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Port Royal Sound

  • Saltwater
  • Sound
Sq. miles
38
Boat Ramps
4
Access Points
1
Species
25

Port Royal Sound is one of the East Coast's deepest natural harbors, a magnificent estuarine complex where the Broad, Beaufort, and Chechessee Rivers converge before meeting the Atlantic Ocean. This expansive Lowcountry estuary, characterized by vast marshes, winding tidal creeks, oyster beds, and grass flats, offers an incredibly rich and diverse fishery. The area provides a quiet, unhurried atmosphere with over 234,000 acres of fishable waters, making it a premier destination for inshore and nearshore angling. The rhythm of the tides dictates the fishing, flushing bait in and out of the intricate network of creeks and creating dynamic feeding opportunities for a wide array of gamefish.

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Port Royal Sound. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Charles C. Haigh, Jr. Pier Access

Charles C. Haigh, Jr. Pier Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Port Royal Sound

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

South Carolina licenses and regulations

South Carolina Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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South Carolina Coastal & Inland Waters

South Carolina coastal rules cover waters from the saltwater-freshwater dividing line out to the 3-mile state limit, and your Saltwater Recreational Fishing License applies throughout that zone. Beyond 3 miles, federal waters begin and extend to 200 miles offshore. SCDNR publishes the official freshwater-saltwater dividing line so you know exactly which licence and rules apply where you are fishing.

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South Carolina Federal Waters & Offshore Rules

Once you cross into federal waters beyond the 3-mile state limit, NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council set the rules under 50 CFR 622. No additional federal recreational fishing licence is required to fish in federal waters, but species such as tuna, billfish, sharks, and swordfish are managed as Atlantic Highly Migratory Species by NOAA Fisheries, and for-hire vessels targeting those species must carry a federal HMS permit. Regulations in federal waters change regularly and can close when annual catch limits are reached.

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South Carolina Saltwater Fishing License

Anyone 16 or older harvesting marine finfish, shrimp, oysters, clams, or crabs in South Carolina salt water must have a Saltwater Recreational Fishing License, issued by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. You are exempt if you are fishing from a licensed public fishing pier, fishing aboard a licensed charter or headboat while under hire, or using three or fewer drop nets, fold-up traps, or handlines for crabbing. Fishing piers and charter vessels that charge a fee must hold their own separate SCDNR license.

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South Carolina Saltwater Size & Bag Limits

Size and bag limits apply to every saltwater species and can change during the year, with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources setting the rules. Headline species with active limits include red drum, spotted seatrout, cobia, flounder, and striped bass. The current size and catch limit table is maintained by SCDNR and kept up to date at the link below.

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South Carolina Shellfish Closures & Advisories

Harvesting oysters, clams, or crabs recreationally in South Carolina salt water requires a Saltwater Recreational Fishing License from SCDNR, with a limited exception for three or fewer handlines or drop nets used for crabbing. Shellfish harvest areas open and close based on water quality, rainfall, and biotoxin or red tide conditions, and those closures can change quickly. Current shellfish ground status and harvesting regulations are posted by SCDNR at the link below.

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Take Port Royal Sound with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

  • Use the map without signal

    Download the map around Port Royal Sound to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Port Royal Sound to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)

On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Port Royal Sound and check the marine forecast before you launch.

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