Waterlands

Species guide · Mississippi

Atlantic croaker fishing in Mississippi

Micropogonias undulatus, an inshore species also called croaker, hardhead and pinhead. Listed for the Eastern Gulf region. Peak season, about 1 more week.

Right now it scores best in Mississippi Sound at 73.

Season now

Peak season
Where it's scoring nowAll Mississippi waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

Eastern Gulf

Peak season, about 1 more week
  1. Jan: Off season
  2. Feb: Off season
  3. Mar: Off season
  4. Apr: Shoulder season
  5. May: Shoulder season
  6. Jun: Shoulder season
  7. Jul: Peak season
  8. Aug: Peak season
  9. Sep: Peak season
  10. Oct: Shoulder season
  11. Nov: Off season
  12. Dec: Off season

Peak: Jul to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Oct.

Research notes, Eastern Gulf region

Pattern similar to the western Gulf in Mississippi Sound, Mobile Bay and Panhandle bays. Values here are extrapolated from the western Gulf and Atlantic pattern and are low confidence.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 1

Mississippi bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's atlantic croaker score this hour.

1
73Great
Mississippi Sound

Best window today 1 AM-12 PM (77) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (79) · 81 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature
Feeds from 55°F to 90°F, best between 65°F and 82°F.
Water depth
2 to 40 ft of water.
Structure
Channel, oyster, pier, bridge, bay, estuary, surf and inlet, in that order of preference.
Tide and current
Prefers high tide and moving water, with light current.NCDMF says croaker fishing is best just before or just after high tide in channels or deep holes.
Light
Some lift around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
Pressure
Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits
18 kt of wind and 3 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Croaker feed on mud and sand bottom along channel edges, oyster bars, piers and deeper holes in bays and sounds, mostly in 5 to 30 feet of water. A two-hook bottom rig with small hooks and shrimp, bloodworm or squid catches them from piers, the surf and small boats. Fish the hours around high tide and into the evening.

Methods
bottom fishing
Lures
small jig heads tipped with bait, scented synthetic bait strips
Bait
shrimp, bloodworms, squid, clams, peeler crab

Regulations

MDMR saltwater regulations Buy a Mississippi fishing license License types

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Synced with MDMR Sep 18, 2026.

No reviewed atlantic croaker rule for Mississippi is on file yet. Check with MDMR before you keep one.

Other Mississippi species