Spotted Seatrout Regulations in Mississippi (2026)

Where

Statewide

Size limit

Minimum length in inches: 14 TL | Title 22: Spotted Seatrout – fourteen (14) inches (total length).

Bag limit

Number of Fish Bag/Possession: Quota *** | Title 22, Part 3, Rule 8.1(J): The annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for commercial landings of Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) will be set at fifty thousand (50,000) pounds. The commercial fishing season for landing Spotted Seatrout shall commence on January 1st and end December 31st each year. The commercial TAC for the fishing season is divided into two periods as follows: January 1st – June 30th twenty-five thousand pounds (25,000); July 1st – December 31st twenty-five thousand pounds (25,000). In the event the commercial TAC is not met or exceeded in the first time period January 1st – June 30th) the pounds will be added or subtracted to the second time period (July 1st – December 31st).

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(J): The annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for commercial landings of Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) will be set at fifty thousand (50,000) pounds. The commercial fishing season for landing Spotted Seatrout shall commence on January 1st and end December 31st each year. The commercial TAC for the fishing season is divided into two periods as follows: January 1st – June 30th twenty-five thousand pounds (25,000); July 1st – December 31st twenty-five thousand pounds (25,000). In the event the commercial TAC is not met or exceeded in the first time period January 1st – June 30th) the pounds will be added or subtracted to the second time period (July 1st – December 31st). | Commercial Quota page (https://dmr.ms.gov/commercial-quota/): SPOTTED SEATROUT: JANUARY - DECEMBER 2026 Total Allowable Quota 50,000 LBS. Catch Total 50,000 LBS. STATUS CLOSED

• *** 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