Flounder Regulations in Mississippi (2026)

Where

Statewide

Size limit

Minimum length in inches: 12 TL | Title 22: flounders (Paralicthys sp.) – twelve (12) inches (total length).

Bag limit

Number of Fish Bag/Possession: Quota *** | Title 22, Part 3, Rule 8.1(H): The annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for commercial landings of flounder (Paralicthys sp.) will be set at seventy-four thousand (74,000) pounds. The commercial fishing season for landing flounder will commence on January 1 and end on December 31 each year.

Possession

Number of Fish Bag/Possession: Quota ***

Season

*** The season will run from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 each year. Total allowable catch limits (TAC) are 74,000 pounds of Flounder; 60,000 pounds of Red Drum; and 50,000 pounds for Spotted Seatrout. When landing reports, as required by law, show the TAC has been reached for a given species, MDMR will, with adequate notice, issue a news release and public notice closing state waters to commercial fishing for that species for the remainder of that fishing year. | Title 22, Part 3, Rule 8.1(H): The annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for commercial landings of flounder (Paralicthys sp.) will be set at seventy-four thousand (74,000) pounds. The commercial fishing season for landing flounder will commence on January 1 and end on December 31 each year. | Commercial Quota page (https://dmr.ms.gov/commercial-quota/): FLOUNDER: JANUARY - DECEMBER 2026 Total Allowable Quota 74,000 LBS. Catch Total 23,205 LBS. STATUS OPEN

• *** The season will run from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 each year. Total allowable catch limits (TAC) are 74,000 pounds of Flounder; 60,000 pounds of Red Drum; and 50,000 pounds for Spotted Seatrout. When landing reports, as required by law, show the TAC has been reached for a given species, MDMR will, with adequate notice, issue a news release and public notice closing state waters to commercial fishing for that species for the remainder of that fishing year.
• Title 22, Part 3, Rule 3.1 It is unlawful to commercially take finfish from the marine waters north of the CSX bridges in the three (3) coastal counties of Mississippi, except for any euryhaline species of minnow in the Pascagoula River system.
• Title 22, Part 3, Rule 4.1 Vessel Decal Requirements A. The seafood privilege tax license decal must be displayed on each vessel engaged in commercial fishing activities but will not be valid without the proper commercial harvester’s license. The decal must be displayed next to the state registration number or federal documentation number. B. The seafood privilege tax license decal must be displayed on each vessel engaged in charter fishing activities but will not be valid without the proper Mississippi charter license. The decal must be displayed next to the state registration number or federal documentation number.
• Federal Regulations may differ from state regulations. Please refer to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council for Federal Regulations at (888) 833-1844 or www.gulfcouncil.org.
• NOTE: Fishing seasons for some species may be closed by order of the Commission on Marine Resources. Advance notice of such closures will be given.
• Regulatory language listed in associated parts of Title 22 supersedes information listed below.

Official source