Nongame Device - Gill Nets for American shad, hickory shad & blueback herring

Description - Shad Gill Net:

A gill net used for taking or attempting to take shad in the inshore salt waters must have a stretched mesh size of no smaller than five and one-half inches and a length not exceeding nine hundred feet. A gill net used for shad in the freshwaters must have a stretched mesh size of no smaller than five and one-half inches and be no longer than six hundred feet. Gill nets for taking shad may be freely drift fished or set.

Description - Herring Gill Net:

A gill net used for taking or attempting to take herring in the salt waters of this State must have a mesh size of two and one-half inches stretched and a length no greater than nine hundred feet. A gill net used for taking or attempting to take herring in freshwaters must have a stretched mesh of two and one-half inches stretched and a length no greater than six hundred feet.

Where can the device be used:

Only allowed in designated areas during set seasons.

License Requirement:

Recreational fishing license (unless selling your catch then a commercial license is needed). If fishing in the freshwaters of the state, then a freshwater fishing license is required. If fishing in the saltwaters of the state, then a saltwater fishing license is required.
Purchase license online

Additional tags and permits required:

Must have a shad or herring gill net license and a free permit from the Office of Marine Fisheries, call Angel Brown 843-953-9311 or Bill Post 843-953-9821.

Hours / Seasons:

For more information on recreational or commercial blueback herring, American shad or hickory shad fishing, contact the Office of Fisheries Management at 843-953-9311.

Marking required:

Must be marked with name and customer ID number (See DNR issued fishing license) and a white floating marker with a minimum capacity of one quart and a maximum capacity of one gallon and must be made of solid, buoyant material which does not sink if punctured or cracked. The floating markers must be constructed of plastic, PVC Spongex, plastic foam or cork. No hollow buoys or floats including plastic, metal or glass bottles or jugs may be used except manufactured buoys or floats specifically designed for use with nongame fishing devices; these may be hollow if constructed of heavy duty plastic material and approved by the SCDNR. The owner's name and department customer identification number must be legible on each of the white floating marker. Both commercial and recreational fishermen shall comply with provisions of this title pertaining to the marking and use of a nongame fishing device.