June 19, 2026 — South Carolina’s planned summer pilot season for red snapper fishing in federal waters remains on hold after a federal court injunction suspended similar permits across the region, state wildlife officials said.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ (SCDNR) Exempted Fishing Permit for red snapper remains suspended because of the injunction affecting permits in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The permit would have allowed a 62-day red snapper season in federal waters off South Carolina beginning July 1.