Marine fish are species that live in saltwater environments. In South Carolina, this term applies to fish in saltwater estuaries near the Atlantic Ocean and in the ocean itself. Some of South Carolina's smaller marine fish species are spotted sea trout, Southern flounder, spot, sheepshead, red drum, black drum and Atlantic croaker. These fish are abundant and legal catches in South Carolina. The Palmetto State's waters in the Atlantic Ocean are also home to larger marine fish species such as blue marlin, Atlantic sturgeon, yellowfin tuna, monkfish, grouper and swordfish. Marine fish are able to tolerate the high levels of salinity in saltwater.
South Carolina is home to three species of catfish: white, flathead and channel. All three species are freshwater fish. These fish may be identified by their catlike whiskers, also known as barbels. A catfish's barbels allow the fish to detect food. Catfish are known as bottom-dwellers, meaning they spend most of their time at the bed of rivers and lakes looking for food. Catfish do not have scales on their bodies.
Bass are the most commonly caught fish in South Carolina. The Palmetto State is home to the calico, Guadalupe, largemouth, redeye, smallmouth, spotted and white bass; all of these species are freshwater fish. Some bass are able to live in saltwater, such as the striped bass and black sea bass. Largemouth bass are the most popular fish to catch in South Carolina, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Five trout species live in South Carolina: rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat and lake. The majority of trout fishing in South Carolina occurs in the Uplands region of the state, or the northwestern corner. The Uplands is home to Lake Jocassee, where most of the state's trout live. The mountainous terrain of the Uplands cools the water temperature in this region of the state.
Perch are part of the Percidae fish family and feature three species in South Carolina: Rio Grande, yellow perch and white perch. Yellow perch have the widest distribution range of perch in the eastern United States. Lure fishing and float fishing are the two most common ways to catch perch. Another South Carolina fish, the walleye, is a close relative of the perch since it is in the Percidae family.
While the previously mentioned fish are the most commonly caught in South Carolina, the state is home to other fish species. One of North America's largest freshwater fish, the alligator gar, is found in South Carolina. This fish can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh 200 pounds. Pickerel, salmon, sturgeon, carp, pike, lake chub, sunfish, bullhead, char and bluegill are other fish species available for fishermen in South Carolina.