How to Properly Measure a Fish

All freshwater fish species in the state of South Carolina are measured using total length. Although, some saltwater species are measured with fork length.

Total Length
TL = total length measure: Tip of snout to tip of tail (excluding filaments). Tail should be pinched.

Fork Length
FL = fork length measure: Tip
of snout to fork of tail.

The following SCDNR Video shows how to properly measure a fish using Total Length and Fork Length.