Verified against Title 22 Part 4 of the Mississippi Administrative Code (MDMR) and Miss. Code 49-15-84, September 2026. Rules change. Confirm with Mississippi DMR before you set gear. This page is a reference, not legal advice.
Escape rings: two at 2-3/8"
Under MDMR Rule 7.15, every crab trap must have no fewer than two escape rings positioned on the vertical outside walls, with at least one ring in each chamber, minimum inside diameter 2-3/8". The rule took effect January 1, 2017.
From April 1 to June 30 and September 1 to October 31, rings may be obstructed to retain peeler or buster crabs.
Mississippi runs the 2-3/8" ring, same as Louisiana, Texas and Florida. The 2-5/16" ring used in Alabama, Maryland and North Carolina is undersized here.
Minimum size and limits
| Crab | Rule |
|---|---|
| Hard crab | 5" tip of lateral spine to tip of lateral spine |
| Soft crab, peeler | No size limit |
| Sponge crab / visible eggs | Prohibited at any time; return immediately |
| Daily limit | None |
Mississippi's 5" is a 5" measure, year round. Our aluminum cull stick is listed at 5-1/4" for Maryland; call the shop for a 5" cut.
Trap marking
- Every trap permanently marked with a corrosion-resistant metal or plastic tag stamped with the license holder's full name, letters at least 3/16"
- Every float marked with the corresponding commercial or recreational crab license number; commercial fishermen may register a buoy color code with Marine Patrol instead
- Traps fished from a boat also marked with the vessel registration number
- