Mississippi
saltwater rules
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources sets the rules inside Mississippi’s state waters, out to 3 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council writes the federal rules.
-
Albacore
Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga
Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Mississippi lists none of its own.
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked
-
Almaco Jack
Almaco Seriola rivoliana
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No individual limit (within 20-reef-fish aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
No individual limit; counts toward the 20-reef-fish aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus thynnus
Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Mississippi lists none of its own.
- Size
- 27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73"
- Bag
- Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026
- Season
- Open under in-season limits
Open
HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked
-
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
- Size
- 25 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 4 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Atlantic Sturgeon
Acipenser oxyrinchus
Federal rule (federal Atlantic). Mississippi lists none of its own.
- Size
- —
- Bag
- No harvest or possession
- Season
- Prohibited
Put it back
Federally endangered — all harvest and possession prohibited coastwide. Release in the water.
NOAA Fisheries · checked
-
Banded Rudderfish
Seriola zonata
- Size
- 14–22 in fork length slot
- Bag
- 5 per person per day (combined with Lesser Amberjack)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
- Size
- 27 in curved fork length minimum
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Federally regulated (HMS); federal permits apply.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Black Drum
Drum Pogonias cromis
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Explicitly listed by MS DMR with no size or bag limit.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Black Grouper
Mycteroperca bonaci
- Size
- 24 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 4 per person per day (grouper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Blackfin Snapper
Lutjanus buccanella
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No individual limit (within 10-snapper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
No individual limit; counts toward the 10-snapper aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Blacknose Shark
Carcharhinus acronotus
- Size
- 25 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 4 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Blue Marlin
Makaira nigricans
- Size
- 99 in lower jaw fork length minimum
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Federally regulated (HMS); federal landing rules apply.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Blue Shark
Blue dog Prionace glauca
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Blueline Tilefish
Caulolatilus microps
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No individual limit (within 20-reef-fish aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
No individual limit; counts toward the 20-reef-fish aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark
Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus
- Size
- No take
- Bag
- No take
- Season
- Closed year-round
Put it back
Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Bonnethead
Sphyrna tiburo
- Size
- 25 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 4 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Bull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Caribbean Reef Shark
Carcharhinus perezii
- Size
- No take
- Bag
- No take
- Season
- Closed year-round
Put it back
On the MS prohibited shark list.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Cobia
Ling, Lemonfish Rachycentron canadum
- Size
- 36 in fork length minimum
- Bag
- 2 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Common Thresher
Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Listed as Thresher.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Cubera Snapper
Lutjanus cyanopterus
- Size
- 12 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 10 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Dog Snapper
Dogtooth snapper Lutjanus jocu
- Size
- 12 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 10 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Dusky Shark
Carcharhinus obscurus
- Size
- No take
- Bag
- No take
- Season
- Closed year-round
Put it back
On the MS prohibited shark list.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Finetooth Shark
Carcharhinus isodon
- Size
- 25 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 4 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Florida Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Explicitly listed by MS DMR with no size or bag limit.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Gag Grouper
Gray grouper Mycteroperca microlepis
- Size
- 24 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 2 per person
- Season
- Sep 1 – Sep 30, 2026
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Galapagos Shark
Carcharhinus galapagensis
- Size
- No take
- Bag
- No take
- Season
- Closed year-round
Put it back
Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Golden Tilefish
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No individual limit (within 20-reef-fish aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Listed as Tilefish; counts toward the 20-reef-fish aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Goliath Grouper
Epinephelus itajara
- Size
- No take
- Bag
- No take
- Season
- Closed year-round
Put it back
Harvest and possession prohibited.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Gray Triggerfish
Trigger Balistes capriscus
- Size
- 15 in fork length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person
- Season
- Open Aug 1 – Dec 31, 2026
Open
An earlier 2026 window may have preceded the Aug 1 reopening announced by MS DMR
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Great Hammerhead
Sphyrna mokarran
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Great White Shark
White shark Carcharodon carcharias
- Size
- No take
- Bag
- No take
- Season
- Closed year-round
Put it back
On the MS prohibited shark list.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Greater Amberjack
AJ, Reef donkey Seriola dumerili
- Size
- 34 in fork length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person
- Season
- Sep 1 – Oct 13, 2026
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Gulf Flounder
Paralichthys albigutta
- Size
- 12 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 10 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS lists 'Flounder' as a group; limit applies to all flounders combined.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Gulf Kingfish
Whiting, Gulf whiting Menticirrhus littoralis
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Listed under Kingfish (Ground Mullet) with no size or bag limit.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Hogfish
Hog snapper Lachnolaimus maximus
- Size
- 14 in fork length minimum
- Bag
- 5 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
King Mackerel
King, Kingfish, Smoker Scomberomorus cavalla
- Size
- 24 in fork length minimum
- Bag
- 3 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Federally regulated; federal rules apply beyond state waters.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Lane Snapper
Lutjanus synagris
- Size
- 8 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 20 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Lemon Shark
Negaprion brevirostris
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Lesser Amberjack
Seriola fasciata
- Size
- 14–22 in fork length slot
- Bag
- 5 per person per day (combined with Banded Rudderfish)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Mahi-Mahi
Dolphin, Dorado Coryphaena hippurus
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Listed as Dolphin with no size or bag limit.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Mahogany Snapper
Ojanco Lutjanus mahogoni
- Size
- 12 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 10 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Mangrove Snapper
Gray snapper, Mango Lutjanus griseus
- Size
- 12 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 10 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Listed as Gray Snapper; counts toward the 10-snapper aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Marbled Grouper
Sicklefish grouper Dermatolepis inermis
Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Mississippi lists none of its own.
