Blue Crabs
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 owners name and
address marked on yellow floats only.
Crab & Shellfish
Methods & Devices Crab Pots (Traps)
Permits/Licenses: None for up to two pots. A
Commercial Saltwater Fishing License, Vessel
Decal, and Gear License are required for over
two pots. (Other information is provided with
licenses.)
Seasons: No closed season
Stone Crabs
Limit: None (state waters)
Size: Claws must be 2Ύ-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.
Spiny Lobster
Limit: 2 per person per day (all waters)
Size: Carapace must be over 3 inches
Restrictions:
No closed season.
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
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
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.Restrictions:
Season typically Sept. 16 through May 15; may
be shortened or extended by the DNR.
A person may harvest shellfish (clams and/or
oysters) recreationally no more than two days
per seven day period.
Permits/Licenses: Saltwater Recreational
Fishing License required.
Clams
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
Restrictions:
Season typically Sept. 16 through May 15; may
be shortened or extended by the DNR.
A person may harvest shellfish (clams and/or
oysters) recreationally no more than two days
per seven day period.