SlotGaugeCheck a catchWhite Marlin regulations in South Carolina
Billfish · Saltwater · 2026 season
White Marlin size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state & federal waters (HMS permit required) | Open year-round | 66 inch minimum | No bag limit printed; federal HMS rules apply |
Notes
- Rod & reel only. Federal HMS permit required.
- Report any landed billfish to NMFS within 24 hours. Released billfish stay in the water.
Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording
- Season
- Open year-round (no closed season printed)
- Size
- 66-inch FL from lower jaw
- Limit
- No bag limit printed (federal HMS rules apply)
- SC state & federal waters (HMS permit required) — as printed
- “White Marlin | | | 66-inch FL from lower jaw | May only be taken by rod & reel.”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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About the white marlin
Species of fish
The white marlin, also known as Atlantic white marlin, marlin, skilligalee, is a species of billfish that lives in the epipelagic zone of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean. They are found between the latitudes of 45° N and 45° S in waters deeper than 100 m (330 ft). Even though white marlin are found in bodies of water that are deeper than 100 m they tend to stay near the surface. White marlin have been found near banks, shoals, and canyons, but they are not limited to those locations. They prefer warm surface temperatures greater than 22 °C (72 °F).
Read more about White marlin 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 White Marlin in South Carolina?
66 inch minimum in South Carolina state waters.
How many White Marlin can you keep per day in South Carolina?
No bag limit printed; federal HMS rules apply.
When is White Marlin season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my White Marlin a keeper today?
A white marlin is a keeper today if it measures at least 66 inches, with No bag limit printed; federal HMS rules apply.