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- See note
- Season
- Year-round
Check
Not named in the snapper-grouper rules we track; grouper aggregate rules may apply. Check before keeping one — a rare, slow-growing species.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked · likely
-
Mutton Snapper
Lutjanus analis
- Size
- 18 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 5 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Nassau Grouper
Epinephelus striatus
- Size
- No take
- Bag
- No take
- Season
- Closed year-round
Put it back
Harvest and possession prohibited.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Northern Kingfish
Sea mullet, Whiting, Roundhead Menticirrhus saxatilis
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Covered by the Kingfish (Ground Mullet) group listing; no size or bag limit.
MS DMR 2026 · checked · likely
-
Nurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus
- Size
- No take
- Bag
- See note
- Season
- Closed year-round
Check
MS DMR's list still shows oceanic whitetip as a pelagic shark, while federal HMS rules prohibit it everywhere; treat it as prohibited and release.
MS DMR 2026 · checked · likely
-
Porbeagle
Lamna nasus
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Queen Snapper
Etelis oculatus
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No individual limit (within 10-snapper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
No individual limit; counts toward the 10-snapper aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Red Drum
Redfish, Puppy drum, Channel bass, Spottail bass Sciaenops ocellatus
- Size
- 18–30 in total length slot
- Bag
- 3 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
One fish over 30 in may be kept per day.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Red Grouper
Epinephelus morio
- Size
- 20 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 4 per person per day (grouper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Red Hind
Epinephelus guttatus
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No individual limit (within 4-grouper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
No individual limit; counts toward the 4-grouper aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Red Snapper
Genuine red, American red Lutjanus campechanus
- Size
- 16 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 2 per person
- Season
- May 22 – Jul 5, reopening Sep 4–7, 2026; weekends after if quota remains
Closed
MS-ROLP permit required; season may extend weekends-only after Sep 7 if quota remains
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Rock Hind
Epinephelus adscensionis
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No individual limit (within 4-grouper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
No individual limit; counts toward the 4-grouper aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus
- Size
- 63 in lower jaw fork length minimum
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Federally regulated (HMS); federal landing rules apply.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Sand Seatrout
White trout, Sand trout Cynoscion arenarius
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Listed as Sand Seatrout (White Trout) with no size or bag limit.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Sand Tiger
Carcharias taurus
- Size
- No take
- Bag
- No take
- Season
- Closed year-round
Put it back
On the MS prohibited shark list.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Sandbar Shark
Carcharhinus plumbeus
- Size
- No take
- Bag
- No take
- Season
- Closed year-round
Put it back
On the MS prohibited shark list.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Scalloped Hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Scamp Grouper
Broomtail Mycteroperca phenax
- Size
- 16 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 4 per person per day (grouper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Schoolmaster Snapper
Lutjanus apodus
- Size
- 12 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 10 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Sheepshead
Convict fish Archosargus probatocephalus
- Size
- 14 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 15 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Shortfin Mako
Isurus oxyrinchus
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
On MS allowed list, but retention is prohibited under federal HMS rules; verify before keeping.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Silk Snapper
Lutjanus vivanus
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No individual limit (within 10-snapper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
No individual limit; counts toward the 10-snapper aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Silky Shark
Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis
- Size
- No take
- Bag
- No take
- Season
- Closed year-round
Put it back
Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Skipjack Tuna
Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis
Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Mississippi lists none of its own.
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked
-
Smooth Dogfish
Mustelus canis
Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Mississippi lists none of its own.
