Welcome to 2022-23 South Carolina Fishing
What’s New - Freshwater Fishing
Act 137 (H.4907)
Various Freshwater Fisheries Updates
- Requires that recreational trot lines be checked at least once every 24 hours, the same requirement that currently exists for commercial trot lines.
- Reinstates the ban on nongame fish devices (trot lines, limb lines, jugs, cast nets, etc.) in the lakes and rivers of Game Zone 1.
- Prohibits “snagging” fish in all fresh waters. “Snagging” means pulling a device equipped with one or more hooks through the water in an attempt to impale fish. The prohibition previously applied only within 1,000 feet downstream of a dam or hydroelectric facility. This does not apply to people fishing with lures or baited hooks.
Effective April 11, 2022
What’s New - Saltwater Fishing
Act 178 (S.980)
Red Snapper Possession in State Waters
Anglers may retain up to two red snapper per person in state waters with a minimum size of 20 inches total length and no closed season. Possession in federal waters is prohibited unless otherwise specified.
Effective May 16, 2022
Act 198 (H.4986)
Traps in the General Trawl Zone
This act prohibits traps in the General Trawl Zone when these waters are open to trawling for shrimp.
Effective July 15, 2022
What’s New - Boating
Act 124 (H.3308)
Idle Speed Distances
Creates a prohibition on “wake surfing” within 200 feet of a moored vessel, wharf, dock, bulkhead, pier, or person in the water. Wake surfing is defined as “to operate a vessel that is ballasted in the stern so as to create a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by another person.”
Effective March 14, 2022
What’s New - General
Act 219 (H.3291)
Trespassing Notice – “Purple Paint Law”
Amends Section 16-11-600 to allow landowners to mark property boundaries for trespass notice purposes with a “clearly visible, purple-painted marking,” consisting of one vertical line not less than 8” long and 2” wide, and the bottom of the mark not less than 3’ nor more than 6’ from the ground or normal water surface. The marks must be affixed to immovable, permanent objects that are not more than 100 yards apart and readily visible to any person approaching the property.
Effective May 23, 2022
Indian Creek Quail Focal Area
The area is defined as that area of the Sumter National Forest Enoree Ranger District in Newberry County, bounded on the south by Old Whitmire Highway, private lands, and SC Highway 176; on the east by Brazzelman’s Bridge Road, and private lands; on the northeast by the Enoree River; on the north by Wallace Road and private lands; on the west by SC Highway 121 and private lands; and on the southeast by Indian Creek to its intersection with SC Highway 121.
