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South Carolina

86 species
🌊
Saltwater Fish
Spotted Seatrout
🐟
Freshwater Fish
Largemouth Bass
🦅
State Bird
Carolina Wren
🌸
State Flower
Yellow Jessamine
🦌
State Mammal
White-tailed Deer

Largemouth Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Secondary: Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 60-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: lakes, ponds, rivers, reservoirs
Peak spawn March-May; aggressive fall feeding

Smallmouth Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun
Secondary: Oct, Nov
🌡️ Temp: 58-72°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, upland_streams
Primarily upstate rivers; cooler water preference

Spotted Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun
Secondary: Oct, Nov
🌡️ Temp: 60-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, reservoirs
Midland rivers and reservoirs

Striped Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun
Secondary: Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 55-68°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, lakes, coastal
State fish; landlocked + anadromous populations

White Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun
🌡️ Temp: 55-70°F
🏞️ Habitat: lakes, reservoirs
Spring spawn runs in tributaries

Hybrid Striped Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Oct, Nov
🌡️ Temp: 55-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: lakes, reservoirs
Stocked hybrid; year-round with spring/fall peaks

Bluegill

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 65-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: ponds, lakes, slow_rivers
Year-round availability; multiple spawns May-Aug

Redear Sunfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 68-82°F
🏞️ Habitat: lakes, ponds
Shellcracker; peak spring-summer

Redbreast Sunfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 60-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, streams
Popular in Piedmont streams

Green Sunfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 60-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: ponds, streams
Hardy; tolerates poor water quality

Pumpkinseed

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 65-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: ponds, lakes
Less common than other sunfish

Warmouth

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 65-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: swamps, slow_rivers
Prefers heavy cover and vegetation

Black Crappie

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May
Secondary: Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 55-72°F
🏞️ Habitat: lakes, reservoirs
Peak spawn March-April; excellent table fare

White Crappie

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May
Secondary: Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 55-70°F
🏞️ Habitat: lakes, rivers
Slightly earlier spawn than black crappie

Channel Catfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 70-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, lakes, ponds
Year-round; peak summer feeding

Blue Catfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 70-85°F
🏞️ Habitat: large_rivers, reservoirs
Non-native but established; trophy potential

Flathead Catfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 72-88°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, reservoirs
Introduced; large specimens common

White Catfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 68-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: coastal_rivers, estuaries
Tolerates brackish water

Brook Trout

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
🌡️ Temp: 45-65°F
🏞️ Habitat: mountain_streams
Native to Blue Ridge mountains only

Brown Trout

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
🌡️ Temp: 50-68°F
🏞️ Habitat: stocked_streams, rivers
Stocked; upstate only

Rainbow Trout

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
🌡️ Temp: 50-68°F
🏞️ Habitat: stocked_streams, lakes
Heavily stocked Oct-March

Golden Shiner

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Common baitfish; year-round presence

Satinfin Shiner

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Native; streams and rivers

Spottail Shiner

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Common in lakes and slow rivers

Sandbar Shiner

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Sandy-bottom streams

Eastern Silvery Minnow

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Coastal plain streams

White Sucker

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Spring spawn runs; bottom feeder

Spotted Sucker

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Rivers and large streams

Carolina Darter

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Endemic to SC/NC; small benthic fish

Savannah Darter

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Savannah River drainage

Piedmont Darter

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Piedmont region streams

Banded Killifish

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Coastal waters and streams

Mosquitofish

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Mosquito control; widespread

Bowfin

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Living fossil; aggressive predator

Chain Pickerel

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Year-round; coastal plain waters

American Eel

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Catadromous; spawns in ocean

Pirate Perch

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Unusual anus placement; swamps

Common Carp

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; removal encouraged

Grass Carp

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; stocked for vegetation control (sterile)

Silver Carp

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; jumping hazard

Bighead Carp

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; filter feeder

Goldfish

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; released pets

White Perch

⚠️ Invasive
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Invasive; competes with native species

Red Drum

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov
Secondary: Apr, May, Jun
🌡️ Temp: 60-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, nearshore, estuaries
Fall migration most productive

