SlotGaugeCheck a catchGray Snapper regulations in South Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Gray Snapper size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 12 inch minimum | 10 per person per day (snapper aggregate) |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | Open year-round | 12 inch minimum | 10 per person per day (snapper aggregate) |
Notes
- Counts toward the 10-fish snapper aggregate (all snappers except red and vermilion).
- 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
- 12 inch total length
- Limit
- 10 per person per day (snapper aggregate)
- statewide — as printed
- “Gray Snapper | Open year-round | 10 per person per day (snapper aggregate) | 12 inch total length”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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About the gray snapper
Species of fish
The mangrove snapper or gray snapper is a species of snapper native to the western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean Sea. The species can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including brackish and fresh waters. It is commercially important and is sought as a game fish. It can also be found in the aquarium trade.
Read more about Mangrove snapper 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 Gray Snapper in South Carolina?
12 inch minimum in South Carolina state waters.
How many Gray Snapper can you keep per day in South Carolina?
10 per person per day (snapper aggregate).
When is Gray Snapper season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Gray Snapper a keeper today?
A gray snapper is a keeper today if it measures at least 12 inches, with a daily limit of 10.