Spotted Bass regulations in South Carolina

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Spotted Bass has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 15.

Spotted Bass size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
SC freshwater (statewide; listed lakes differ)	Open year-round	None	15 per person per day

Notes

A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' zones. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/fishing/freshwater-fish-size-possession-limits

Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: None
Limit: 15
Inland waters — as printed: “Statewide except the water bodies listed below: Spotted Bass | Any length | 15”

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

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About the spotted bass

Species of fish

The spotted bass, also called spotty, or spots in various fishing communities, is a species of North American freshwater fish belonging to the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of the order Centrarchiformes. It is noted for the rows of dark spots below the lateral line, which give it its common name. One of the black basses, it is native to the Mississippi River basin and across the Gulf states, from central Texas through the Florida panhandle. Its native range extends into the western Mid-Atlantic states and it has been introduced into western North Carolina and Virginia. It has also been introduced to southern Africa, where it has become established in some isolated waters as an invasive species.

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 Spotted Bass in South Carolina?

None in South Carolina state waters.

How many Spotted Bass can you keep per day in South Carolina?

15 per person per day.

When is Spotted Bass season in South Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my Spotted Bass a keeper today?

Spotted Bass has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 15.