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 South Carolina Department
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SCDNR News

New flounder regulations take effect July 1

UPDATED: June 24, 2021



Southern flounder regularly rank as one of the top three most targeted fish among recreational anglers along the South Carolina coast. They're prized for their delicious white meat.

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. – The results from a 2019 study of the Southeast’s flounder, one of the region’s most sought-after saltwater fish, were sobering: the research showed that southern flounder numbers were at historically low levels across the region due to overfishing.

Following the regional study, biologists from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) confirmed similar trends in South Carolina waters: the overall abundance, number of young fish produced and average size of southern flounder were all down. A public survey showed similar observations and concerns among South Carolina anglers, who expressed a strong preference for quickly rebuilding the fishery.

Now, the South Carolina General Assembly has responded with a suite of changes that will reduce the harvest of southern flounder in South Carolina waters, allowing the population to begin recovery. The new regulations include a minimum size limit of 16 inches and allow a catch limit of 5 fish per person per day and no more than 10 fish per boat per day. Previously, the minimum size limit was 15 inches, and the catch limit was 10 fish per person per day and 20 fish per boat per day. These changes apply to all Paralicthys species in South Carolina, which includes Gulf and summer flounder in addition to southern flounder.

The new regulations will take effect July 1, 2021.

“These new management measures will end the overharvest of flounder, allowing the fishery to begin to rebuild,” said Phil Maier, who oversees the agency’s Marine Resources Division. “We're grateful to the angling community for sharing their vision for the fishery and to the leaders who worked hard to craft this solution. We look forward to seeing this popular fish become a more common catch along the South Carolina coast.”

Lawmakers also took the opportunity to increase a selection of saltwater license fees (detailed in the graph below), the funds from some of which will be directed to a new flounder stocking program. Most notable for South Carolina residents is an increase in the cost of an annual saltwater recreational fishing license – the first in two decades – from $10 to $15. This brings South Carolina’s saltwater recreational license fees for residents in line with neighboring states (GA: $15; NC: $16).

Saltwater License Fees, Effective July 1

Fee
Resident – 14 Day $10
Resident – Annual $15
Resident – 3 Year $45
Nonresident – 1 Day $10
Nonresident – 7 Day $35
Nonresident – 14 Day No Longer Available
Nonresident – Annual $75
Nonresident – 3 Year No Longer Aviailable


Charter Fishing Vessel License Fees, Effective July 1

Fee
Resident – Six or fewer passengers $275
Resident – 6 to 49 passengers $450
Resident – 50+ Passengers $650
Nonresident – Six or fewer passengers $550
Nonresident – 6 to 49 passengers $900
Nonresident – 50+ Passengers $1,300

For additional information, contact:
Erin Weeks
(843) 729-3531