SlotGaugeCheck a catchSpiny Lobster regulations in South Carolina
Lobsters · Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season
Spiny Lobster size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 3 inch minimum | 2 per person per day |
Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 3-inch minimum carapace
- Limit
- 2 per person per day
- SC state waters — as printed
- “Possession Limit: 2 per person per day. Size Limit: 3-inch minimum carapace. Removal of tail at sea prohibited. No harvest of berried females.”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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Open SlotGauge for Spiny LobsterAbout the spiny lobster
Species of crustacean
Panulirus argus, the Caribbean spiny lobster, is a species of spiny lobster that lives on reefs and in mangrove swamps in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Read more about Panulirus argus 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 Spiny Lobster in South Carolina?
3 inch minimum in South Carolina state waters.
How many Spiny Lobster can you keep per day in South Carolina?
2 per person per day.
When is Spiny Lobster season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Spiny Lobster a keeper today?
A spiny lobster is a keeper today if it measures at least 3 inches, with a daily limit of 2.