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South Carolina shellfish & crabs size limits and seasons

8 species, 2026 rules for state waters. Tap a species for every zone, the exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording and a keeper check. Updated 2026-10-01. All 106 South Carolina species A–Z →

Species	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Blue Crab	Open year-round	5 inch minimum	1 bushel per person per day, 2 bushels per boat
Freshwater Mussels (native)	Closed	—	—
Hard Clam	October 1 – May 15	1 inch minimum	½ bushel per person per day (max 3 limits per boat; 2 days per week)
Horseshoe Crab	Closed	—	—
Oyster	October 1 – May 15	None stated	2 bushels per person per day (max 3 limits per boat; 2 days per week)
Shrimp	May 1 – December 15	None	48 quarts heads-on (29 quarts headed) per boat per day, or per person without a boat
Spiny Lobster	Open year-round	3 inch minimum	2 per person per day
Stone Crab	Open year-round	2.75 inch minimum	No limit stated; one claw per crab, bodies may not be kept