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No federal recreational limit
- Season
- Year-round
Open
Smoothhound group — no federal size or bag limit; state rules may be stricter.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked
-
Smooth Hammerhead
Sphyrna zygaena
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Snowy Grouper
Hyporthodus niveatus
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No individual limit (within 4-grouper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
No individual limit; counts toward the 4-grouper aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Southern Flounder
Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma
- Size
- 12 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 10 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS lists 'Flounder' as a group; limit applies to all flounders combined.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Southern Kingfish
Menticirrhus americanus
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Listed under Kingfish (Ground Mullet) with no size or bag limit.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus
- Size
- 12 in fork length minimum
- Bag
- 15 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Federally regulated; federal rules apply beyond state waters.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Speckled Hind
Hyporthodus drummondhayi
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- 1 per vessel per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Limit is per vessel; counts toward the 4-grouper aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked · likely
-
Spinner Shark
Carcharhinus brevipinna
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Spotted Seatrout
Speck, Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus
- Size
- 15 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 15 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Striped Mullet
Mugil cephalus
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Explicitly listed by MS DMR with no size or bag limit.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
- Size
- 47 in lower jaw fork length minimum
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Federally regulated (HMS); federal retention limits and permits apply.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Tarpon
Silver king Megalops atlanticus
- Size
- 75 in fork length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per vessel per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
- Size
- 37 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis
- Size
- 18 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 3 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Vermilion Snapper
Beeliner, B-liner Rhomboplites aurorubens
- Size
- 10 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 10 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Warsaw Grouper
Hyporthodus nigritus
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- 1 per vessel per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Limit is per vessel; counts toward the 4-grouper aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
White Marlin
Kajikia albida
- Size
- 66 in lower jaw fork length minimum
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Federally regulated (HMS); federal landing rules apply.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Yellowedge Grouper
Hyporthodus flavolimbatus
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No individual limit (within 4-grouper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
No individual limit; counts toward the 4-grouper aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Yellowfin Grouper
Fireback, Princess rockfish Mycteroperca venenosa
- Size
- 20 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 4 per person per day (grouper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Yellowfin Tuna
Ahi Thunnus albacares
- Size
- 27 in curved fork length minimum
- Bag
- 3 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
Federally regulated (HMS); federal permits apply.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Yellowmouth Grouper
Mycteroperca interstitialis
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No individual limit (within 4-grouper aggregate)
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
No individual limit; counts toward the 4-grouper aggregate.
MS DMR 2026 · checked
-
Yellowtail Snapper
Ocyurus chrysurus
- Size
- 12 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 10 per person per day
- Season
- Open year-round
Open
MS DMR 2026 · checked
Nothing matches. Try another name the fish goes by, or the scientific name, or pick All above. Species with no Mississippi rule on file fall under the default below.
Every other species
Species not listed in the MS DMR recreational size & possession table carry no state size or bag limits; federal rules may apply beyond state waters.
- Size
- No size limit
- Bag
- No bag limit
- Season
- Open year-round
MS DMR 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tails n' Scales
Only trips that will target red snapper: before leaving the dock, one angler aboard any private or for-hire vessel must open a trip in Tails n' Scales, carry the trip number on the water, and report the landing when the trip ends — one report per vessel per trip. A trip that isn't after red snapper needs nothing.
Species: Red Snapper.
How to report · MS DMR · checked 2026-09-07
Report to NOAA within 24 hours
HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.
Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.
How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04
Licences and the fine print
- A recreational saltwater fishing license is required for all recreational finfish harvest; licenses run one year from the date of purchase.
- Every licensed angler aboard needs the free Mississippi Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (MS-ROLP) to possess or land reef fish or cobia in Mississippi.
Questions anglers ask about Mississippi
Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Mississippi?
A recreational saltwater fishing license is required for all recreational finfish harvest; licenses run one year from the date of purchase.
How far out do Mississippi state waters go?
3 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council sets the federal rules, and where Mississippi has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.
What if a fish is not listed for Mississippi?
Mississippi sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No bag limit. Season: Open year-round. Species not listed in the MS DMR recreational size & possession table carry no state size or bag limits; federal rules may apply beyond state waters.
Which catches must be reported in Mississippi?
Red Snapper. Only trips that will target red snapper: before leaving the dock, one angler aboard any private or for-hire vessel must open a trip in Tails n' Scales, carry the trip number on the water, and report the landing when the trip ends — one report per vessel per trip. A trip that isn't after red snapper needs nothing.
Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.
How current are these Mississippi rules?
Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.