Spearfishing Laws in Mississippi: What You Need to Know Before You Dive
July 2, 2026
Mississippi offers some of the most productive fishing waters in the South, from the vast reservoir systems of the Delta to the warm Gulf Coast shallows near Biloxi. But if you’re thinking about trading your rod for a spear, the rules change dramatically — and the gap between what’s legal in saltwater versus freshwater is wider here than in most states.
Understanding spearfishing laws in Mississippi before you enter the water isn’t just good practice — it’s how you avoid fines, gear confiscation, and the loss of your fishing privileges. This guide breaks down every major regulation you need to know, from license requirements and legal species to no-go zones and penalty structures.
Is Spearfishing Legal in Mississippi?
The short answer is: it depends entirely on where you are fishing. Spearfishing is legal in Mississippi’s saltwater (marine) environments under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR), but it is effectively prohibited for game fish in freshwater under state law.
Under Mississippi Code § 49-7-81, it is unlawful to take or kill game fish in any manner other than by hook and line with one or more hooks, or by use of a trot or troll line. This single statute is the cornerstone of why freshwater spearfishing for game fish is off the table in Mississippi. Spears, gigs, and spearguns are not hook-and-line methods and are therefore illegal for taking game fish in freshwater.
In saltwater, however, the rules are more permissive. Saltwater finfish may be taken from Mississippi waters by hook and line, trotline, bow, spear, or gig — with no restriction on the number of prongs. That single sentence from the MDMR’s official regulations opens the door for spearfishing along the Gulf Coast, subject to the species and gear restrictions detailed below.
Important Note: Mississippi’s spearfishing rules are split between two agencies. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) governs freshwater, while the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) governs saltwater. Always confirm which agency’s rules apply to your specific fishing location before heading out.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Mississippi
The regulatory divide in Mississippi runs along clear geographic lines, and knowing exactly where those lines fall is essential for any angler — especially one using alternative harvest methods like a spear or gig.
A saltwater license is required south of U.S. Highway 90, and a freshwater or saltwater license is valid between I-10 and U.S. Highway 90. The saltwater license is not valid north of I-10. These highway corridors serve as the official dividing lines between freshwater and saltwater jurisdiction in Mississippi.
MDWFP manages all public freshwater fish populations north of Highway 90, including public reservoirs, 18 state fishing lakes, 21 state park lakes, and 20 community fishing assistance ponds. In all of these waters, spearfishing for game fish is prohibited. Freshwater fishing opportunities abound in Mississippi with over 4,000 miles of streams and 282,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs — but none of these are open to spearfishing for protected game species.
South of Highway 90, the MDMR takes over, and spearing finfish with a bow, spear, or gig is a recognized and legal harvest method. The Gulf Coast waters — including Mississippi Sound, the barrier island passes, and nearshore Gulf waters — are where spearfishing in Mississippi truly lives.
| Water Type | Spearfishing for Game Fish | Governing Agency | Primary Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater (north of I-10) | Prohibited | MDWFP | Hook and line only for game fish |
| Transitional Zone (I-10 to Hwy 90) | Prohibited for game fish | MDWFP / MDMR | Either license valid; game fish rules still apply |
| Saltwater (south of Hwy 90) | Legal (with restrictions) | MDMR | Bow, spear, and gig permitted |
If you’re interested in how neighboring states handle this issue, see our guides on spearfishing laws in Texas and spearfishing laws in Florida for comparison.
License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Mississippi
Before you enter the water with a spear or gig, you need the correct license for the jurisdiction you’re fishing. Mississippi’s licensing structure is tied directly to the geographic zones described above.
Each resident of Mississippi between ages 16 and 64 who fishes in the fresh or marine waters of Mississippi — including lakes and reservoirs, but not privately owned ponds and streams — is required to buy a fishing license. There is no separate “spearfishing license” in Mississippi; you fish under the standard recreational fishing license framework.
- Saltwater Recreational Fishing License: Required for all spearfishing south of U.S. Highway 90. Available through the MDMR.
- Freshwater Fishing License: Required for all fishing north of I-10. Spearfishing for game fish is still prohibited regardless of license type.
- Transitional Zone (I-10 to Hwy 90): Either a freshwater or saltwater license is valid in this zone.
- Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP): Required if you plan to land certain federally managed species offshore.
The ROLP is free of charge and is considered a supplemental license to the recreational saltwater fishing license. After successful registration, the ROLP is issued within minutes by email, and all ROLPs expire annually on December 31 of the current calendar year regardless of registration date.
Any person 65 or older must have documentation with them at all times while fishing. Residents 65 years of age or older are required to purchase a lifetime recreational saltwater fishing license (as of the effective date of July 1, 2010, priced at $7.29 including all fees).
