The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) has decided to reopen the recreational red snapper season earlier than previously announced. The season will open this upcoming weekend on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. and close Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. The season will then reopen seven days a week beginning Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. with a projected close date of Sept. 6, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.
This early reopening will provide Mississippi anglers increased opportunity to fish for red snapper, greater amberjack and gray triggerfish simultaneously.
Private recreational anglers can fish out to 200 nautical miles. Vessels with state for-hire permits can fish in state territorial waters, which is nine nautical miles south of the barrier islands.
The private recreational and state for-hire season will close if the Mississippi red snapper annual catch limit (ACL) is projected to be reached at any point after the season opens. It will also close if the red snapper gulf-wide quota is reached.
One angler per vessel, per trip is required to report through the MDMR Tails n’ Scales system. Anglers are encouraged to report additional information for greater amberjack and gray triggerfish while Mississippi’s red snapper season is open. As a reminder, Marine Patrol officers encountering anglers harvesting 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 users must download the newest Tails n’ Scales app update prior to obtaining any 2021 trip authorizations. 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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