NPS Photo

REGULATIONS

• Fishing is allowed within Congaree National Park with a valid South Carolina fishing license. All South Carolina laws pertaining to licensing, size, and creel limits apply.

• Violation of the below fishing regulations could result in fines and/or seizure of fishing equipment.

Fishing Areas

• Fishing is permitted in all areas of the park except for Weston Lake (located at the end of the elevated boardwalk), due to visitor safety concerns.

• Use the service road, NOT the boardwalks, for access to fishing areas.

Watercraft

• Do not use boats propelled by inboard/outboard motors.

Bait

• To avoid introducing new, nonnative and/or potentially diseased, species to the ecosystem, please do not use minnows, amphibians or fish eggs as bait.

• To preserve this natural environment for future generations, drugs, poisons, explosives, electrical devices or similar means in order to take or attract game and/or non-game fish are NOT allowed.

• To ensure the natural condition of the park, do not dig for bait or chum for fish.

• Game fish may be used to catch game fish but must be included in South Carolina regulated daily bag limit.

Equipment

• Fish only with closely attended hook and line, fly rod, casting rod, pole and line or hand line.

• Cast nets for catching bait fish may be used.

General Rules

• To preserve the quantity and biodiversity of the fish population, only recreational fishing is allowed. Catch and release sportsmanship is encouraged.

• Please return illegal or unwanted fish carefully and immediately to the water.

• Help maintain the natural beauty and health of the park by refraining from littering.