Bowfishing Laws in South Carolina: What You Need to Know Before You Shoot

Bowfishing in South Carolina puts you on some of the most productive freshwater in the Southeast — from the massive Santee Cooper lakes to the slow, dark-water rivers of the Lowcountry. The Palmetto State welcomes bowfishers, but the rules around which fish you can shoot, where you can shoot them, and what gear is legal are specific enough that a little preparation goes a long way.

Before you rig your bow and hit the water, you need to understand how South Carolina classifies fish, where archery equipment is and is not permitted, and what a standard recreational fishing license covers. This guide walks through every major rule category so you can fish with confidence.

Important Note: The 2025–2026 South Carolina Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide took effect August 14, 2025, and runs through August 14, 2026. Always confirm current rules directly with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) before heading out, as emergency regulations can change between publication cycles.

Is Bowfishing Legal in South Carolina?

Yes — bowfishing is fully legal in South Carolina. South Carolina allows bowfishing year-round on all freshwater except SCDNR Managed State Lakes. That open season and broad geographic access make South Carolina one of the more bowfisher-friendly states on the East Coast.

The activity falls under the state’s nongame fishing framework. Archery equipment is one of the lawful nongame fishing devices and methods that may be used for taking nongame fish in the freshwaters of the state, but only in those waters in which these devices and methods are authorized. The key phrase there is “nongame fish” — that distinction shapes every other rule you need to follow.

South Carolina’s bowfishing regulations are governed by Title 50 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which covers the state’s fish, game, and watercraft laws. If you want to read the exact statutory language, the South Carolina Legislature’s official website publishes the full unannotated code.

If you also enjoy traditional hunting in the state, the rules around bow hunting in South Carolina follow a separate set of regulations under the hunting framework rather than the nongame fishing rules that govern bowfishing.

What Fish Can You Bowfish for in South Carolina?

Freshwater nongame fish are any freshwater fish species not classified as game fish. In practical terms, that covers a wide range of species that bowfishers actively target across the state’s rivers, reservoirs, and backwaters.

Common legal targets in South Carolina include:

• Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) — the most popular bowfishing target statewide, found in virtually every major reservoir and river system
• Longnose gar and other gar species — recognized by their elongated bodies and sharp teeth, common in Lowcountry rivers
• Bowfin (mudfish) — a native predator found in slow, weedy water throughout the coastal plain
• Buffalo fish — bigmouth and smallmouth buffalo are taken regularly in the Pee Dee and Santee drainages
• Suckers — several sucker species inhabit South Carolina rivers and are legal to shoot
• Freshwater drum — found in larger rivers and reservoirs

Bowfishing is legal for nongame fish species such as carp and gar, but NOT for game fish like bass, trout, or saltwater game species. Game fish in South Carolina include largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, bream, and trout — none of which may be taken with a bow under any circumstances.

Game fish must be immediately released if caught by net or trap or any other device used for catching nongame fish. The same principle applies to bowfishing: if you accidentally shoot a game fish, you have violated state law. Species identification before you shoot is not optional — it is a legal requirement.

Pro Tip: Blue catfish carry a special possession rule. On all waters of the state, only 2 blue catfish over 32 inches may be kept, with a possession limit of 25 per person per day. Confirm whether catfish are classified as nongame on the specific water you plan to fish before targeting them with a bow.

Bowfishing License Requirements in South Carolina

South Carolina keeps the licensing requirement for bowfishing straightforward. Archery equipment may be used on all freshwater except SCDNR Managed State Lakes, and a recreational fishing license is required — unless you are selling your catch, in which case a commercial license is needed. There is no closed season.

All anglers 16 years and older must possess a valid South Carolina fishing license, unless fishing on designated free fishing days. Anglers under 16 are not exempt from all rules — nongame fishing permits and tags are required, in addition to a valid South Carolina recreational fishing license, and this also applies to youth under 16 when using certain devices. For basic bowfishing with archery equipment, however, no additional nongame permit or tag is required beyond the standard fishing license.

With a valid South Carolina fishing license and no additional tags or permits, archery equipment may be used in freshwaters except in Game Zone 1 and lakes owned or managed by the DNR to take nongame fish. This requirement applies to all freshwaters of the state inland of the saltwater-freshwater dividing lines, except privately-owned ponds.

