Regulations - Species Limits, Possession, Size

Striped bass

Regulations effective July 1, 2012

Possession Limit: No more than 10 hybrid bass or striped bass or a combination per person per day.

Exceptions to the limits above:

• In the following freshwater bodies: the Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system; Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; Horseshoe Creek; Lumber River; Lynches River; Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee Rivers; Pocotaligo River in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties; Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers; Sampit River; Santee River system except the lower reach of the Saluda River; Tulifinny River; Thoroughfare Creek; and Waccamaw River from June 1st to September 30th, it is unlawful to take, attempt to take, or to possess striped bass. Striped bass taken must be returned immediately to the waters from where it came.
• On the lower reach of the Saluda River from June 1st to September 30th, it is unlawful to take or possess striped bass. Striped bass taken must be returned immediately to the waters from where it came.
• In the following freshwater bodies: the Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system; Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; Horseshoe Creek; Lumber River; Lynches River; Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee Rivers; Pocotaligo River in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties; Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers; Sampit River; Santee River system; Tulifinny River; Thoroughfare Creek; and Waccamaw River from October 1st through May 31st, it is unlawful to take or possess more than 3 striped bass a day.
• In the following freshwater bodies: the Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system; Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; Horseshoe Creek; Lumber River; Lynches River; Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee Rivers; Pocotaligo River in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties; Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers; Sampit River; Santee River system; Tulifinny River; Thoroughfare Creek; and Waccamaw River from October 1st through May 31st, it is unlawful to take or possess a striped bass less than 26 inches in total length.
• On Lake Murray and the middle reach of the Saluda River it is unlawful to possess more than five striped bass a day. From June 1st through September 30th, it is unlawful to take, attempt to take, or possess more than five striped bass a day. On Lake Murray and the middle reach of the Saluda River from October 1st through May 31st, it is unlawful to possess a striped bass less than 21 inches in total length. From June 1st to September 30th there is no minimum length.
• On Lakes Hartwell and Thurmond, it is unlawful to possess more than 10 striped bass or hybrid bass or a combination of those a day and only 3 may be over 26 inches in total length.
• On Lake Richard B. Russell and the Lake Hartwell tailwater it is unlawful to possess more than 2 striped bass or hybrid bass or a combination of those a day, and only 1 may be over 34 inches total length.
• On the lower reach of the Savannah River it is unlawful to possess more than 2 striped bass, hybrid bass, white bass, or a combination of these. Any of these fish taken from the lower reach of the Savannah River must be at least 27 inches in total length.

Other Restrictions:

• Game fish must be landed with head and tail fin intact.