Fresh Water Fishing

While it might seem that the creeks on Hilton Head are fresh water, they are not.

They are actually estuaries with no significant source of fresh water. Estuaries are tidal and the water in them is ocean water. There are some lakes and lagoons that hold fresh water - or brackish water. Most of these are part of the storm water drainage system and therefore hold rain water runoff. Some lagoons are likewise fresh water, but some are tidal and so contain salt water. Observe a lagoon you would like to fish - if the water level changes significantly over a period of a few hours, it's tidal.

To go fresh water fishing outside of the plantations or other private property any one over 16 years old needs a State fishing license. There are not many such places on Hilton Head - Jarvis Creek Park comes to mind.

In the plantations, which the State classifies as private property, you need no State license but are subject to the rules of the plantation.

Sea Pines: You must be a resident or guest and you need a permit from CSA, available at the security office. They will ask you to prove you are a resident or guest.