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Common Sharks in Mississippi Waters

Last Updated: April 27, 2026

Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas
Illustration of a bull shark with a stout body, blunt snout, gray upper body, and pale underside, showing its powerful build and broad fins.
Bull shark illustration highlighting its stocky shape and blunt snout, a coastal species known for inhabiting both saltwater and freshwater environments.

One of the largest sharks commonly found in inshore waters, it can reach lengths greater than 10 feet and is one of the few sharks that regularly move into fresh water. The most distinguishing characteristic of this shark is its large robust body. This shark is also characterized by a short snout that is blunt and rounded.

Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna
Illustration of a spinner shark showing a slender body, pointed snout, gray-brown back, lighter underside, and long tail fin.
Spinner shark illustration highlighting its streamlined shape and distinctive features, a fast-swimming species commonly found in warm coastal waters.

The Spinner Shark gets its name from a behavior where it leaps out of the water and spins in midair. It is very similar to the Blacktip Shark, but all its fins are black-tipped, including the anal fin. It can reach lengths up to 9 feet and is extremely active when hooked.

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Illustration of an Atlantic sharpnose shark with a slender body, pointed snout, gray back, white underside, and small white spots along its sides.
Atlantic sharpnose shark illustration showing its slim profile and white-spotted sides, a common small shark species found in coastal Gulf waters.

The most common shark in Mississippi coastal waters, this shark rarely exceeds 4 feet in length. It is characterized by a slender build and white blotches on the body. The origin of the second dorsal fin is about mid-base of the anal fin. These sharks are also called “Wormies” by coastal fishermen.

Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus
Illustration of a blacktip shark with a streamlined body, pointed snout, bronze-gray back, white underside, and distinctive black tips on its fins.
Blacktip shark illustration highlighting its sleek shape and black-tipped fins, a fast and commonly encountered species in warm coastal Gulf waters.

As the name indicates, this shark’s fins are tipped in black except for the anal fin. It is a medium-size shark, but can reach lengths of 9 feet. This shark is very active when hooked and will jump out of the water.


Illustrations © 1992, Diane Rome Peebles

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