SlotGaugeCheck a catchScamp regulations in South Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Scamp size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | No minimum size | 3 per person per day in state waters; federal: 1 scamp or yellowmouth (not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | May 1 – December 31 | No minimum size | 3 per person per day in state waters; federal: 1 scamp or yellowmouth (not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate |
Notes
- A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' zones[federal].bag. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/fishing/snapper-grouper-complex-size-catch-limits
- 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
- 3 per person per day in state waters; federal: 1 scamp or yellowmouth (not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate
- statewide — as printed
- “Scamp | Federal waters closed Jan 1 – Apr 30 | 3 per person per day in state waters; federal: 1 scamp or yellowmouth (not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate | None”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
Check your scamp in seconds
Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's South Carolina rules.
Open SlotGauge for ScampMore
About the scamp
Species of fish
The scamp grouper, also known as scamp, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Read more about Scamp grouper 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 Scamp in South Carolina?
No minimum size in South Carolina state waters.
How many Scamp can you keep per day in South Carolina?
3 per person per day in state waters; federal: 1 scamp or yellowmouth (not both), within the 3-grouper aggregate.
When is Scamp season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Scamp a keeper today?
Scamp has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 3.