Mississippi Department of Marine Resources • 1141 Bayview Ave

Atlantic Croaker

Micropogonias undulatus

Peak Season:Summer through Fall

Habitat:Bays and estuarine systems

Average Size:under 1 lb.

Characteristics:Light silvery to brassy yellow with

short irregular brown streaks on sides.

Gray Triggerfish

alistes capriscus

Peak Season:Year-round

Habitat:Offshore structures,

including oil rigs and

artificial reefs

Average Size:1 lb.

Characteristics:Body grayish with irregular

dark markings.

Gray Snapper

Lujanus griseus

Peak Season:Summer through Fall

Habitat:Juveniles inhabit inshore

structures, while adults inhabit

offshore structures, including

oil rigs and artificial reefs

Average Size:2 lbs.

Characteristics:Dark red or maroon. Commonly

has dark stripe through eye.

Atlantic Spadefish

Chaetodipterus faber

Peak Season:Year-round

Habitat:Offshore oil rigs and

other hard structures

Average Size:2 lbs.

Characteristics:Deep bodied with

grayish silver background

and numerous dark

vertical bars.

Florida Pompano

Trachinotus carolinus

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Surf zone of barrier islands and beaches

Average Size:1 lb.

Characteristics:Bluish silver on back with silver sides

and yellow underside. Body flattened

with rounded snout.

Tripletail (Blackfish)

Lobotes surinamensis

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Flotsam in open waters; Channel markers

and buoys inshore

Average Size:8 lbs.

Characteristics:Yellow to coppery brown; often blotched

with anal, dorsal and tailfin close to same

length.

Remarks: These shade-loving fish are

commonly found along the many

navigational aids along the Intracoastal

Waterway during the summer months. A

big tripletail is a formidable foe that can put

a strain on both light tackle and nerves.

Sand Seatrout (White Trout)

Cynoscion arenarius

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Bays, estuaries and inshore artificial

reefs

Average Size:under 1 lb.

Characteristics:Generally pale, yellowish brown on

back with silvery underside.

Little Tunny (Bonita)

Euthynnus alletteratus

Peak Season:None

Habitat:Offshore waters

Average Size:5 lbs.

Characteristics:4-5 dark spots below pectoral

fin. Wavy black lines on dorsal

surface.

King Mackerel (Kingfish)

Scomberomorus cavalla

Peak Season:Spring through Fall

Habitat:Oil rigs, offshore wrecks and shoal waters

Average Size:15 lbs.

Characteristics:Sides silvery with greenish on back, lateral

line drops rapidly after second dorsal fin.

Juveniles resemble Spanish Mackerel.

Sheepshead

Archosargus probatocephalus

Peak Season: Fall through Spring

Habitat:Man-made and natural structures

Average Size:2 lbs.

Characteristics: 6-7 black vertical bars on side, noticeable “sheep-like” teeth.

Remarks: Consummate bait-stealers, sheepshead are most

easily caught using sharp hooks and a lightning fast hookset.

Contrary to its name and appearance, the sheepshead with its

firm, white flesh is actually superb table fare.

Red Snapper

Lutjanus campechanus

Peak Season:Spring through Fall

Habitat:Offshore structures, including oil rigs

and artificial reefs

Average Size:4 lbs.

Characteristics:Pinkish red with white underside, red

iris, anal fin pointed.

Remarks: Charcoal-broiled, grilled,

fried or blackened, red snapper is one

of the tastiest of all fishes common to

the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Fortunately, this species is also one of

the most abundant inhabitants of

offshore fishing reefs.

Crevalle Jack

Caranx hippos

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Bays through offshore waters, often found near anchored

shrimp boats

Average Size:15 lbs.

Characteristics:Yellowish green, deep bodied, with spot on edge of

gill cover.

Remarks: One of the most powerful of all the fish

common to nearshore waters, the jack crevalle is a

challenge on light tackle. This fast-moving species is

attracted to fast-moving, shiny baits; and a silver spoon is

one of the most effective lures for catching a jack.

Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout, Speck)

Cynoscion nebulosus

Peak Season:Spring

Habitat:Bays and estuaries

Average Size:1 lb.

Characteristics:Bluish gray on back with silvery white underside. Many black spots

on upper side.

Remarks: This species has earned its popularity among nearshore

sportfishermen by its eagerness to strike a live shrimp or artificial

bait with equal abandon. Silver spoons, soft plastic jigs and hard

plastic plugs are all effective in taking trout along the Mississippi

Gulf Coast. The early morning and late afternoon hours on strong

tides provide the best fishing conditions.

Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi, Dorado)

Coryphaena hippurus

Peak Season:Summer through Fall

Habitat:Offshore waters, frequently found

around floating debris or sargassum

Average Size:2 lbs.

Characteristics:Color varies from blue, yellow and

green. Body laterally compressed.

Remarks: This fish is not to be

confused with the bottlenose dolphin,

which is a marine mammal.

Saltwater Fish Common to Mississippi

Red Drum (Redfish, Channel Bass)

Sciaenops ocellatus

Peak Season:Spring and Fall

Habitat:Bays, estuaries and island passes

Average Size:5 lbs.

Characteristics:Coppery brown or reddish. Large spots common at base of tail.

Remarks: Red drum have become one of the glamour species of

nearshore waters as they are superb fighters when hooked on light

tackle. Reds up to 30 pounds and more are caught each year in the

fall months when spawning schools of these fish first move into the

western Sound. Gold spoons are a favorite among fishermen for

sight-casting and trolling for reds.

Cobia (Lemonfish, Ling)

Rachycentron canadum

Peak Season:Spring through Fall

Habitat:Coastal bays, sandbars

and offshore structures

Average Size:20 lbs.

Characteristics:Dark brown on top to

white on bottom. Head

flattened.

Remarks: These bona

fide heavyweights can

weigh upwards of 100

pounds and call for some

stout tackle.

Hardhead Catfish

Arius felis

Peak Season:Year-round

Habitat:All coastal waters

Average Size:1 lb.

Characteristics:Grayish with flattened head and six whiskers.

Remarks: Anglers need to take care when handling these

fish as an encounter with a hardhead’s dorsal and pectoral

spines can leave a nasty, painful wound.

Southern Kingfish (Ground Mullet)

Menticirrhus americanus

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Bay systems and estuaries

Average Size:under 1 lb.

Characteristics:Silvery gray to coppery with irregular

blotches on sides. Single barbel under chin.

Bluefish

Pomotomus saltatrix

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Bays, Sound and offshore waters

Average Size:3 lbs.

Characteristics:Greenish blue on top, silvery below. Pronounced teeth.

Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Bays, estuaries and artificial reefs

Average Size:10 lbs.

Characteristics:Head spade-shaped.

Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Peak Season:Spring through Fall

Habitat:Open waters, bays, estuaries and

island passes

Average Size:100 lbs.

Characteristics:Head flattened and expanded with

middle indentation.

Greater Amberjack

Seriola dumerili

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Offshore structures, including oil rigs and

artificial reefs

Average Size:15 lbs.

Characteristics:Darker on back, whitish underside with

broad yellow strip along mid-side. Dark

stripe through the eye.

Tarpon

Megalops atlanticus

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Sound through offshore waters

Average Size:75 lbs.

Characteristics:Silvery with dark greenish back. Last ray

of dorsal fin elongated. Very large

upturned mouth.

Remarks: Where once these magnificent

fish were exceedingly rare in sportfishing

catches, the silver ghost seems to be

making a comeback along the

Mississippi Gulf Coast. Drift fishing a

live mullet is one popular way to hook

up with one of these challenging fish,

but catching one on the fly is more

exciting.

Gafftopsail Catfish

Bagre marinus

Peak Season:Spring through Fall

Habitat:Bays and shallow Gulf waters

Average Size:2 lbs.

Characteristics:Bluish gray with very long fin rays and four whiskers.

Black Drum

Pogonias cromis

Peak Season:Fall

Habitat:Bays and estuarine systems

Average Size:5 lbs.

