It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, barter, traffic in, or purchase any fish classified as a game fish under the provisions of this title taken from the freshwaters of this State except as allowed by this title. A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows: (1) for a first offense, by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days; (2) for a second offense within three years of a first offense, by a fine of not less than three hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days; (3) for a third or subsequent offense within three years of a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days; (4) for a fourth and subsequent offense within five years of the date of conviction for the first offense must be punished as provided for a third offense. HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 28-691; 1952 Code Section 28-691; 1942 Code Section 1773-2; 1939 (41) 353; 1952 (47) 2179; 1955 (49) 478; 1959 (51) 346; 1974 (58) 2800; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1263; 2003 Act No. 1962 Code Section 28-691; 1952 Code Section 28-691; 1942 Code Section 1773-2; 1939 (41) 353; 1952 (47) 2179; 1955 (49) 478; 1959 (51) 346; 1974 (58) 2800; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1263; 2003 Act No. 60, Section 5; 2012 Act No. 114, Section 5, eff July 1, 2012; 2022 Act No. 137 (H.4907), Section 11, eff April 11, 2022.
South Carolina Legal Code