Shrimp regulations in South Carolina

Shrimp · Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Shrimp has no size limit today, with 48 quarts heads-on (29 quarts headed) per boat per day, or per person without a boat.

Shrimp size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
SC state waters (cast net, no bait)	May 1 – December 15	None	48 quarts heads-on (29 quarts headed) per boat per day, or per person without a boat
SC shrimp baiting season (licensed, over bait)	September 11 – November 9	None	48 quarts heads-on (29 quarts headed) per day per set of poles

Notes

A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' userNotes. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/fishing/crustaceans-shellfish-size-catch-limits
Shrimp baiting (over bait, licensed, 10 poles): 2026 season Sept. 11 noon – Nov. 9 noon, 48 quarts whole or 29 quarts headed per day per set of poles.

Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording

Season: Open May 1 – December 15 (closed Dec. 16 – Apr. 30)
Size: None
Limit: 48 quarts whole (heads on) or 29 quarts headed per day per boat, or per person if no boat is used
SC state waters (cast net, no bait) — as printed: “Taking Shrimp Without Bait — Closed: Dec. 16 - Apr. 30. 48 quarts whole or 29 quarts headed per day (sunrise to sunrise) per boat, per person if no boat is used, or per seining party. 12 dozen dead or live shrimp allowed per boat during closed season.”

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

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About the shrimp

Species of crustacean

Litopenaeus setiferus is a species of prawn found along the Atlantic coast of North America and in the Gulf of Mexico. It was the subject of the earliest shrimp fishery in the United States.

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 Shrimp in South Carolina?

None in South Carolina state waters.

How many Shrimp can you keep per day in South Carolina?

48 quarts heads-on (29 quarts headed) per boat per day, or per person without a boat.

When is Shrimp season in South Carolina?

May 1 – December 15.

Is my Shrimp a keeper today?

Shrimp has no size limit today, with 48 quarts heads-on (29 quarts headed) per boat per day, or per person without a boat.