What special fishing regulations apply at Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor)?

Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor) carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override South Carolina's statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + brook). One of them reads: "GA/SC boundary — Delayed Harvest Nov 1 – May 14 catch-and-release single-hook-artificial-only on the Hwy 28 to Reed Creek reach; general reaches possession 5, no minimum size; freshwater licence required (no separate trout permit); reciprocal with Georgia on the open river." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor)?

Yes. Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor) 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 Chattooga River; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Carolina rules.

Do Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor)'s special rules replace South Carolina's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. South Carolina's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Chattooga River 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 Chattooga River?

Trout (rainbow + brown + brook) has a water-body-specific rule on Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor), each linking to its full South Carolina regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide South Carolina limits.

2026 regulation year

Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor) 2026 — South Carolina Fishing Regulations

South Carolina statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor) carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of South Carolina's 2026 fishing rules — covering Trout (rainbow + brown + brook). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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Watch Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor) (SC) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

GA/SC boundary — Delayed Harvest Nov 1 – May 14 catch-and-release single-hook-artificial-only on the Hwy 28 to Reed Creek reach; general reaches possession 5, no minimum size; freshwater licence required (no separate trout permit); reciprocal with Georgia on the open river
Source: South Carolina special-water list

Per-species rules on Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor)

Trout (rainbow + brown + brook) regulations →
Delayed Harvest Nov 1 – May 14 catch-and-release, single-hook artificial only; possession 5, no minimum size May 15 – Oct 31; SC/GA reciprocal Wild & Scenic boundary

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

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor)?: Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor) carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override South Carolina's statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + brook). One of them reads: "GA/SC boundary — Delayed Harvest Nov 1 – May 14 catch-and-release single-hook-artificial-only on the Hwy 28 to Reed Creek reach; general reaches possession 5, no minimum size; freshwater licence required (no separate trout permit); reciprocal with Georgia on the open river." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor)?: Yes. Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor) 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 Chattooga River; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide South Carolina rules.
Do Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor)'s special rules replace South Carolina's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. South Carolina's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Chattooga River 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 Chattooga River?: Trout (rainbow + brown + brook) has a water-body-specific rule on Chattooga River (SC/GA Wild & Scenic River corridor), 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