Recreational Bag Limits
Regulations
For more information please read our
2009-2010 Saltwater Fishing Rules and
Regulations Guide (3.4 MB pdf)
| SPECIES | Minimum Length in Inches | Number of Fish Bag/Possession |
| Cobia | 33 FL | 2 |
| Flounder | 12 TL | 15 |
| Red Drum 1 | 18 TL to 30 TL** | 3 |
| Spotted Seatrout | 13 TL | 15 |
| King Mackerel | 24 FL | 2 |
| Spanish Mackerel | No Limit | 15 |
| Red Snapper | 16 TL | 2 |
| Vermilion Snapper | 10 TL | 20 in aggregate |
| Lane Snapper | 8 TL | |
| Gray Triggerfish | 14 TL | |
| Almaco Jack | No Limit | |
| Goldface Tilefish | No Limit | |
| Anchor Tilefish | No Limit | |
| Tilefish | No Limit | |
| Blackline Tilefish | No Limit | |
| Blueline Tilefish | No Limit | |
| Goliath Grouper (Jewfish)2 | No Take | No Take |
| Nassau Grouper2 | No Take | No Take |
| Warsaw Grouper | No Limit | 1/vessel |
| Red & Yellowfin Groupers | 20 TL | 5 in aggregate |
| Black & Gag Groupers | 22 TL | |
| Scamp | 16 TL | |
| Other Groupers | No Limit | |
| Speckled Hind | No Limit | 1/vessel |
| Gray, Schoolmaster, Cubera, Dog, Mahogany, and Yellowtail Snappers | 12 TL | 10 in aggregate |
| Mutton Snapper | 16 TL | |
| Queen, Blackfin, Silk & Wenchman Snappers | No Limit | |
| Greater Amberjack | 30 FL | 1 |
| Lesser Amberjack and Banded Rudderfish | 14 FL to 22 FL ** slot limit | 5 in aggregate |
| Hogfish | 12 TL | 5 |
| Bigeye Tuna | 27 CFL | No Limit |
| Yellowfin Tuna | 27 CFL | 3 |
| Blue Marlin | 99 lower jaw FL | No Limit |
| White Marlin | 66 lower jaw FL | No Limit |
| Sailfish | 63 lower jaw FL | No Limit |
| Longbill Spearfish | No Take | No Take |
Sharks - Large Coastals
|
37 TL | 1 up to
3/vessel Please note the 2 after the common name indicates "No Take." Possession of these species is prohibited by state ordinance and federal law. |
Sharks - Pelagic
|
37 TL
|
1 up to
3/vessel Please note the 2 after the common name indicates "No Take." Possession of these species is prohibited by state ordinance and federal law.
|
Sharks - Small Coastals
|
25 TL | 4 Please note the 2 after the common name indicates "No Take." Possession of these species is prohibited by state ordinance and federal law. |
| Crabs - Hard Shells | 5 *** | No Limit |
| Crabs - Soft Shell | No Limit | No Limit |
1 Recreational fisherman may retain only one Red Drum over 30 inches TL.
2 Possession of these species is prohibited by state ordinance and federal law.
** Range represents minimum and maximum lengths.
*** As measured from the tip of one lateral spine across the back of the shell to the tip of the opposite lateral spine.
TL = Total Length - Straight line distance from tip of snout to tip of tail.
FL = Fork Length - Straight line distance from tip of snout to fork of tail.
CFL = Curved Fork Length - Tip of the upper jaw to the fork of tail measured along the contour of the middle of the body.
Federal
Regulations May Differ from State Regulations. Please refer to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council for
Federal Regulations (888-833-1844, www.gulfcouncil.org 
NOTE: Fishing seasons for some species may be closed by order of the Commission on Marine Resources. Advance notice of such closures will be given.
Recreational fishermen not fishing in Mississippi waters may transport and land fish that meet the minimum size and creel limits of the waters in which they were legally caught. They must posses a valid saltwater sport fishing license as may be required in the waters where the fish were caught.
It shall be unlawful for recreational fishermen to sell or offer for sale any seafood caught in or landed in the State of Mississippi.
It shall be unlawful for recreational fishermen to possess fish with heads, tails or flesh removed until delivered to the final destination; however, fish may be eviscerated, scaled or have gills removed. Charter and recreational boats, fishing in the Gulf of Mexico over 24 continuous hours, may possess filleted fish in Mississippi waters, if they have filed a float plan with the DMR in advance.
The information on this page is an abstract of the rules and regulations in effect at the time of publishing. Fishermen are responsible for obeying fishing rules in full. Complete laws are available at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, 1141 Bayview Avenue, Suite 101, Biloxi, Mississippi 39530.
For more information call the DMR at (228) 374-5000 or email.