Hey y’all! As a Gulf Coast foodie and seafood enthusiast, I’m super excited to share everything you need to know about shrimp season in Mississippi Whether you’re a local shrimper, seafood lover, or just curious about when to get the freshest Gulf shrimp, I’ve got you covered!
Quick Answer
The 2025-2026 Mississippi shrimp season opens at 6 a.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025. But different areas have different closing dates:
- North of Intracoastal Waterway: Closes January 1, 2026
- South of Intracoastal Waterway and west of Gulfport Ship Channel: Closes May 1, 2026
Main Shrimp Types You’ll Find in Mississippi Waters
We’ve got quite a variety of shrimp in our waters! Here are the main types
-
Brown Shrimp
- Most common type in Mississippi
- Peak season: May through September
- Best catches: May-June
-
White Shrimp
- Known for their sweet flavor
- Peak season: August through December
- Best catches: October-November
-
Other Types
- Pink shrimp (good in spring and fall)
- Royal red shrimp (deep water variety)
- Rock shrimp (found near rocky areas)
Month-by-Month Shrimp Guide
Here’s what ya can expect throughout the year:
Spring (March-May)
- March: Season still closed
- April: Early brown shrimp catches begin
- May: Brown shrimp season kicks into high gear
Summer (June-August)
- June: Peak brown shrimp season
- July: Strong brown shrimp harvests continue
- August: White shrimp season begins
Fall (September-November)
- September: Brown shrimp winding down, white shrimp ramping up
- October: Peak white shrimp season
- November: Still good white shrimp catches
Winter (December-February)
- December: Limited harvests
- January-February: Most areas closed for conservation
Where to Get Your Fresh Mississippi Shrimp
I’ve found these spots to be the best for getting your shrimp fix:
- Local seafood markets along the coast
- Farmer’s markets (especially during peak seasons)
- Direct from shrimp boats at the docks
- Local seafood festivals and fish fries
- Gulf Coast restaurants featuring seasonal catches
Important Rules for Shrimpers
If you’re planning to do some shrimping yourself, here’s what you gotta know:
Allowed Equipment
- Shrimp trawls
- Butterfly nets
- Skimmer nets
- Push trawls
- Beach seines
- Cast nets
Net Size Limits
- North of barrier islands: Max 25 feet headrope, 32 feet footrope
- Test trawls: Max 12 feet headrope, 15 feet footrope
Pro Tips for Getting the Best Shrimp
- Buy local whenever possible
- Ask when the shrimp were caught
- Look for firm, translucent shrimp
- Avoid any with black spots or strong fishy smell
- Get to know your local shrimpers
Why Buy Mississippi Shrimp?
Lemme tell you why our local shrimp are worth seeking out:
- Supports local fishing communities
- Fresher than imported options
- Better regulated and sustainable
- Typically larger and sweeter
- You know exactly where they came from
Sustainability Measures
Our state takes shrimp conservation seriously with:
- Carefully managed season dates
- Net size restrictions
- Protected areas for juvenile shrimp
- Catch limits based on population surveys
- Required turtle exclusion devices
Final Thoughts
Y’all, there’s nothing quite like fresh Mississippi Gulf shrimp! Whether you’re making gumbo, throwing them on the grill, or just boiling them up with some corn and potatoes, knowing when to get the freshest shrimp makes all the difference.
Remember, while June 23, 2025, marks the start of our new season, the best time to get your shrimp depends on what type you’re after. Brown shrimp are fantastic in early summer, while white shrimp are at their peak in the fall.
Would you like me to explain any part of this guide in more detail? Drop a comment below, and I’ll be happy to help!
Commercial Methods of Take
During open seasons and in open areas, saltwater shrimp may only be taken with shrimp trawls, butterfly nets, skimmer nets, push trawls, beach seines and cast nets. North of the barrier islands (COLREGS demarcation line), within the Mississippi Sound, shrimp may only be taken with a single net, no longer than 50 feet along the headrope and 60 feet along the footrope, or not more than two nets, each no longer than 25 feet on the headrope and 32 feet on the footrope. A test (or try) trawl no longer than 12 feet along the headrope and 15 feet along the footrope with boards no more than 30 inches in length is permitted in open areas during open seasons. Trawl doors shall not exceed 8 feet by 43 inches.
Licensed shrimp trawlers may keep up to 25 pounds in total of White Trout, Croaker, Black Drum, Ground Mullet, Gafftopsail Catfish and Flounder and three dozen Blue Crabs for personal consumption, but must meet minimum size and creel limits. Non-resident licensed shrimp trawlers may only keep this allowance if their respective state has a reciprocal agreement with Mississippi.
It shall be unlawful to use skimmer trawls or wing nets with a maximum size greater than 25 feet on the headrope and 32 feet on the footrope.
All recreational and commercial shrimp trawl vessels with a mechanical assisted retrieval system and all skimmer vessels 40 feet and larger must have a Turtle Excluder Device (TED). Contact NOAA 228-762-4591 for more information on these federal requirements.
Mississippi’s Shrimp Season Begins
FAQ
Is Mississippi shrimp season open?
Mississippi shrimp season opens Monday, June 23. BILOXI, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources has set the opening date of the 2025-2026 shrimp season in state territorial waters for 6 a.m. Monday, June 23, 2025.
What months are shrimp in season?
Shrimp thrive in the warm waters of the Gulf and can grow about an inch every seven to 10 days. Shrimp are a migratory species and move based on tide, wind, currents and water temperature. Shrimp season usually opens sometime between May and June and runs through December.
What seafood is in season in Mississippi?
The best months for white shrimp or fish are from October to January. Pink shrimp are also common in the area; they are found in depths that are between the regions of white shrimp and brown shrimp, usually caught at night, and are most abundant in months October through April.
What kind of shrimp are in Mississippi?
Mississippi Gulf White Shrimp have long antennas and smooth shells that help distinguish them from Mississippi Gulf Brown Shrimp and Mississippi Gulf Pink Shrimp. Mississippi Gulf White Shrimp have light gray bodies, greenish tails and a yellow band on their mid-sections.
Does Mississippi have a shrimp season?
Mississippi’s shrimp season holds significant economic and cultural value, playing a crucial role in the livelihoods of local fishermen and the state’s seafood industry. Understanding the legal framework surrounding this period is essential for ensuring sustainable practices and compliance with state regulations.
How do I navigate Mississippi’s shrimp season?
Navigate Mississippi’s shrimp season with ease by understanding key regulations, compliance criteria, and licensing requirements. Mississippi’s shrimp season holds significant economic and cultural value, playing a crucial role in the livelihoods of local fishermen and the state’s seafood industry.
When is the 2024-2025 shrimp season in Mississippi?
24-24-CWS | May 24, 2024 BILOXI, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources has set the opening date of the 2024-2025 shrimp season in state territorial waters for 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2024.All regulations of the MDMR will be in full force and effect, and all boats engaged…
What are the regulations governing Mississippi’s shrimp season?
The regulations governing Mississippi’s shrimp season are outlined in the Mississippi Code Annotated, Title 49, which addresses conservation and ecology. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) is responsible for enforcing these laws.
When does the shrimp season start in Louisiana?
The opening date of the Louisiana inshore waters spring shrimp season is May 24, 2021, at 6 a.m. All Louisiana inshore waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line will open then.
When does shrimp season close in Gulfport?
For areas south of the Intracoastal Waterway and west of the Gulfport Ship Channel, shrimp season will close at 12:01 a.m. on May 1, 2025. Licensed live-bait shrimping is open year-round in designated areas. Staff will continue to sample prior to the opening date.