SlotGaugeCheck a catchMutton Snapper regulations in South Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Mutton Snapper size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 18 inch minimum | 5 per person per day, within the 10-snapper aggregate |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | Open year-round | 18 inch minimum | 5 per person per day, within the 10-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
- 18 inch total length
- Limit
- 5 per person per day, within the 10-snapper aggregate
- statewide — as printed
- “Mutton Snapper | Open year-round | 5 per person per day, within the 10-snapper aggregate | 18 inch total length”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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About the mutton snapper
Species of fish
The mutton snapper is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a snapper belonging to the family Lutjanidae. It is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean.
Read more about Mutton 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 Mutton Snapper in South Carolina?
18 inch minimum in South Carolina state waters.
How many Mutton Snapper can you keep per day in South Carolina?
5 per person per day, within the 10-snapper aggregate.
When is Mutton Snapper season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Mutton Snapper a keeper today?
A mutton snapper is a keeper today if it measures at least 18 inches, with a daily limit of 5.