Pro Tip: You can register for a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) through the MDMR’s official saltwater finfish page. Registration is free and takes only a few minutes online.
Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Mississippi
Knowing which fish you can legally spear is just as important as knowing where you can do it. Mississippi draws a hard line between game fish — which are protected from spearing — and nongame (gross) fish, which have more flexible harvest options in certain contexts.
Game fish in Mississippi are defined as: bream (redear sunfish, bluegill, longear sunfish, warmouth, green sunfish), crappie (white, black), black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted), shadow bass, walleye, sauger, yellow perch, hybrid striped bass, striped bass, white bass, yellow bass, and pickerel (redfin, grass, and chain). None of these species may be taken by spear in any Mississippi waters.
Nongame gross fish are defined as: gizzard shad, threadfin shad, gar (alligator, shortnose, longnose, spotted), eel, bowfin, common carp, paddlefish, bullheads (yellow, black, brown), buffalo (smallmouth, bigmouth, and black), spotted sucker, river carpsucker, quillback, highfin carpsucker, blacktail redhorse, freshwater drum, and catfish (channel, blue, flathead). Some of these species may be targeted in saltwater-adjacent environments where spearing is permitted, but additional species-specific rules apply.
In saltwater, legal spearfishing targets include common Gulf species such as flounder, sheepshead, and various inshore finfish — provided they meet size and bag limits set by the MDMR. However, certain species carry absolute protections regardless of method or location.
- Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara): No-take species in Mississippi waters. Zero bag limit, no exceptions.
- Nassau Grouper: No-take status under state and federal rules.
- Longbill Spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri): The longbill spearfish carries a no-take status with no bag limit permitted.
- Sturgeon (all species): Harvest and possession of all sturgeon species — Alabama, Atlantic, Pallid, and Shovelnose — are prohibited in all Mississippi waters.
- Cobia (commercial sale): It is illegal to sell cobia caught in Mississippi territorial waters or cobia landed in Mississippi.
For additional context on how species protections compare across the region, see our article on spearfishing laws in Virginia.
Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Mississippi
Mississippi’s saltwater regulations explicitly permit the use of a bow, spear, or gig for taking finfish, and the rules are relatively straightforward on gear. The approved methods include bow, spear, or gig, with no restriction on the number of prongs. This means multi-pronged gigs and pole spears with multiple tines are all legal in saltwater.
That said, several important gear-related prohibitions apply across all Mississippi waters:
- No explosives: It is unlawful to kill or take fish of any species at any time or anywhere by mudding, or by the use of lime, poison, dynamite, India berries, weeds and walnuts, giant powder, gunpowder, or any other explosive.
- No electrical devices: Using electricity to stun or kill fish is prohibited statewide.
- No commercial gear on the water simultaneously: It is illegal to possess both commercial and sport fishing gear in the same boat while on the water.
- No spearguns in freshwater: Because game fish cannot be taken by spear in freshwater, possessing a loaded speargun while fishing freshwater waters is functionally illegal under the game fish protection statute.
In practice, most Mississippi spearfishers in saltwater use pole spears, Hawaiian slings, or pneumatic spearguns for targeting flounder and other shallow-water species along the Gulf Coast. There are no state-level restrictions on the type of speargun mechanism (rubber-band, pneumatic, or CO2-powered) as long as you are operating in legal saltwater zones.
Pro Tip: If you plan to spearfish from a boat in Gulf waters, make sure you do not have freshwater sport fishing gear onboard at the same time — carrying both is a separate violation under Mississippi law.
Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Mississippi
Even within legally permissible saltwater zones, certain areas are closed to all forms of fishing, including spearfishing. These closures exist to protect habitat, wildlife, and public safety.
Gulf Islands National Seashore: The federally managed waters surrounding the Mississippi barrier islands — Horn Island, Petit Bois Island, and Ship Island — fall under National Park Service jurisdiction. Specific zones within the seashore may have additional restrictions beyond state rules, and you should confirm current NPS regulations before spearfishing in these areas.
Oyster Reefs and Aquaculture Zones: Mississippi’s coast has designated oyster lease areas and aquaculture zones managed by the MDMR. Spearfishing within active lease areas is restricted. The Mississippi Saltwater Fishing Official Guide includes size and possession limits for commercial and recreational anglers, as well as information about the state’s growing oyster aquaculture program.
Spillways and Dam Tailwaters: Legal sport fishing trotlines, set hooks, limb lines, free-floating fishing devices, and yo-yos may not be fished in certain restricted waters near lock and dam structures — and these restrictions extend to alternative gear methods including spears and gigs in freshwater contexts.
