CHUM Get the app

Species · Lookalikes

Gulf KingfishorSouthern Kingfish

Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.

Studio photograph of a Gulf Kingfish (Menticirrhus littoralis), side view, on a white background
Gulf KingfishMenticirrhus littoralis
Studio photograph of a Southern Kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus), side view, on a white background
Southern KingfishMenticirrhus americanus

Rules for both fish from 2 state rulebooks, checked Oct 29, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell them apart

Gulf Kingfish

The palest kingfish — plain silver with a dusky tail tip and chin barbel; lives in the wash.

Southern Kingfish

Chin barbel, no air bladder croaks here — the surf 'sea mullet'.

Southern kingfish, next to Gulf kingfish: gray-barred, not plain silver.

Side by side

Gulf KingfishSouthern Kingfish
Scientific nameMenticirrhus littoralisMenticirrhus americanus
Also calledWhiting, Gulf whiting—
WatersInshoreInshore
Heaviest state record4 lb · Delaware (1973)4 lb · Delaware (1973)
On the tableVery good — classic surf panfish.Very good surf panfish.
Rules of its own in2 states2 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

Where either fish has a rule, the two are regulated the same. The name still goes in the log and on the tally.

StateGulf Kingfish: size · bag · seasonSouthern Kingfish: size · bag · season
MississippiNo size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked
South CarolinaNo size limit50/day aggregateOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked No size limit50/day aggregateOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked

In the app

Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, Gulf kingfish or southern kingfish, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.

Get the app

Questions anglers ask

How do you tell Gulf kingfish from southern kingfish?

Gulf Kingfish: The palest kingfish — plain silver with a dusky tail tip and chin barbel; lives in the wash. Southern Kingfish: Chin barbel, no air bladder croaks here — the surf 'sea mullet'. Southern kingfish, next to Gulf kingfish: gray-barred, not plain silver.

Which gets bigger, Gulf kingfish or southern kingfish?

Gulf Kingfish. The heaviest state record we hold is 4 lb in Delaware; the heaviest southern kingfish record is 4 lb in Delaware.

Which is better to eat, Gulf kingfish or southern kingfish?

Gulf Kingfish: Very good — classic surf panfish. Southern Kingfish: Very good surf panfish.

Do Gulf kingfish and southern kingfish have the same limits?

Yes, in every state that regulates either one. The table on this page lists each rule with its source and check date.