South Carolina prices its saltwater licence at fifteen dollars for a resident and seventy-five for a visitor, the widest resident-to-visitor gap of any saltwater licence we have verified. There is no combined recreational option either, so an angler working Santee in the morning and the Charleston jetties in the evening is buying two licences, not one.
What it costs
Set your situation for the exact saltwater figure. Switching to fresh water here shows what the other licence would cost instead.
Every South Carolina saltwater fee
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saltwater, one day | Visitor | 1 day | $10.00 |
| Saltwater, seven days | Visitor | 7 days | $35.00 |
| Saltwater, 14 days | Resident | 14 days | $10.00 |
| Saltwater, annual | Resident | Annual | $15.00 |
| Saltwater, annual | Visitor | Annual | $75.00 |
| Disability, fresh and salt | Resident | 3 years | Free |
| Saltwater, three years | Resident | 3 years | $45.00 |
Fees verified against SCDNR on 2026-09-11.
What it covers, and what it does not
The saltwater licence covers the state’s coastal waters. It does not cover the freshwater lakes and rivers, and South Carolina sells no recreational combination, so the two licences are genuinely separate purchases. Shrimp baiting is a separate seasonal licence again.
For the freshwater side of the state, and for the combination options where they exist, see the full South Carolina licence page.
Where to use it
We track 3 saltwater waters in South Carolina daily, with live tides and conditions:
- Myrtle Beach — Horry County
- Charleston — Charleston County
- Murrells Inlet — Georgetown County
Questions
How much is a saltwater fishing licence in South Carolina?
$15.00 for a resident and $75.00 for a visitor, for an annual licence. Short-term options cost less and are listed in the table above.
Does a South Carolina freshwater licence cover salt water?
No. South Carolina sells them as separate licences, so a freshwater licence gives you no cover on the coast. Fishing both means two licences, or the combined option where the state offers one.
Why do visitors pay so much more for a South Carolina saltwater licence?
$75.00 against $15.00 for a resident is the widest gap of any saltwater licence we have checked. The short-term options are far better value: $35.00 for seven days, $10.00 for one.
Is there a combined fresh and saltwater licence in South Carolina?
No recreational one. The Combination and Sportsman licences bundle hunting with freshwater only, never the salt.