King Mackerel regulations in South Carolina

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A king mackerel is a keeper today if it measures at least 24 inches, with a daily limit of 3.

King Mackerel size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
SC state waters (to 3 mi)	Open year-round	24 inch minimum	3 per person per day

Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 24-inch FL
Limit: 3 per person per day
statewide — as printed: “King Mackerel | | 3 per person per day | 24-inch FL”

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

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About the king mackerel

Species of fish

The king mackerel, kingfish or carite lucio is a migratory species of mackerel of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. It is an important species to both the commercial and recreational fishing industries.

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

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for King Mackerel in South Carolina?

24 inch minimum in South Carolina state waters.

How many King Mackerel can you keep per day in South Carolina?

3 per person per day.

When is King Mackerel season in South Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my King Mackerel a keeper today?

A king mackerel is a keeper today if it measures at least 24 inches, with a daily limit of 3.