Angler Type	License Required	Additional Permit Needed?
Recreational bowfisher (age 16+)	SC Recreational Fishing License	No — archery equipment is covered
Recreational bowfisher (under 16)	SC Fishing License (for some devices)	Check specific device rules with SCDNR
Selling your bowfished catch	SC Commercial Fishing License	Separate commercial license required
Private pond (not state-managed)	No license required	No

You can purchase a South Carolina fishing license online through the SCDNR fishing regulations portal. Licenses and any required nongame tags are also available at regional SCDNR offices. Tags, permits, and commercial freshwater fishing licenses are available by visiting any regional SCDNR office, through the internet, or by writing to SCDNR-License Section, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202-0167, or calling 803-734-3833.

For a broader look at how South Carolina structures its outdoor activity permits, the rules around hunting laws in South Carolina provide useful context on how the state separates recreational and commercial licensing across different activities.

Legal Bowfishing Equipment in South Carolina

South Carolina defines archery equipment broadly, which gives bowfishers good flexibility in their gear choices. Under the state code, “archery equipment” means a bow and arrow, long bow, recurve bow, compound bow, or crossbow. All four bow types are legal for bowfishing in the state.

Beyond the bow itself, standard bowfishing setups — including bowfishing reels, arrow rests, and barbed bowfishing arrows — are permitted as part of legal archery equipment use. Legal bowfishing is restricted to any bow including a crossbow, and devices that permit a bow to be held mechanically at full or partial draw are also permitted.

A few equipment rules apply regardless of what bow you use:

• You may not use explosives, electrical devices, or poison to take nongame fish — these are explicitly banned under state law
• Your arrow must be attached to a line (this is standard bowfishing practice and required to retrieve your fish)
• Lights and elevated shooting platforms on bowfishing boats are common and not prohibited by state law, though watercraft rules still apply

It is unlawful to use, place, set, or fish a device so as to constitute a hazard to boating or public safety. When bowfishing from a boat — especially at night with elevated platforms and bright lights — be aware of other watercraft and maintain safe shooting angles at all times.

Pro Tip: If you plan to sell your bowfished catch, your licensing changes. A recreational fishing license covers personal bowfishing, but if you are selling your catch, a commercial license is required. Selling nongame fish without a commercial license is a violation of state law.

Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in South Carolina

South Carolina has extensive public freshwater that is open to bowfishing, but the state draws a firm line around SCDNR-managed lakes and Game Zone 1 waters. Archery equipment, cast nets, crayfish traps, gigs, hand grabbing, landing nets (dip nets), minnow seines, minnow traps, and spears may be used in freshwaters, except in lakes owned or managed by the department and the freshwaters of the state in Game Zone 1, to take nongame fish except for species-specific restrictions.

No nongame fishing devices of any kind may be used in SCDNR State Managed Lakes. This is a hard prohibition — archery equipment is a nongame fishing device, so bowfishing is not permitted on any lake that SCDNR owns or manages. Check the SCDNR website or the current regulations guide to confirm the status of any specific lake before you go.

Where you can bowfish includes:

• Major public rivers — the Edisto, Black, Pee Dee, Waccamaw, Congaree, Wateree, and Santee systems are popular choices
• Large public reservoirs not managed as SCDNR State Managed Lakes — including portions of Santee Cooper (Lakes Marion and Moultrie), Lake Murray, and Lake Hartwell
• Privately owned ponds — no fishing license is required on private ponds, and nongame fish may be taken freely by the landowner or with permission
• Tidal creeks and coastal waters — subject to separate saltwater rules (see below)

Many public lakes managed by SCDNR have special regulations to protect and enhance fish populations — always check posted signs and the current regulations book before fishing. Water-body-specific rules can restrict devices, seasons, or species even on waters that are otherwise open to bowfishing.

South Carolina also has a detailed set of location-specific nongame device limits that spell out exactly which devices are permitted on named rivers and lakes. Some devices are not permitted on certain waters — see the Nongame Device Limits by Location table in the official regulations guide.

