recreational Fishing License (marine waters) or South Carolina Freshwater Fishing License (inland waters)

Resident: Resident Saltwater Recreational Fishing License: $15 annual, $10 for 14 days, $45 for 3 years. Resident Freshwater Fishing License: $10 annual, $5 for 14 days, $30 for 3 years. A $25 resident combination license includes freshwater fishing. Fees effective 7/1/2025–6/30/2026.

Non-resident: Nonresident Saltwater Recreational Fishing License: $75 annual, $35 for 7 days, $10 for 1 day. Nonresident Freshwater Fishing License: $35 annual, $11 for 14 days, $105 for 3 years. Fees effective 7/1/2025–6/30/2026.

Gear rules

• Spearguns: Lawful. In salt water, spearfishing gear is expressly allowed, including on the artificial-reef Special Management Zones (excluding.
• Pole spears: Lawful. A pole spear is a hand-held spear and falls within South Carolina's use of the general terms 'spear'/'gig'/'prong'; the SC Code.
• On scuba: Not expressly addressed on the SCDNR pages reviewed.
• Bang sticks / powerheads are prohibited in state waters except for safety purposes; it is unlawful to possess, land or sell any fish taken.
• On artificial-reef Special Management Zones, only handheld hook-and-line and spearfishing gear (EXCLUDING powerheads) may be used
• In fresh water, nongame fishing devices (including spears and gigs) may NOT be used in Game Zone 1 or in SCDNR State-Managed Lakes
• Poison and explosives are prohibited to take marine resources (SC Code 50-5-110)

Do not spear

• SALT WATER: sharks may NOT be gigged/speared, 'It is unlawful to gig for sharks'
• SALT WATER: red drum and spotted seatrout may NOT be gigged during December, January and February
• SALT WATER: flounder may not be gigged during daylight hours
• FRESH WATER: all game fish may NOT be taken by spear or gig, only nongame
• ANY WATER: any fish taken with a bangstick/powerhead may not be possessed, landed or sold

Area restrictions

• SALT WATER: artificial reefs designated as Special Management Zones, fishing only with handheld hook-and-line and spearfishing gear excluding.
• SALT WATER: Georgetown County, it is unlawful to gig for fish in salt waters from the northern tip of North Island to the northern tip of Magnolia.
• FRESH WATER: Game Zone 1 (portions of Oconee, Pickens and Greenville counties, north of the Norfolk Southern Railroad main line), nongame fishing.
• FRESH WATER: SCDNR State-Managed Lakes, nongame fishing devices of any kind may not be used

Before you dive

• Never dive alone: one up, one down.
• Check current seasons and sizes the morning of the dive.
• Confirm with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) — Marine Resources Division (salt water) and Freshwater Fisheries (fresh water): https://www.dnr.sc.gov