North Carolina vs South Carolina fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, South Carolina is $18 cheaper than North Carolina. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, South Carolina is $21 cheaper than North Carolina. You need a license from age 16 in North Carolina 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 | North Carolina | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $29 | $11 |
| 3 days | $29 | $11 |
| 7 days | $29 | $11 |
| 1 year | $56 | $35 |
| Salt water | ||
| 1 day | $15 | $10 |
| 3 days | $15 | $30 |
| 7 days | $15 | $35 |
| 1 year | $40 | $75 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $32 | $10 |
| Salt water | $20 | $15 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| North Carolina | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Age 70 resident lifetime inland fishing license: $20 (ages 70+) | Senior lifetime fishing license (64 and over): $9 (ages 64+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Sun, Jul 4, 2027 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 | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | 12 months from purchase | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: North Carolina fishing license · South Carolina fishing license
Shared waters
South Carolina border waters (North Carolina rules)
North Carolina and South Carolina have no reciprocal license agreement on their boundary waters, so a license from one state is not honored in the other state's waters. Secondary source: NC inland fishing, hunting and trapping digest 2026-27 (online edition)
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 | North Carolina | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth, redeye and spotted bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth, redeye and spotted bass |
| Walleye |
No minimum; bag 8 |
Walleye and sauger |
| Crappie |
No statewide minimum (8" on many named waters); bag No statewide limit (20 on many named waters) |
8" minimum; bag 20 |
| Striped bass |
Striped bass and bodie bass (inland) Striped bass (coastal): set each year |
Striped bass and hybrids (fresh water) Striped bass (salt water) |
| Red drum (redfish) |
Red drum |
Red drum |
| Spotted seatrout |
14" to 20"; 1 over 26" allowed; bag 3 |
14" minimum; bag 10 |
| Flounder |
Southern flounder: set each year |
Southern flounder |
| Cobia |
Cobia: set each year |
36" fork length; bag 1 (State waters south of 32°31.0' N; 1 more) |
| Black sea bass |
13" minimum; bag 15 (North of Cape Hatteras; 1 more) |
Red snapper, black sea bass and other snapper-grouper species: set each year |
Questions
Is a North Carolina fishing license valid in South Carolina?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: South Carolina border waters; Savannah River, Chattooga River and Savannah River lakes (Georgia border).
Which is cheaper for visitors, North Carolina or South Carolina?
1 day (fresh water): North Carolina $29, South Carolina $11. 1 year (fresh water): North Carolina $56, South Carolina $35.
At what age do you need a fishing license in North Carolina and South Carolina?
You need a license from age 16 in North Carolina and in South Carolina.