Dolphin regulations in South Carolina

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A dolphin is a keeper today if it measures at least 20 inches, with a daily limit of 10.

Dolphin size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
SC state waters (to 3 mi)	Open year-round	20 inch minimum	10 per person, max 54 per boat

Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 20-inch FL
Limit: 10 per person per day not to exceed 54 per boat per day. Headboats have no boat limit
statewide — as printed: “Dolphin | | 10 per person per day not to exceed 54 per boat per day. Headboats have no boat limit | 20-inch FL”

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).

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About the dolphin

Species of fish

The mahi-mahi, common dolphinfish, dolphinfish, dolphin or dorado is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide. It is one of two members of the family Coryphaenidae, the other being the pompano dolphinfish. These fish are most commonly found in the waters around the Gulf of Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and the Indian Ocean. In Italy it is called corifena, lampuga or pesce capone, and has even given its name to the caponata though eggplant has now taken the place of the fish.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, not Wikipedia.

All 106 South Carolina species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Dolphin in South Carolina?

20 inch minimum in South Carolina state waters.

How many Dolphin can you keep per day in South Carolina?

10 per person, max 54 per boat.

When is Dolphin season in South Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my Dolphin a keeper today?

A dolphin is a keeper today if it measures at least 20 inches, with a daily limit of 10.