Saltwater Fishing Regulations - Crab, Lobster

Crab, Lobster & Shellfish Harvesting

Blue Crabs

Permits/ Licenses:	Saltwater Recreational Fishing License required. See gear exemptions.
Limit:	None (state waters)
Size:	5-inch minimum carapace width (point to point)
Restrictions:	Females with egg mass (sponge) must be returned to water unharmed immediately. For recreational purposes no more than two traps (pots) per person with owner’s name and address marked on yellow floats only.

Stone Crabs

Permits/ Licenses:	Saltwater Recreational Fishing License required. See gear exemptions.
Limit:	None (state waters)
Size:	Claws must be 2 3/4-inch minimum forearm (propodus)
Restrictions:	Only crabs with 2 claws may have one removed. Only the larger of two claws may be kept. It is unlawful to possess any stone crab body, live or dead. No claw may be removed from a female with egg mass. For recreational purposes no more than two traps (pots) per person with owner's name and address marked on yellow floats only.

Spiny Lobster

Permits/Licenses:	Saltwater Recreational Fishing License required.
Limit:	2 per person per day (all waters)
Size:	Carapace must be over 3 inches
Season:	No closed season.
Restrictions:	Removal of tail at sea prohibited. No harvest of berried females is allowed. No explosives, poisons, spears, or piercing devices other than fishing hooks are allowed.

Oysters

Permits/Licenses:	Saltwater Recreational Fishing License required.
Limit:	2 U.S. bushels per person per day from public or state shellfish grounds. No boat or vehicle, or boat and vehicle combination, may contain more than three personal limits regardless of the number of persons on the boat or in the vehicle. In order to possess three personal limits, there must be three persons on the boat or in the vehicle. If there are four or more persons on the boat or in the vehicle, there is a maximum possession limit of three personal limits.
Size:	No Limit
Season:	typically Sept. 16 through May 15; may be shortened or extended by the DNR.
Restrictions:	A person may harvest shellfish (clams and/or oysters) recreationally no more than two days per seven day period.
Shell Recycling:	Oyster shells are collected throughout the coastal area and reused for shellfish culture. Call 843-953-9300 for shell drop-off site locations, or visit saltwaterfishing.sc.gov/oyster.html for detailed maps of locations.

Clams

Permits/Licenses:	Saltwater Recreational Fishing License required.
Limit:	1/2 U.S. bushel per person per day from public or state shellfish grounds. No boat or vehicle, or boat and vehicle combination, may contain more than three personal limits regardless of the number of persons on the boat or in the vehicle. In order to possess three personal limits there must be three persons on the boat or in the vehicle. If there are four or more persons on the boat or in the vehicle, there is a maximum possession limit of three personal limits.
Size:	1-inch minimum thickness
Season:	Typically Sept. 16 through May 15; may be shortened or extended by the DNR.
Restrictions:	A person may harvest shellfish (clams and/or oysters) recreationally no more than two days per seven day period.
Shell Recycling:	Oyster shells are collected throughout the coastal area and reused for shellfish culture. Call 843-953-9300 for shell drop-off site locations, or visit saltwaterfishing.sc.gov/oyster.html for detailed maps of locations.

Crab & Shellfish Methods & Devices

Crab Pots (Traps)

Permits/Licenses:	Saltwater Recreational Fishing License required. Licensees can fish no more than two pots recreationally. A commercial Saltwater Fishing License, Vessel Decal, and Gear License are required for over two pots. (Other information is provided with licenses.)
Season:	No closed season
Restrictions:	If unattended each pot float must bear name and address or license number of owner. No crab pot shall be left unattended in coastal waters more than 5 days. No crab trap or pot may be set within 200 yards of a public boat landing or launching area or set so as to be left dry at low tide. A float attached to a crab pot or trap must be made of solid, buoyant material which does not sink upon being punctured or cracked. The floats must be constructed of plastic, PVC Spongex, plastic foam, or cork. The primary float for a recreational pot or trap must be yellow in color and at least ten inches in length if rectangular, cylindrical, or conical and at least five inches in diameter or width. Round or spherical floats must be at least six inches in diameter. Buoy lines for crab pots must be made of nonfloating material.

Gathering Shellfish (Oysters & Clams)

Permits/Licenses:

Saltwater Recreational Fishing License required.

Seasons:

Typically Sept. 16 through May 15 (½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset).

Restrictions:

Shellfish may be harvested recreationally from State shellfish grounds and Public shellfish grounds. Public and State shellfish grounds are marked with signs. Recreational harvesting is allowed on culture permit grounds (formerly leases), but only when the harvester has in possession written permission from the culture permit holder. License must be in possession while harvesting.

Maps of areas where oysters and clams may be gathered in season for recreation may be found on the web at www.dnr.sc.gov or by writing Marine Resources at PO Box 12559, Charleston, SC 29422. www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/shellfish/regs.html.

Crab, Lobster and Shellfish Harvesting information above is found in the Saltwater Regulations which in the Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the files and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.

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South Carolina Department of Natural Resources