DNR News
** Archived Article - please check for current information. **
June 26, 2012
4th of July now also marks Free Fishing Day in South Carolina
Have you ever felt the excitement of watching your bobber suddenly jiggle, then dive out of sight? Or feeling the tap-tap-tap of a bass as it tastes the worm on the end of your line? What's that? You say you never learned to fish? If you are new to the sport of fishing, and not sure if you will enjoy it, a great opportunity awaits you.
The South Carolina General Assembly recently passed a new law designating July 4th as Free Fishing Day. All South Carolina residents may fish free in freshwater on July 4 without a recreational license. Also included in the bill was free fishing on Memorial Day. All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits and gear restrictions remain in place during Free Fishing Days.
"It's a chance for families to get outdoors and experience the joys of fishing," said bill sponsor Sen. Darrell Jackson (D-Dist. 21). "And Free Fishing Days provide a great, low-cost way to give fishing a try."
So you need some instruction to land the big one? The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a series of Family Fishing Clinics around the state. The clinics are an introductory class and will teach skills on how to tie fishing knots, how to rig a rod and reel, casting and more and the best part is everyone will get to try their hand at fishing. Participants will learn how and where to fish and have someone to fish with to become confident anglers.
Family Fishing Clinics are free of charge.
The clinics are sponsored by the DNR Aquatic Education Section and are designed to introduce the basics of fishing to the young and old or those who need a refresher to the basics of fishing to increase their future participation in the sport.
Register online or for more information regarding an upcoming Family Fishing Clinic event or to host an event, please contact Lorianne Riggin, rigginl@dnr.sc.gov or (803) 737-8483.
The scheduled clinics are as follows:
The scheduled clinics are as follows:
- July 14 - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Table Rock State Park
- August 11 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Table Rock State Park
- October 13 - 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Pleasant Ridge County Park (Greenville Co.)
More News
- 4th of July now also marks Free Fishing Day in South Carolina
- DNR courtesy boating inspections set during July 4 holiday
- Deadline to apply for 2012 alligator hunting season is drawing near
- State wildlife, fisheries group meets July 11 at Table Rock State Park
- Waterfowl Advisory Committee meets July 10 in Columbia
- Alternative habitat management research conducted at Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve
- New DNR website on in-water sea turtle research activities
- DNR initiates grassland habitat restoration projects
- Feeding summer hummingbirds provides entertainment and beauty
- Commercial license needed to sell pen-reared quail
- State antler records remain at high level this year
- Gov. Haley signs new sheepshead catch, size limits regulation
- Nesting chimney swifts are source of noise now heard in fireplaces
- 2012-13 state hunting, fishing licenses now on sale
- Plant fields now for fall mourning dove hunts
- Video - Drink. Drive. Die?
- New freshwater fishing regulations scheduled for July 1, 2012
- DNR continues to add fishing clinics around the state
- Freshwater fishing trends
- Saltwater fishing trends
- S.C. weekly tidetable
- DNR video
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