Angler Recognition Program

Certify your Fish

How to Properly Measure a Fish

Tip of snout with mouth closed to tip of tail (excluding filaments). Tail should be pinched.

How to measure a fish Illustration, showing red boxed to indicate total length from tip of nose to tip of tail pinched to a point

The Angler Recognition Program applies only to public waters, to include SCDNR Public Fishing Lakes.

All freshwater fish species in the state of South Carolina are measured using total length.

Fish entry must be caught on standard sport fishing tackle; rod, reel and line or pole and line. Entry must be hooked and played by one person only.
The tackle used must be standard and available commercially.
The catch must be made in accordance with any laws or regulations governing the species and/or water body from which it was caught.
No estimated weights will be acceptable. Fish entry must be weighed on a certified scale of known accuracy in the presence of a witness at least 18 years old. (Most grocery stores have certified scales). You may be asked to prove the accuracy of the scales used.
A completed affidavit (Adobe PDF) is required for all entries.
A signed waiver for use of photo, if desired, to be placed on Facebook.

Fish entry must be caught on standard sport fishing tackle; rod, reel and line or pole and line. Entry must be hooked and played by one person only.
The tackle used must be standard and available commercially.
The catch must be made in accordance with any laws or regulations governing the species and/or water body from which it was caught.
A side view photograph along a ruler or tape measure is required for each entry.
The measurement of the fish must be for the total length of the fish with head and tail in tact.
The measurement of the fish must be in the presence of a witness at least 18 years of age.
A completed affidavit (Adobe PDF) is required for all entries.
A signed waiver for use of photo, if desired, to be placed on Facebook.

Adobe® Reader® is required to open the files above and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.