Mississippi Red Drum Fishing 2026: Mississippi Sound, Biloxi Marsh, Slots

Red drum (redfish) show up in Biloxi Marsh, barrier island edges, and back bays when moving water stacks bait. MDWFP saltwater regulations set size and daily limits; federal reef and HMS rules can apply when you run farther offshore, so line up the right layers before you go. Pair with Mississippi fishing overview for 2026.

Short history and management overview

Inshore redfish follow Gulf-wide management trends; state rules can tighten after freeze or recruitment concerns.

Main locations in Mississippi

• Mississippi Sound grass edges — Wind protection and wade logistics.
• Pass Christian to Gulfport — Shoreline structure and jetties.
• Back bays — Shallow and oyster-laden—puncture kit in the skiff.

Population and trends

Hurricane recovery and salinity changes shift fish distribution—read seasonal MDWFP notes.

2026 regulations and bag limits

Mississippi saltwater rules for red drum (verify annually) on MDWFP.

How to fish for red drum in Mississippi (strategies and tactics)

• Popping corks and live shrimp — Tidal edges when legal and ethical.
• Weedless spoons and soft plastics — Marsh drains on moving water.
• Topwaters — Low-light when fish are shallow and aggressive.

More Mississippi species guides (2026)

• Largemouth bass
• Crappie
• Channel catfish
• Speckled trout

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Sources

1. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. "Fishing." MDWFP, mdwfp.com/fishing-boating/fishing. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
2. NOAA Fisheries. "Gulf of Mexico Fisheries." NOAA, fisheries.noaa.gov/region/gulf-mexico. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
3. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Fish and Aquatic Species." USFWS, fws.gov/library/categories/fish-and-aquatic-species. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
4. Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant. MASGL, masglp.org. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.