Mississippi’s recreational red snapper season will open at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 28. The length of the season will be determined by how quickly recreational fishermen catch the state’s allotment of red snapper.
According to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, there is an anticipated, mid-season closure date of July 5. This is to create downtime during which the agency will be able to compile catch data. However, that closure date is not set in stone and could move up or back, depending on catch trends.
After determining the catch, the state could then establish a reopening date or end the season.
It is hopeful that the quota will have enough to maintain the season through all three major summer holidays: Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day.
The season will be open seven days a week in both state and federal waters. The season will close if the annual catch target (ACT) for recreational fishermen is projected to be reached at any point after the season opens. It will also close if the Gulf-wide quota is reached.
Rules and regulations
Private, recreational anglers can fish out to 200 nautical miles. Vessels with state for-hire permits can fish in state territorial waters, which is 9 nautical miles south of the barrier islands. The daily creel limit is two fish per angler, with a 16-inch size minimum.
One angler per vessel, per trip is required to report through the MDMR Tails n’ Scales system. As a reminder, Marine Patrol officers encountering anglers fishing for or possessing red snapper without a trip-authorization number will result in fish confiscation and fines.
Anglers may register their account through a smartphone app available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or online at tailsnscales.org. Returning Tails n’ Scales users must download the most recent update of the app for the 2021 season. Tails n’ Scales administrators can be contacted for assistance by email at snapper@dmr.ms.gov or by phone at 228-325-1585.
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