King Mackerel (also known as Kingfish, King) in South Carolina. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit, slot rule — verified against the SCDNR guide, 2026.
In South Carolina, the minimum legal size for King Mackerel is 24 in and the daily bag limit is 3 per person per day. A slot limit applies: none (24-inch FL minimum). There is no closed season in SC.
none (24-inch FL minimum)
No closed season
none (Atlantic / South Atlantic management zone) STATE WATERS (same 24-inch FL / 3-per-day recreational limit applies in adjacent South Atlantic federal waters). For-hire vessels need a Coastal Migratory Pelagics permit to fish for this species in federal waters.
These limits are pulled from the SCDNR saltwater size and catch limits. Last verified June 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
South Carolina requires a Saltwater Recreational Fishing License for anyone aged 16 or older harvesting marine resources. SC saltwater licences.
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