Basic Commercial Fishing Regulations - Gulf States Marine ...

Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus
Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus vitulus
Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus
Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis
LEGAL SIZES
It shall be unlawful for recreational fishermen to possess
any of the following name species of fish under the
lengths prescribed:
Spotted seatrout – 13” TL
Red drum – 18” TL
Cobia – 33” FL
Greater amberjack – 28” FL
Red snapper – 16” TL
Vermilion snapper – 10” TL
Lane snapper – 8” TL
Gray, mutton, and yellowtail snapper – 12” TL
Nassau and yellowfin – 20” TL
Gag, red and black grouper – 22” TL
Scamp – 16” TL
Gray triggerfish – 12” TL
King mackerel – 24” TL
Small coastal sharks – 25” TL
Large coastal sharks – 37” TL
Flounders – 12” TL
Tripletail- 18” TL
Saltwater sports fishermen not fishing in the waters of the
state of Mississippi may transport and land spotted
seatrout and red drum with size and creel limits less than
those above, provided such fish were legally taken in the
waters under the jurisdiction of the state adjoining
Mississippi and meet that state’s minimum size and creel
requirements. Said saltwater sports fishermen must
possess a valid saltwater sports fishing license as may be
required in the state where the fish were caught. In the
absence of minimum size requirements in an adjoining
jurisdiction, Mississippi law will prevail.
SALTWATER NETS
Licenses
Resident Recreational (Hook and Line) - $10.00
Valid for recreational hook and line fishing south
of Interstate 10. Saltwater sport fishermen are
not permitted to sell, offer for sale, barter, or
trade any saltwater fish caught or landed in
Mississippi.
Resident Gill and Trammel Net - $100.00
Resident Charter, Party - $200.00
Commercial Hook and Line - $100.00 (+ $100 for
each person onboard)
The hook and line license fisherman is required
to purchase an additional license which costs an
additional $100.00. This license is a
Commercial Fisherman’s License. It is also
required that each person onboard the vessel
actively engaged in fishing must also purchase a
Commercial Fisherman’s License.
Resident Menhaden Boat/Net - $150.00
Restrictions
Saltwater finfish may be taken from Mississippi waters by
any of the following methods:
hook and line,
trotline,
throw line,
spear,
gig,
bow and arrow,
cast net and brail nets (less than 12’ maximum radius;
no freshwater species may be in possession while
using cast or brail net),
small-mesh beach seine (under 100’ in length with a
maximum ¼” bar),
brill net,
shrimp trawl,
trammel net,
gill net,
wing net,
beach and purse seines (all must be under 1,200’ in
total length with a minimum 1½” square stretched
mesh size and 1¾” square mesh October 15-
December 15),
fish traps (smaller than 1½” mesh size).
Anyone trot line fishing south of Interstate 10 shall be
registered with the DMR and be issued a unique number
that is to be attached along with the fisherman’s name to
both ends of the trot line in indelible ink on metal tags so
that it is readable by DMR personnel. If name and number
is not attached to both ends and readable by DMR
personnel and tending the bottom the line will be deemed
illegal and may be confiscated by DMR personnel.
Additionally, a Marine Patrol Officer will issue a ticket to
anyone operating an illegal trot line. Anyone set pole and
line fishing must be on-site and attending their gear
from a distance of no greater than fifty (50) feet and
be available to move gear to allow for safe navigation.
It is illegal to use a set pole and line with more than
one (1) hook. It is illegal for any individual to use more
than ten (10) set poles and lines in any marine waters
south of Interstate 10.
Multiple or single point hooks may be used while fishing
with live, dead, or cut bait (artificial lures/baits excluded).
Nets, seines, or traps used for catching fish other than
mullet are not permitted within 1,200’ of any pier or
harbor. Mullet fishing is defined as any net fishing
activity in which 90% or more of the total catch by weight
consists of mullet. Mullet fishing using fish traps, seines,
or nets other than cast or brail nets is not permitted within
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