Black Drum

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun
Secondary: Oct, Nov
🌡️ Temp: 55-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, estuaries
Spring run near oyster beds

Atlantic Croaker

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 55-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, estuaries
Year-round; excellent table fare

Spot

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 60-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, estuaries
Fall migration run

Spotted Seatrout

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 65-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, grass_flats, estuaries
Peak summer fishing

Weakfish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 60-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, estuaries
Declining population; spring-summer

Southern Flounder

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Apr, May, Jun
🌡️ Temp: 55-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, estuaries, nearshore
Fall migration; spring secondary

Summer Flounder

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
🌡️ Temp: 60-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, offshore
Summer migration inshore

Gulf Flounder

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 60-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, estuaries
Year-round resident

Spanish Mackerel

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 65-78°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, inshore
Summer migration; fast action

King Mackerel

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 68-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, offshore
Summer offshore; trophy fish

Bluefish

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
🌡️ Temp: 60-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, inshore, surf
Summer migration; aggressive feeders

Atlantic Bonito

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 55-70°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, offshore
Spring and fall migration runs

Sheepshead

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 50-70°F
🏞️ Habitat: inshore, piers, jetties, oyster_beds
Winter fishing peak; near structure

Black Sea Bass

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 55-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, offshore, reefs
Summer nearshore; reef structure

Tautog

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Nov, Dec
🌡️ Temp: 50-68°F
🏞️ Habitat: nearshore, jetties, reefs
Blackfish; spring and fall best

Pinfish

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Year-round bait stealer

Pigfish

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Common inshore

Lizardfish

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Bottom dweller; toothy

Sea Robin

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Common catch; grunts

Northern Puffer

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Inflates when threatened

Filefish

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Reef associated

Cowfish

Non-Game
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Boxy appearance; toxic skin

Blacktip Shark

Awareness Only
Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
⚠️ Safety awareness only; summer nearshore

Spinner Shark

Awareness Only
Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
⚠️ Safety awareness; spinning jumps

Bull Shark

Awareness Only
Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
⚠️ Caution; tolerates freshwater

Sandbar Shark

Awareness Only
Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
⚠️ Common nearshore; docile

Bonnethead

Awareness Only
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
⚠️ Small shark; inshore waters

Southern Stingray

Awareness Only
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
⚠️ Venomous barb; shuffle feet

Cownose Ray

Awareness Only
Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
⚠️ Schools; wing-like fins

Atlantic Skate

Awareness Only
Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Offshore; cooler waters

American Shad

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May
🌡️ Temp: 50-65°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, estuaries
Spring spawning migration

Hickory Shad

Regulated
✓ Harvestable
Peak: Mar, Apr, May, Jun
🌡️ Temp: 52-68°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, estuaries
Spring run; excellent fighter

Alewife

Non-Game
Peak: Mar, Apr, May
Spring spawning run; baitfish

Blueback Herring

Non-Game
Peak: Apr, May, Jun
Spring run; later than alewife

Minnows (group)

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 50-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: streams, rivers, lakes
Essential forage base; group includes dozens of species

Shiners (group)

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 50-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds
Popular live bait; group includes golden, satinfin, spottail, and others

Darters (group)

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 50-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: streams, rivers
Small benthic fish; high biodiversity in SC streams

Suckers (group)

Peak: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 45-70°F
🏞️ Habitat: streams, rivers
Spring spawning runs; bottom feeders

Atlantic Menhaden (Bunker)

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
🌡️ Temp: 55-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: coastal, bays, estuaries
Critical forage species; supports commercial and recreational fisheries

Bay Anchovy

Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 60-80°F
🏞️ Habitat: bays, estuaries
Abundant baitfish in estuaries

Silversides

Peak: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
🌡️ Temp: 55-75°F
🏞️ Habitat: coastal, bays, surf
Small schooling fish; important prey for gamefish

River Herring (Alewife / Blueback)

Peak: Mar, Apr, May, Jun
🌡️ Temp: 45-65°F
🏞️ Habitat: rivers, estuaries
⚠️ Protected species; anadromous spawning runs

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