SlotGaugeCheck a catchSturgeon (Atlantic & Shortnose) regulations in South Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Sturgeon (Atlantic & Shortnose) size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| All SC waters (fresh and salt) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
Notes
- Both sturgeon species are protected — release immediately in the water where caught. Also federally listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording
- Season
- Possession prohibited
- Size
- Possession prohibited
- Limit
- Possession prohibited
- All SC waters (fresh and salt) — as printed
- “It is unlawful to buy, sell, possess or ship Shortnose Sturgeon and Atlantic Sturgeon.”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
Check your sturgeon (atlantic & shortnose) 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 Sturgeon (Atlantic & Shortnose)More
About the sturgeon
Species of fish
The shortnose sturgeon is a small and endangered species of North American sturgeon. As with most sturgeons, it is an anadromous bottom-feeder, which migrates upstream to spawn but spends most of its life feeding in rivers, deltas and estuaries.
Read more about Shortnose sturgeon 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 Sturgeon (Atlantic & Shortnose) in South Carolina?
No size limit in South Carolina state waters.
How many Sturgeon (Atlantic & Shortnose) can you keep per day in South Carolina?
Possession prohibited.
When is Sturgeon (Atlantic & Shortnose) season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Sturgeon (Atlantic & Shortnose) a keeper today?
Sturgeon (Atlantic & Shortnose) is closed to harvest. Release it.