Federal rule (federal Atlantic) · Mississippi lists none of its own
Federally endangered — all harvest and possession prohibited coastwide. Release in the water.
NOAA Fisheries · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Rows of bony armor scutes, a shark-like tail, and a vacuum-hose snout with barbels — a dinosaur. More on the Atlantic sturgeon page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask2
Can you keep Atlantic sturgeon in Mississippi?
No. Harvest is prohibited in federal Atlantic waters, and Mississippi lists no rule of its own. Release it in the water where you can. Federally endangered — all harvest and possession prohibited coastwide. Release in the water.
How current is this Mississippi Atlantic sturgeon rule?
Source: NOAA Fisheries, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at an Atlantic sturgeon in Mississippi and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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