Catch Restrictions
King Mackerel fishing is defined as a fishing activity in which the sole purpose is to catch King Mackerel. Catching in excess of 10 percent by weight of species other than King Mackerel while net fishing for King Mackerel is prohibited.
Mullet fishing is defined as any net-fishing activity in which 90 percent or more of the total catch by weight consists of mullet. Mullet fishing using traps, seines or nets other than cast or brill nets is not permitted within 1,200 feet of any public or hotel pier nor within 300 feet of any private pier, provided that such piers are in usable condition and extend 75 feet or more from the shoreline. Nets must not exceed 1,200 feet in length.
The commercial season will run from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 each year. Total allowable catch limits are 74,000 pounds for Flounder, 60,000 pounds for Red Drum and 50,000 pounds for Spotted Seatrout. When landing reports, as required by law, show the TAC has been reached for a given species, MDMR will, with adequate notice, issue a news release and public notice closing state waters to commercial fishing for that species for the remainder of that fishing year.
Individuals commercially harvesting Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) must possess a Spotted Seatrout endorsement ($10.00), in addition to a current applicable harvester’s license. To qualify for this endorsement, an application must be completed. The endorsement will be valid from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31 each year.
If the first half of the commercial TAC for Spotted Seatrout is not met in the first time period (Jan. 1 - May 31) the extra poundage shall be added to the second time period (June 1 - Dec. 31). However, if the 25,000-pound TAC is exceeded, the overage shall be subtracted from the second time period (June 1 - Dec. 31).
Purse seines may not be used to catch in excess of 5 percent by weight in any single set of the net, any of the following fishes:
- Bluefish
- King Mackerel
- Cobia (Ling or Lemonfish)
- Pompano
- Dolphin
- Spanish Mackerel
- Jack Crevalle
- Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout)
It also is illegal for any vessel carrying a purse seine to have on board in excess of 10 percent by weight of the total catch any of the aforementioned species.
It is further illegal for any vessel carrying a purse seine to have on board any quantity of Red Drum (Redfish).
Commercial fishermen may retain two Cobia per person for personal consumption.
It is illegal to sell Cobia caught in Mississippi territorial waters or landed in Mississippi.
