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.

* Commercial fisherman may retain only one Red Drum over 30 inches TL.

** It is illegal to sell cobia caught in Mississippi territorial waters or cobia landed in Mississippi.

*** As measured from the tip of one lateral spine across the back of the shell to the tip of the opposite lateral spine.

**** State possession and size limits for red snapper shall not apply to federally permitted commercial red snapper fishermen or dealers legally harvesting and/or selling red snapper harvested from federal waters only.

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.

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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .