What special fishing regulations apply at Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal)?

Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal) carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override South Carolina's statewide 2026 rules, covering Red drum (redfish) and Spotted seatrout (speckled trout). One of them reads: "Saltwater licence required — inshore red drum 15–23 in slot, 2 / day, 6 / boat (18–25 in, 1 / day, 2 / boat from July 1, 2026, Act 231); spotted seatrout 14 in min, 10 / day; black drum 14–27 in slot, 5 / day." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal)?

Yes. Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal) is in South Carolina, so a valid South Carolina fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Charleston Harbor; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Carolina rules.

Do Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal)'s special rules replace South Carolina's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. South Carolina's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Charleston Harbor by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Charleston Harbor?

Red drum (redfish) and Spotted seatrout (speckled trout) have a water-body-specific rule on Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal), each linking to its full South Carolina regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Carolina limits.

2026 regulation year

Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal) 2026 — South Carolina Fishing Regulations

South Carolina statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal) carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of South Carolina's 2026 fishing rules — covering Red drum (redfish), Spotted seatrout (speckled trout). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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Watch Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal) (SC) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Saltwater licence required — inshore red drum 15–23 in slot, 2 / day, 6 / boat (18–25 in, 1 / day, 2 / boat from July 1, 2026, Act 231); spotted seatrout 14 in min, 10 / day; black drum 14–27 in slot, 5 / day
Source: South Carolina special-water list

Per-species rules on Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal)

Red drum (redfish) regulations →
15–23 in slot, 2 / day, 6 / boat (→ 18–25 in, 1 / day, 2 / boat from July 1, 2026)
Spotted seatrout (speckled trout) regulations →
14 in min, 10 / day

Official source

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 South Carolina fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official South Carolina fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven 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.

Other special-regulation waters in South Carolina

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal)?: Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal) carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override South Carolina's statewide 2026 rules, covering Red drum (redfish) and Spotted seatrout (speckled trout). One of them reads: "Saltwater licence required — inshore red drum 15–23 in slot, 2 / day, 6 / boat (18–25 in, 1 / day, 2 / boat from July 1, 2026, Act 231); spotted seatrout 14 in min, 10 / day; black drum 14–27 in slot, 5 / day." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal)?: Yes. Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal) is in South Carolina, so a valid South Carolina fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Charleston Harbor; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Carolina rules.
Do Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal)'s special rules replace South Carolina's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. South Carolina's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Charleston Harbor by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Charleston Harbor?: Red drum (redfish) and Spotted seatrout (speckled trout) have a water-body-specific rule on Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers (tidal), each linking to its full South Carolina regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Carolina limits.

← Back to South Carolina regulations overview