When is flathead catfish season in South Carolina?

South Carolina keeps flathead catfish open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the South Carolina bag limit for flathead catfish?

The South Carolina daily bag limit for flathead catfish is No statewide daily creel limit (introduced species — harvest unrestricted). The possession limit is No statewide possession limit. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size flathead catfish can you keep in South Carolina?

The South Carolina size rule for flathead catfish is No statewide size limit. Trophy rule: SC state-record flathead: 79 lb 4 oz (2001). An introduced apex predator — SCDNR places no creel or size limit on flathead to encourage harvest in invaded river systems (Pee Dee, Santee, Edisto, Savannah)..

Do you need a license to fish for flathead catfish in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina requires a valid fishing license to fish for flathead catfish, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a South Carolina license — compare resident and non-resident South Carolina fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for flathead catfish in South Carolina?

Yes. In South Carolina, flathead catfish fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; trotlines, set hooks, and jugs permitted under SCDNR nongame-device rules + tagging; No statewide daily creel or size limit on flathead catfish (introduced nongame fish); Live + cut bait most effective; flatheads hold on woody cover + deep river holes; Freshwater fishing licence required ages 16+ (resident annual $10 / non-resident annual $35).

Do specific South Carolina waters have different flathead catfish rules?

Yes. 5 named South Carolina waters carry rules that override the statewide flathead catfish regulation, including Pee Dee River, Santee system, Edisto River, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

South Carolina Flathead catfish 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

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Last updated May 30, 2026

Flathead catfish are an introduced species in South Carolina — native to the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri river basins, they were brought into the state's Coastal Plain and Piedmont rivers and have since established in the Pee Dee, Santee, Edisto, and Savannah drainages and most major reservoirs. SCDNR rates them a great sportfish but notes they have negatively affected native species and unbalanced some river ecosystems, so there is no statewide creel or size limit on flathead — harvest is unrestricted on hook and line. The SC state record flathead weighs 79 lb 4 oz (2001). Flatheads are ambush predators that hold around woody cover and deep holes in the bigger rivers, and they take live and cut bait readily.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round statewide. No statewide daily creel limit and no size limit (introduced nongame fish — harvest unrestricted).

Bag & possession

Daily bag: No statewide daily creel limit (introduced species — harvest unrestricted)
Possession: No statewide possession limit

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: No statewide size limit
Trophy rule: SC state-record flathead: 79 lb 4 oz (2001). An introduced apex predator — SCDNR places no creel or size limit on flathead to encourage harvest in invaded river systems (Pee Dee, Santee, Edisto, Savannah).

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; trotlines, set hooks, and jugs permitted under SCDNR nongame-device rules + tagging
No statewide daily creel or size limit on flathead catfish (introduced nongame fish)
Live + cut bait most effective; flatheads hold on woody cover + deep river holes
Freshwater fishing licence required ages 16+ (resident annual $10 / non-resident annual $35)

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific South Carolina waters:

Pee Dee River
No statewide limit; established flathead population — Coastal Plain river
Santee River + Santee Cooper lakes
No statewide limit; flathead established throughout the drainage
Edisto River
No statewide limit; blackwater flathead fishery
Savannah River (GA/SC)
No statewide limit; flathead established; GA/SC boundary water
Lake Wateree
No statewide limit; reservoir flathead fishery

Official source

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 South Carolinafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

The flathead catfish rules on this page are sourced from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources's official flathead catfish regulation page.

Visit official South Carolina fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Flathead catfish closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any South Carolina trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is flathead catfish season in South Carolina?: South Carolina keeps flathead catfish open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the South Carolina bag limit for flathead catfish?: The South Carolina daily bag limit for flathead catfish is No statewide daily creel limit (introduced species — harvest unrestricted). The possession limit is No statewide possession limit. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size flathead catfish can you keep in South Carolina?: The South Carolina size rule for flathead catfish is No statewide size limit. Trophy rule: SC state-record flathead: 79 lb 4 oz (2001). An introduced apex predator — SCDNR places no creel or size limit on flathead to encourage harvest in invaded river systems (Pee Dee, Santee, Edisto, Savannah)..
Do you need a license to fish for flathead catfish in South Carolina?: Yes. South Carolina requires a valid fishing license to fish for flathead catfish, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a South Carolina license — compare resident and non-resident South Carolina fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for flathead catfish in South Carolina?: Yes. In South Carolina, flathead catfish fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; trotlines, set hooks, and jugs permitted under SCDNR nongame-device rules + tagging; No statewide daily creel or size limit on flathead catfish (introduced nongame fish); Live + cut bait most effective; flatheads hold on woody cover + deep river holes; Freshwater fishing licence required ages 16+ (resident annual $10 / non-resident annual $35).
Do specific South Carolina waters have different flathead catfish rules?: Yes. 5 named South Carolina waters carry rules that override the statewide flathead catfish regulation, including Pee Dee River, Santee system, Edisto River, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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