If you are curious how South Carolina handles other animal-related regulations tied to specific locations and land use, the rules around kennel zoning laws in South Carolina illustrate how the state uses geographic boundaries to regulate activities.

Night Bowfishing Rules in South Carolina

Night bowfishing is one of the most effective ways to target carp and gar in South Carolina’s shallow flats and river backwaters, and the state does not impose a statewide ban on it. Night fishing is permitted on most public waters unless specifically restricted. Since bowfishing is treated as a nongame fishing method, the same general permission applies.

There is no closed season for bowfishing with archery equipment in South Carolina. That means you can bowfish day or night, year-round, on permitted waters without needing a special night-fishing permit or additional authorization beyond your standard recreational fishing license.

South Carolina law defines nighttime precisely for regulatory purposes. “Night” means one-half hour after official sunset of one day to one-half hour before official sunrise the following day. This definition matters if any water-specific regulations reference nighttime restrictions, so keep it in mind when checking rules for a specific location.

Practical considerations for night bowfishing in South Carolina:

• Lighting: Elevated platforms with bright LED lights are standard and legal on bowfishing boats. Lights must not create a hazard to other watercraft navigating the same water.
• Navigation lights: Any vessel underway at night must comply with USCG navigation light requirements regardless of the fishing activity on board.
• Water-specific restrictions: Some managed areas or wildlife refuges may restrict nighttime access entirely — check before you go.
• Species identification: Shooting in the dark increases the risk of misidentifying a game fish. Use adequate lighting and take a clear look before releasing your arrow.

Pro Tip: Red drum are closed to gigging from December 1 through February 28 in South Carolina coastal waters. Red drum are open year-round but closed to gigging December 1 through February 28. While bowfishing and gigging are distinct methods, this seasonal protection signals that SCDNR actively restricts archery-style harvest of certain coastal species — always verify before targeting any inshore fish at night.

Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in South Carolina

South Carolina’s saltwater bowfishing landscape is different from freshwater, and the rules are less permissive. The nongame fishing framework that makes freshwater bowfishing relatively open does not extend into saltwater in the same way. Bowfishing is legal for nongame fish species such as carp and gar, but NOT for game fish like bass, trout, or saltwater game species.

The state’s coastal waters hold species that attract bowfishers — including rays, sheepshead, and rough fish in tidal creeks — but most of the sought-after inshore species like red drum, flounder, and speckled trout are classified as game fish and are off-limits to bowfishing. South Carolina’s fishing regulations apply to state waters only, and beyond 3 miles offshore, federal regulations remain in place and may differ from state regulations.

Key points for saltwater bowfishing in South Carolina:

• A saltwater recreational fishing license is required for any fishing in tidal or saltwater areas
• Rays (including cownose rays and Atlantic stingrays) are a popular saltwater bowfishing target and are generally not classified as game fish — but confirm current status with SCDNR before targeting them
• Sheepshead, red drum, flounder, speckled trout, and other designated game species cannot be taken with a bow under any circumstances
• The saltwater-freshwater dividing line determines which license and ruleset applies — SCDNR publishes this line on its website and in the regulations guide
• Tidal creeks that fall on the freshwater side of the dividing line are governed by freshwater nongame rules, not saltwater rules

Property-specific regulations can change due to emergency regulations, and such changes will be publicized on the SCDNR website as any new emergency legislation is passed. This is especially relevant in coastal areas where fish populations and management priorities shift more frequently than in inland freshwater.

For more context on South Carolina’s approach to coastal and waterfowl regulations, the rules around duck hunting laws in South Carolina show how the state layers state and federal authority over the same coastal habitats where saltwater bowfishers operate.

If you bowfish across state lines, the bowfishing laws in North Carolina follow a similar nongame-only framework but have their own specific species lists and location restrictions worth reviewing before you cross the border.

South Carolina’s bowfishing rules reward anglers who do a little homework. The open season, broad equipment permissions, and minimal licensing requirements make it one of the easier states to get started in — as long as you stay on the right side of the game fish line and avoid the restricted waters. When in doubt, contact SCDNR directly at dnr.sc.gov or call 803-734-4DNR before your trip.