Title 50, Fish, Game and Watercraft

The provisions of this article apply to the use of nongame fishing devices and the taking of nongame fish in the freshwaters of this State except herring and American shad.

The following are the only lawful nongame fishing devices and methods that may be used for taking nongame fish in the freshwaters of this State and only in those waters in which these devices and methods are authorized: (1) archery equipment; (2) cast net; (3) crayfish trap; (4) …

(A) A trotline, trap, eel pot, gill net, and hoop net must be marked with a white floating marker not less than a capacity of one quart and not more than a capacity of one gallon and must be made of solid, buoyant material that does not sink if punctured or cracked. A floating ma…

Nongame fish may be taken with any lawful game fishing device. A fisherman only may use four game fishing devices. A fisherman fishing from a boat may use an unlimited number of game fishing devices if all persons in the boat sixteen years and older have valid fishing licenses.

A fishing device authorized by this article must not be used, placed, set, or fished so as to constitute a hazard to boating or public safety.

A recreational fisherman may use the following fishing devices and methods for taking nongame fish but only in those waters in which the type and quantity are allowed: (1) archery equipment; (2) cast net; (3) not more than five crayfish traps; (4) not more than two eel pots; (5) …

(A) It is unlawful to possess more than two blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) greater than thirty-two inches in length in any one day in Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, or the upper reach of the Santee River, the Congaree and Wateree rivers, and all other state waterways. (B) It is u…

It is unlawful for a recreational fisherman to take more than twenty-five American eel (Anguilla rostrata) a day. Each American eel must be at least nine inches long.

It is unlawful to take, harm, or kill robust redhorse (moxostoma robustum) from public waters. Any robust redhorse taken must be returned immediately to the water from which it was taken. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon co…

(A) No more than four hundred hooks may be attached to a single commercially fished trotline. A trotline must not be attached to another trotline or to the support or float of another trotline. A trotline must not be longer than two thousand feet. (B) April first to October first…

All set hooks must be removed from the water and from the vegetation or structure to which they are attached not later than one hour after sunrise each day and must not be placed in the water earlier than one hour before official sunset.

All jugs used in fishing in freshwaters must be sizes that are between a minimum capacity of one pint and a maximum capacity of one gallon with the licensee's name and department customer identification number clearly marked on each jug. All jugs must be removed from the water no…

(A) Except as provided in subsections (B) and (C), and the bait listed below, no other bait may be used with trotlines, set hooks, and jugs: (1) soap; (2) dough balls; (3) nongame fish or bream cut into two or more equal parts; (4) shrimp; (5) meat scraps which may not include in…

It is unlawful for a person to have in possession game fish, except live bream on those water bodies where permitted as live bait, while possessing or using nongame devices. The provisions of this section do not apply to a person using a cast net or landing net (dip net).

Archery equipment, cast nets, crayfish traps, gigs, hand grabbing, landing nets (dip nets), minnow seines, minnow traps, and spears, may be used in freshwaters, except in lakes owned or managed by the department and the freshwaters of the State in Game Zone 1, to take nongame fis…

An enforcement officer or department employee acting in their official capacity may inspect, at any reasonable hour, the vehicle, boat, processing house, and wholesale business which is connected with nongame commercial fishing activities and the records of a person required to b…

Except as otherwise provided, a person violating this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. In addition to that penalty, the court may order t…

(A) In addition to any specific penalty provided in this article, any fish or fishing device taken or found to be in possession of a person charged with a violation of this article must be seized. The fish must be sold in the same manner as provided by law for the sale of perisha…

(A) Except for department personnel in their official capacity, it is unlawful for a person to fish, inspect, or use in any manner nongame fishing devices owned and tagged by another person or to remove any fish from a device unless under the immediate supervision of the owner. A…

Except as otherwise provided, there is no closed season for taking fish, however, when because of natural or other conditions fish are vulnerable to predation or are in distress and in the professional judgment of the department need temporary protection or in order to protect th…

(A) It is unlawful to take fish by snagging. Nothing in this section prohibits the use of lures or baited hooks. (B) It is unlawful to take trout by snagging.