Hey there, seafood lovers! I’ve been getting tons of questions about shrimping seasons in South Carolina, and today I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about when our beloved shrimp season wraps up. As a local food blogger who’s been covering SC’s seafood scene for years I’ll share the inside scoop on the 2024 season and beyond.
Quick Answer
South Carolina’s shrimp season typically ends in December or January, depending on water temperatures and shrimp populations. The exact closing date varies yearly based on SCDNR’s monitoring of shrimp development and environmental conditions.
South Carolina’s Three Main Shrimp Seasons
Let me break down our shrimping calendar for ya
-
Spring Season (April-June)
- Starts with provisional areas opening (April 19, 2024)
- Full season opening follows (June 4, 2024)
- Features valuable roe white shrimp
-
Summer Season (July-August)
- Focuses on brown shrimp
- Similar taste and size to white shrimp
- Peak harvest time
-
Fall/Winter Season (September-December/January)
- Second crop of white shrimp
- Offspring from spring spawners
- Season end varies based on conditions
What Determines When the Season Ends?
The SC Department of Natural Resources looks at several factors before calling it quits for the year
- Water temperatures (when it gets too cold, shrimp move out)
- Shrimp population surveys
- Size of remaining shrimp
- Overall harvest numbers
2024 Season Special Considerations
This year’s been a bit different, y’all. Here’s what we’ve seen:
- Later start due to moderate winter temps
- Above-average white shrimp numbers
- Strong early spawning success
- Good predictions for fall/winter harvest
Tips for Getting Your Fresh SC Shrimp
Before the season ends, here’s where you can score some local shrimp:
- Local seafood markets
- Roadside vendors
- Direct from shrimpers
- Farmers markets
Why Timing Matters for Different Shrimp Types
Let me tell ya something interesting about our local shrimp:
- White Shrimp
- Spring: Large roe shrimp
- Fall: Smaller but sweeter
- Brown Shrimp
- Mid-season catch
- Perfect for shrimp and grits
Impact on Local Economy
Our shrimping industry’s pretty important round here:
- Supports local businesses
- Provides fresh seafood to restaurants
- Maintains cultural traditions
- Creates jobs in coastal communities
Best Ways to Enjoy SC Shrimp Before Season Ends
Here’s what I recommend:
- Fall shrimp boils
- Lowcountry gumbo
- Fresh-caught cocktail shrimp
- Traditional shrimp and rice
Planning Ahead for Next Season
Even when the season ends, you can:
- Stock up and freeze
- Support local shrimpers
- Watch for next season’s dates
- Follow SCDNR announcements
Bottom Line
The end of shrimp season in South Carolina ain’t set in stone – it’s more like nature’s call than a strict calendar date. But you can usually count on things winding down sometime between December and January. Just keep an eye on those SCDNR announcements and get your fill of fresh local shrimp while you can!
Remember, y’all – supporting our local shrimping industry helps keep this wonderful tradition alive for future generations. So get out there and grab some of that sweet Carolina shrimp before the season’s over!
Would you like me to explain any part of this in more detail? Just drop a comment below!
#SouthCarolinaShrimp #LocalSeafood #Shrimping #SCFishing #SeafoodSeason
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Written by: Ian Rubin
Time to read 5 min
There’s a reason that shrimp are so highly sought after by inshore gamefish and humans alike: they’re downright delicious. These tasty crustaceans have a deep-rooted history in the Lowcountry, giving rise to generations of shrimpers and a large sector of our economic exports dedicated to shrimp. Shrimp are a staple in the local food scene and are featured in many gourmet dishes like shrimp and grits, shrimp scampi, shrimp cocktails, Lowcountry boils, and more. If you prefer to do your grocery shopping out on the beautiful local waterways, the Lowcountry’s abundant shrimp populations make it easy to fill a cooler or livewell in just a few tosses of a net. Here in South Carolina, all you’ll need to harvest shrimp legally is a valid Saltwater Recreational Fishing license. Effective shrimping is attainable for nearly everyone and does not require loads of specialized gear – just a boat, fish finder, cast net, and a cooler, and you’ll be in business!
