Georgia vs South Carolina fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, South Carolina is $6 cheaper than Georgia. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, South Carolina is $15 cheaper than Georgia. You need a license from age 16 in Georgia and in South Carolina.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Georgia | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $10 | $11 |
| 3 days | $17 | $11 |
| 7 days | $31 | $11 |
| 1 year | $50 | $35 |
| Salt water | ||
| 1 day | $10 | $10 |
| 3 days | $17 | $30 |
| 7 days | $31 | $35 |
| 1 year | $50 | $75 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $15 | $10 |
| Salt water | $15 | $15 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Georgia | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Resident senior fishing license (65+): $4 (ages 65+) Resident senior lifetime fishing license (65+): $35 (ages 65+) | Senior lifetime fishing license (64 and over): $9 (ages 64+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit: Free | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Mon, May 31, 2027 (residents) Sun, Jul 4, 2027 (residents) Not yet announced |
| On a charter | It depends on the boat and where you fish | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers |
| License on your phone | – | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | 12 months from purchase | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Georgia fishing license · South Carolina fishing license
Shared waters
Savannah, Tugaloo and Chattooga rivers and their lakes (South Carolina) (Georgia rules)
A Georgia or South Carolina freshwater license is valid, for residents and non-residents, on the Savannah River from its mouth up to the Tugaloo/Seneca junction, the Tugaloo and Chattooga rivers up to the North Carolina line, and Lakes Hartwell, Richard B. Russell, Clarks Hill (Strom Thurmond), Yonah, Tugaloo, New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam and Stevens Creek. This covers the banks as well. Tributary streams are not covered, and nor are saltwater or commercial fishing. You need a South Carolina saltwater license to fish from a boat on the South Carolina side of the Savannah below the CSX trestle over the Back River. Shared creel and size limits apply on these waters. Secondary source: Georgia sport fishing regulations (eRegulations)
Savannah River, Chattooga River and Savannah River lakes (Georgia border) (South Carolina rules)
A valid South Carolina or Georgia freshwater fishing license is accepted on the Savannah River from its mouth to the Tugaloo/Seneca confluence, the Chattooga River up to the North Carolina line, and Lakes Thurmond, Russell, Hartwell, Yonah, Tugaloo, Stevens Creek and New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. Tributaries are not included. Follow the limits of the state whose shore or waters you fish; check both agencies. Official source
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Georgia | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Black bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth, redeye and spotted bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth, redeye and spotted bass |
| Trout |
bag 8 |
Trout (brook, brown and rainbow) |
| Walleye |
bag 8 |
Walleye and sauger |
| Crappie |
bag 30 |
8" minimum; bag 20 |
| Catfish |
Channel and flathead catfish |
Blue catfish |
| Striped bass |
Striped, white and hybrid bass |
Striped bass and hybrids (fresh water) Striped bass (salt water) |
| Red drum (redfish) |
Red drum |
Red drum |
| Spotted seatrout |
14" minimum; bag 15 |
14" minimum; bag 10 |
| Flounder |
12" minimum; bag 15 |
Southern flounder |
| Cobia |
36" fork length; bag 1 (6 per boat) |
36" fork length; bag 1 (State waters south of 32°31.0' N; 1 more) |
Questions
Is a Georgia fishing license valid in South Carolina?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Savannah, Tugaloo and Chattooga rivers and their lakes (South Carolina); Savannah River, Chattooga River and Savannah River lakes (Georgia border).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Georgia or South Carolina?
1 day (fresh water): Georgia $10, South Carolina $11. 1 year (fresh water): Georgia $50, South Carolina $35.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Georgia and South Carolina?
You need a license from age 16 in Georgia and in South Carolina.