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Requirements Change For Saltwater Recreational Fishing
License In SC
The recent session of the South Carolina General Assembly made
changes to the Saltwater Recreational Fishing License effective July
1, 2009. License fees will not change.
The changes to the South Carolina Saltwater Recreational Fishing
License will allow better access to information about recreational
catch, which will lead to better management of South Carolina's
valuable marine resources. The changes also ensure that South
Carolina anglers will simply need to purchase a single license to
fish anywhere in both state and federal saltwaters. Revenue
generated from Saltwater Recreational Fishing License sales will be
used for the direct benefit of South Carolina's marine recreational
fisheries.
Currently a saltwater recreational fishing license is required for
people:
* Harvesting oysters or clams
* Fishing for finfish from a private boat or transporting catch in a
private boat.
The new legislation will require a saltwater recreational fishing
license for people who also:
* Recreationally fish from shore (beach, bank, private dock, free
public pier,
etc.)
* Recreationally harvest shrimp and/or crab
You may purchase a license by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a
week by calling toll free 1-866-714-3611 or by going online at:
www.dnr.sc.gov/purchase.html
There are a few exceptions that will allow people to harvest marine
resources without a saltwater recreational fishing license
including, fishing off a licensed commercial public fishing pier,
fishing off a licensed for-hire vessel (charter and headboats),
fishing with three or fewer fold-up traps, fishing with three or
fewer drop nets, fishing with three or fewer handlines with a single
bait and no hooks (chicken necking) and taking shrimp over bait
(still required to have Shrimp Baiting License).
A resident of South Carolina 64 years old or older may obtain a
statewide lifetime hunting and fishing license that includes the
privilege of saltwater fishing. A person who has been a resident of
South Carolina for at least one year and who is determined to be
totally disabled may obtain a statewide fishing and hunting license
which includes the privilege of saltwater fishing.
Saltwater Recreational Fishing License fees remain at the following:
* Annual Resident - $10
* 14-day Resident - $5
* Annual Non-Resident - $35
* 14-day Non-Resident - $11
Midlands Angler Breaks SC Bullhead
Catfish Record
An Irmo angler on the Broad River near Columbia recently
broke the South Carolina state record for bullhead catfish by more
than 3 ounces with a 6-pound, 6.3 ounce fish.
George Eleazer, from Irmo, S.C, was on the Broad River Wednesday,
April 1 when he caught the record fish. Eleazer took the fish to a
Food Lion on the Peak Exit just off I-26 north of Irmo and had the
fish weighed on state certified scales at 6-pounds, 6.3 ounces. The
bullhead catfish was certified officially as the new state record by
Hal Beard, regional fisheries biologist for the S.C. Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) in Columbia. The fish had a total length of
27 inches.
Eleazer's fish replaces the South Carolina all-tackle record
for freshwater bullhead catfish caught on the Edisto River in 1973.
Anglers who think they have a new state or world record freshwater
fish should take it as soon as possible to the nearest set of state
certified scales - such as grocery store scales. Two people at least
18 years old should witness the weighing of a potential state record
fish. The witnesses will need to sign a state affidavit form once
the angler obtains it from the DNR, so be sure to get the witnesses'
addresses and phone numbers.
f you think you've caught a state record fish, take immediate
steps to preserve the fish until a state fisheries biologist can
verify it. It can be placed on ice, but freezing is preferred.
Lightly wet the fish and wrap it in a dark, plastic bag. If
possible, take a picture of the fish while it is still fresh for
additional documentation. To record the fish officially, contact
Barbara Hasty, Freshwater Fish Records Program, Wildlife and
Freshwater Fisheries Division, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202, (803)
734-3891. Check South Carolina Freshwater Fish Records at:
www.dnr.sc.gov/fish/freshrecs/records.html
The DNR in Columbia maintains all-tackle sportfishing records
for freshwater fish and bowfishing records for a few species of
nongame freshwater fish. No records are kept for individual
line-test categories, for individual bodies of water, or for fish
caught in nongame devices. Bowfishing records are kept for three
species: common carp, bowfin and longnose gar.
Freshwater all-tackle sportfishing records are kept for 32
species: Striped Bass, White Bass, Hybrid Bass, White Perch,
Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Redeye Bass,
Bluegill (Bream), Shellcracker, Redbreast, Warmouth, Flier,
Pumpkinseed, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Brook Trout, Brown Trout,
Rainbow Trout, Sauger, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Chain Pickerel
(Jackfish), Redfin Pike, Muskellunge (Muskie), Blue Catfish,
Bullhead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, White Catfish,
Mudfish (Bowfin) and American Shad.
Fish eligible for consideration by the South Carolina
Freshwater Sportfishing Records Program must be caught by sport
means, using standard tackle or pole and line or, in the case of
bowfishing, bow and arrow. Fish caught in nets and traps or on
trotlines and set hooks will not be considered.
DNR protects and manages South Carolina's natural resources by
making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state's
natural resources and its people. Find out more about DNR at
www.dnr.sc.gov
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