Before you drop a line in Broad River (tidal) and Port Royal Sound or any other SC Lowcountry water, South Carolina law requires anyone age 16 or older to carry a valid fishing license. The good news: SC freshwater licenses are some of the most affordable in the Southeast, and buying one takes only a few minutes online or at a local retailer. This guide breaks down every fee, permit, and discount currently listed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for 2026-2027, plus the fastest way for Beaufort residents to get licensed before a trip to Broad River (tidal) and Port Royal Sound or Coosaw River.
Resident freshwater fishing license fees
South Carolina residents pay some of the lowest license fees in the country. According to SCDNR’s official resident pricing page, current freshwater fishing license costs are:
- Annual resident freshwater license: $10.00, valid one year from the date of purchase
- 3-year resident freshwater license: $30.00, valid three years from the date of purchase
- 14-day resident freshwater license: $5.00, valid for 14 consecutive days
If you also plan to fish saltwater on a coastal trip, a separate saltwater recreational fishing license is required — $15.00 annually or $10.00 for 14 days for residents, per SCDNR’s saltwater fishing FAQ.
Non-resident freshwater fishing license fees
Visiting anglers headed to Broad River (tidal) and Port Royal Sound from out of state pay more, but South Carolina’s non-resident rates remain reasonable for short trips. Per SCDNR’s non-resident pricing page:
- Annual non-resident freshwater license: $35.00
- 14-day non-resident freshwater license: $11.00
- 3-year non-resident freshwater license: $105.00
Short vacationers fishing Broad River (tidal) and Port Royal Sound or Coosaw River for a week or less will usually find the 14-day license the best value. Always confirm current pricing on the SCDNR site before you buy, since fee schedules are set by the state legislature and can change.
The combination hunting and fishing license
Many SC Lowcountry residents both hunt and fish, and SCDNR’s combination license bundles the two privileges at a discount. The annual Combination License is $25.00 and includes State Hunting, the Big Game Permit, and Freshwater Fishing, while the 3-year Combination License runs $75.00. Buying both privileges together typically saves money over purchasing a standalone hunting license and standalone fishing license separately. Full pricing and eligibility details are listed on the SCDNR resident license pricing page.
If you’re a combination-license buyer based in Beaufort, our companion guide to hunting near Beaufort covers season dates and WMA access alongside this fishing guide.
Lifetime licenses
SCDNR also sells lifetime licenses, priced by the applicant’s age at purchase. For residents ages 16 to 63, a lifetime Combination License (State Hunting, Big Game Permit, and Freshwater Fishing) costs $500.00, while a standalone lifetime Freshwater Fishing license is $300.00. Younger applicants pay less, with tiers for children under 2 and ages 2-15. Add-on saltwater fishing privileges are also available for an extra fee at each age tier. Full lifetime license details and the application form are posted on SCDNR’s pricing page.
Senior, gratis, and disabled veteran licenses
South Carolina offers meaningful discounts for older and disabled residents:
- Senior Combination or Senior Fishing License (age 64+): $9.00, covering freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, and more for residents born on or after July 1, 1940.
- Gratis (no-cost) license: Available to residents born before July 1, 1940, at no charge.
- Disability license: SC residents who have lived in the state at least 365 days and receive qualifying disability benefits — including through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, or SC Retirement System — can apply for a free three-year disability fishing or combination license. This is the pathway most disabled veterans use to fish at no cost. Residents who are certified as totally and permanently disabled with paraplegia or quadriplegia may qualify for a lifetime version. Applications are handled through SCDNR’s disability licensing office, detailed on the SCDNR disability license page.
Do you need a license? Age and youth exemptions
Children under 16 are never required to hold a fishing license in South Carolina, whether fishing freshwater or saltwater. Anyone 16 or older must carry a valid license while actively fishing public waters, including from a bank, dock, boat, or while wading. No license is required to fish in a privately-owned pond that is fully enclosed within the property and not connected to public waters.
Free fishing days
South Carolina designates specific days each year when residents may fish the state’s freshwaters without a license, under S.C. Code Section 50-9-730. These currently include Memorial Day and July 4th, though it’s worth double-checking SCDNR’s licensing announcements each year since exact dates and any additional department-sanctioned free fishing events can be adjusted. Free fishing days waive the license requirement only — size limits, bag limits, and all other regulations still apply.
WMA permits: do you need one to fish?
Hunters accessing South Carolina’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) need an annual WMA permit, currently priced at $30.50 for residents, according to SCDNR. This permit is a hunting access requirement, not a fishing requirement — anglers fishing WMA lakes and rivers from bank or boat generally do not need a WMA permit unless they are also hunting on WMA land that day. If you plan to both hunt and fish WMA property near Beaufort, budgeting for the WMA permit alongside your fishing license is worth doing in advance.
Boater education card requirement
If you’ll be running a boat on Broad River (tidal) and Port Royal Sound or Coosaw River, South Carolina’s boater education law may apply separately from your fishing license. Operators born after specific dates set by state law must complete a NASBLA-approved boater education course and carry a Boater Education Card; out-of-state visitors with a valid home-state card are generally recognized under reciprocity. Check current requirements on SCDNR’s boater education page before launching.
Buying an SC fishing license as a Beaufort resident: fastest options
Beaufort anglers have several quick ways to get licensed before a trip to Broad River (tidal) and Port Royal Sound:
- Online, anytime: The fastest option is Go Outdoors SC, SCDNR’s official licensing portal. You can buy, renew, or print a license from home in a few minutes and be on the water at Broad River (tidal) and Port Royal Sound the same day.
- Local tackle shops: Independent bait and tackle shops near Beaufort are licensed SCDNR sales agents and can issue a license on the spot — often the best choice if you also need bait, tackle, or local intel on Broad River (tidal) and Port Royal Sound conditions.
- Big-box retailers: Walmart and Bass Pro Shops locations in and around SC Lowcountry typically sell SC fishing licenses at the sporting goods counter.
- By phone or mail: SCDNR also accepts license purchases by phone and mail for those without reliable internet access; see the SCDNR licensing page for current contact details.
Whichever option you choose, keep proof of your license — digital or printed — with you while fishing. If you’re planning to hunt near Beaufort as well, the combination license is usually the better value; see our Beaufort hunting guide for season dates, and pair it with our Beaufort fishing guide for local access points on Broad River (tidal) and Port Royal Sound and Coosaw River.
Quick reference: what you’ll actually pay
For most Beaufort residents planning a season of fishing Broad River (tidal) and Port Royal Sound, the $10 annual freshwater license or $25 combination license covers everything needed for rod-and-reel fishing on public water. Non-residents visiting for a week should budget $11 for the 14-day freshwater option, or $35 for a full year if planning repeat trips to SC Lowcountry. Prices and program details can change, so always confirm current fees on SCDNR’s official pricing page before purchasing.