Characteristics:4-5 dark vertical bars over silvery

background. Numerous barbels on chin.

Remarks: These big fish love oysters and

can frequently be found feeding wherever

the mollusks are known to occur.

Pinfish

Lagodon rhomboides

Peak Season:Year-round

Habitat:Man-made and natural

structures

Average Size:under 1 lb.

Characteristics:Bluish silver with many

narrow bronze stripes,

dark shoulder spot.

Gag

Mycteroperca microlepis

Peak Season:Fall through Winter

Habitat:Offshore structures, including oil rigs and

artificial reefs

Average Size:5 lbs.

Characteristics:Pale to dark gray with worm-like marks.

Color may deepen to dark brown after removal

from water.

Ladyfish (Ten-Pounder)

Elops saurus

Peak Season:Spring through Summer

Habitat:Coastal waters

Average Size:1 lb.

Characteristics:Long, slender, silvery body.

Remarks: Though not considered

edible, the ladyfish has saved many a

fishing trip with its aerobatics and

eagerness to strike an artificial bait.

Striped Mullet (Popeye Mullet)

Mugil cephalus

Peak Season:Fall

Habitat:All coastal waters

Average Size:under 1 lb.

Characteristics:Dark on back, silvery sides are

striped.

Remarks: Known as Biloxi

Bacon, mullet are a staple

among locals who catch them in

cast nets all along the Coast.

Excellent table fare when freshly

caught, mullet are readily

available throughout the year.

Southern Flounder

Paralichthys lethostigma

Peak Season:Spring through Fall

Habitat:Silty bottoms of bays and estuaries

Average Size:1 lb.

Characteristics:Flat fish. Brown, often with numerous

spots.

Remarks: Probably as many folks

catch flounder using a lantern and gig

as do those who fish hook and line for

them. Either way, this flatfish is a

culinary delight that’s often served

stuffed with crabmeat dressing.

Bull Shark

Car

charhinus leucas

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Coastal waters, may

enter freshwater

Average Size:20 lbs.

Characteristics:Heavy-bodied, snout

short, very broad.

Remarks: Implicated

in many shark attacks,

this aggressive coastal

predator oftentimes

takes top honors in

fishing rodeos and

tournaments in the

unclassified shark

category.

Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Bays, estuaries and coastal waters

Average Size:20 lbs.

Characteristics:Gray with fins tipped in black, except anal fin.

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

(Sand Shark)

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Peak Season:Spring through Fall

Habitat:Bays, estuaries and nearshore

artificial reefs

Average Size:8 lbs.

Characteristics:Grayish top to white underneath

with small white spots on sides.

Origin of second dorsal fin

over midpoint of anal fin.

Wahoo

Acanthocybium solanderi

Peak Season:Summer

Habitat:Offshore pelagic waters

Average Size:30 lbs.

Characteristics:Body long and slender,

boldly barred. Jaws

elongated.

Spanish Mackerel

Scomberomorus maculatus

Peak Season:Summer through Fall

Habitat:Surf zones through offshore

waters

Average Size:2 lbs.

Characteristics:Silvery with distinct yellow

spots. Front portion of dorsal

fin black. Lateral line slopes

evenly downward.

Remarks: Spanish Mackerels

provide dependable fishing

action in the barrier island

surf and in the passes from

early spring on into summer

when they will move into the

waters of the Sound. Fishing

a silver spoon with a fast-

paced retrieve is almost

certain to get a hookup with

any hungry mackerel. This

fish’s sharp teeth make steel

leaders a necessity.

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources • 1141 Bayview Ave. • Biloxi, Mississippi 39530 • (228) 374-5000 • www.dmr.ms.gov

This poster was printed through a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration Program.

Your purchase of a fishing license, equipment and motor boat fuels supports Sport Fish Restoration funded programs in Mississippi.

This poster was printed through a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration Program.

Your purchase of a fishing license, equipment and motor boat fuels supports Sport Fish Restoration funded programs in Mississippi.

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