SlotGaugeCheck a catchGolden Tilefish regulations in South Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Golden Tilefish size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | No minimum size | 1 per person per day, within the 3-grouper aggregate |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | January 1 – March 20 | No minimum size | 1 per person per day, within the 3-grouper aggregate |
Notes
- Counts toward the 3-fish grouper/tilefish aggregate.
- State waters (0–3 mi) have no closed season; federal closures from SAFMC apply beyond 3 mi and can change mid-year when catch limits are met — check safmc.net before an offshore trip.
Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording
- Season
- Open year-round in state waters
- Size
- None
- Limit
- 1 per person per day, within the 3-grouper aggregate
- statewide — as printed
- “Golden Tilefish | Federal waters closed Mar 21 – Dec 31, 2026 | 1 per person per day, within the 3-grouper aggregate | None”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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About the golden tilefish
Species of fish
The great northern tilefish or golden tile, is the largest species in the family Malacanthidae (tilefishes). It grows to a length of between 38 and 44 inches. The great northern tilefish is a slow-growing and long-lived species that has four stages of life. After hatching from eggs, the larvae are found in plankton. As they grow into juveniles, the individuals seek shelter until finding or making their own burrows. As adults, the tilefish continue to expand their burrows in the sediment throughout their lives. The diet of the larvae is unknown, but presumed to consist of zooplankton; juveniles and adults feed upon various benthic invertebrates, crustaceans, and fish. After reaching sexual maturity between 5 and 7 years of age, females lay eggs throughout the mating season for the male to fertilize, with each female laying an average of 2.3 million eggs.
Read more about Great northern tilefish on Wikipedia →
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 Golden Tilefish in South Carolina?
No minimum size in South Carolina state waters.
How many Golden Tilefish can you keep per day in South Carolina?
1 per person per day, within the 3-grouper aggregate.
When is Golden Tilefish season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Golden Tilefish a keeper today?
Golden Tilefish has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 1.