State Park Waters: Many of Mississippi’s state park lakes have specific gear restrictions. MDWFP provides State Park rules and regulations that anglers should review before fishing. Check individual park rules before attempting any spearing activity.
Private Waters: Many public waters in the state are located on or near private land. These waters must be accessed through a public access point or by permission from the landowner. Trespassing to access fishing waters — including for spearfishing — carries its own legal consequences separate from fishing violations.
For a look at how closed zones are structured in another Gulf state, see our guide on spearfishing laws in Texas.
Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Mississippi
When you spearfish in Mississippi’s saltwater, the same bag and size limits that apply to rod-and-reel anglers apply to you. There are no special or relaxed limits for spearfishers — the MDMR treats all recreational harvest methods equally when it comes to possession and size rules.
It is illegal to sell any seafood taken with a recreational license. Everything you spear must be for personal use.
The following table reflects recreational size and possession limits for key inshore and nearshore species commonly targeted by spearfishers along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as published by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources:
| Species | Minimum Size | Bag / Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Spotted Seatrout | 15 inches TL | 15 fish |
| Red Drum | 18–30 inches TL (slot) | 3 fish |
| Flounder | 12 inches TL | See MDMR for current season limits |
| Goliath Grouper | No Take | 0 |
| Longbill Spearfish | No Take | 0 |
| Tarpon | 75 inches FL | 1 per vessel |
| Sharks (large coastals & pelagics) | 37 inches TL | 1 per person / up to 3 per vessel |
| Sharks (small coastals) | 25 inches TL | 4 fish |
The information published by the MDMR is an abstract of the rules and regulations in effect at the time of publishing, and fishermen are responsible for obeying fishing rules in full. Size and bag limits can change between seasons, so always check the current MDMR guide before your trip.
No person shall take in any one calendar day more than the daily creel or bag limit of fish. No person at any time, by any means, or in any manner, may transport more than seven daily creel or bag limits of fish for each qualified angler present in the vehicle.
For freshwater nongame fish where spearing may technically occur in certain contexts, while fishing in areas with established MDWFP length limits, all game fish must be intact (with head, tail, skin, and scales) and comply with length limits for that body of water.
If you want to compare bag limit structures across the region, our guides on spearfishing laws in Ohio and spearfishing laws in Michigan offer useful context.
Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Mississippi
Mississippi takes fishing violations seriously, and penalties for spearfishing illegally — whether by using prohibited gear, targeting protected species, or fishing without a license — can be substantial. Violations are handled under the Mississippi Code Title 49, Conservation and Ecology.
Fishing Without a License: Any nonresident who fishes without the required license is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $250 for the first offense. For the second or any subsequent offense, a nonresident shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $500.
Any resident or nonresident who hunts, takes, or traps any wild animal, bird, or fish must possess a valid license issued by the commission, unless specifically exempted. A resident who violates this subsection shall be fined $500.
Taking Game Fish by Illegal Methods: Spearing game fish in freshwater violates Mississippi Code § 49-7-81 directly. Violations of this statute are classified offenses under MDWFP enforcement and can result in fines, gear confiscation, and suspension of fishing privileges. Conservation officers may seize any sport fishing gear determined to be unsafe or illegal, or which is not tagged as per state regulations.
Repeat Offenses: For any third or subsequent offense, a nonresident is guilty of a Class I violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-141 of the Mississippi Code of 1972. Class I violations carry the most serious penalties under Mississippi wildlife law, including potential forfeiture of all hunting and fishing privileges.
Selling Illegally Taken Fish: It is unlawful for any person to buy or sell, offer for sale, or exchange any game fish taken within Mississippi or coming from another state. Selling fish taken by spear — even in saltwater — under a recreational license is also a violation, since it is illegal to sell any seafood taken with a recreational license.
Important Note: Penalties can compound quickly if multiple violations occur in a single outing — for example, spearing a game fish in freshwater without a valid license while possessing both commercial and sport gear. Always verify your setup against current MDWFP and MDMR rules before launching.
Mississippi’s wildlife enforcement officers are active across both freshwater and coastal zones. If you’re ever uncertain about a regulation, contact the MDWFP directly or consult the current saltwater fishing guide from the MDMR via eRegulations before your trip.
Spearfishing in Mississippi is a legitimate and rewarding pursuit — but only when you stay within the narrow legal window the state provides. Stick to Gulf Coast saltwater, respect the no-take species list, carry the right license, and you’ll have everything you need for a legal and productive dive. For more on how Mississippi regulates other outdoor activities, see our articles on dog leash laws in Mississippi and beekeeping laws in Mississippi.