Introducing the Frogmore Shrimp cleaner. This first-of-its-kind shrimp tool allows you to peel, devein, and butterfly shrimp in one single smooth motion. Elegantly designed and easy to use, it gives you a perfect shrimp every time.
- Point Blade Butterflies & Cleans
- Top Quality Stainless Steel
- Full Tang Construction Provides Maximum Strength
- Ergonomic Handle
1. You insert the tool right below the top of the shell.
2. Then you push the tool forward, while at the same time sliding the shrimp upwards towards the handle.
3. The entire shrimp peel will be left on the Frogmore cleaner. And the peeled, deveined, and butterflied shrimp will be left in your hand.
4. A quick rinse and youre done.
South Carolina has three species of edible shrimp: pink, white, and brown. They all have similar tastes and make excellent table fare. Shrimp have a short lifespan of about eight to nine months. Juvenile shrimp tend to reside in the tidal marshes while adult shrimp migrate into deeper waters before heading offshore to spawn. While shrimp can be caught from May to October during low tide in the marshes, this article focuses on the larger, more jumbo-sized shrimp that settle along the seafloor in inshore waters during fall months. These shrimp are targeted through a process called “Deep Hole Shrimping,” which is at its best from mid-September through late November as the water cools off.
How to Locate Eater-Size Shrimp In The Lowcountry
As cooler temperatures arrive in the Lowcountry, shrimp start heading offshore, congregating in deep holes along channels and drop-offs. Popular areas like Bulls Bay, Charleston Harbor, and Winyah Bay are teeming with shrimp during these fall months. Most steep drop-offs you are likely to hold shrimp, so if you are driving around and spot some relief on your depth finder, make a throw! When out on the water searching for shrimp, the best strategy is to explore a range of depths. Start shallower, around that 15-foot range, and work your way out to deeper water – around 30 feet. Keep an eye on your fish finder for those drop-offs and deep holes along the bottom – when the shrimp are densely gathered you will be able to see them piling up on the bottom. Don’t hesitate to make a few blind throws if the bottom contours look promising but your screen isn’t lighting up. Once you find a good pile of them, you will be able to fill the cooler in just a few throws of the net.
South Carolina’s shrimping season is fully open
FAQ
How long is shrimp season in SC?
Because of South Carolina’s location and climate, fresh prawns are available to Lowcountry locals for eight months of the year.
How long does shrimp season last?
The spring/brown shrimp season generally runs May to July. The fall/white shrimp season is generally open mid-August to mid-December; some waters stay open into January.
Where do shrimp go in the winter?
Northern shrimp appear to travel with seasonal changes in water temperature. They’re only common in nearshore waters during late winter and spring when these waters are coldest. Egg-bearing females move inshore in late fall and winter when nearshore waters have cooled.
Do you need a license to catch shrimp in South Carolina?
Saltwater Recreational Fishing License required.
What is the shrimp season in South Carolina?
South Carolina’s commercial shrimp calendar has historically had three peak periods. In the spring, shrimpers typically capitalize on the influx of roe white shrimp, large, early-season shrimp that generally fetch higher prices. The summer months are defined by a peak in brown shrimp, which are similar to white shrimp in size and taste.
When does shrimp trawling season open in South Carolina?
South Carolina’s commercial shrimp trawling season will open in all legal state waters at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025.
When does shrimp season open?
In an average year, shrimp season opens in full by late spring, typically after the opening of eight smaller provisional areas in the state’s outer waters.
When is brown shrimp season?
If there are enough eggs spawned to produce a good fall harvest, the Department of Natural Resources will open this season to commercial fishermen. Starting in early June, brown shrimp season typically lasts through August, but significant quantities have also been found in October during years when the brown shrimp population is high.
Are there shrimp in South Carolina?
In South Carolina waters, other small species of shrimp, such as grass shrimp, are easily confused with juveniles of penaeid shrimp but have no commercial or recreational value. Rock shrimp, named for their thick, hard shells, occur in South Carolina’s offshore waters and are commercially fished off Florida’s East Coast.
When do roe shrimp spawn?
The first of the three seasons is referred to as roe shrimp season. Typically beginning in May or June and lasting less than a month (depending on the harshness of the previous winter), large, white shrimp, or roe shrimp, that have recently completed the spawning process, can be found in the salty marshes along the coast.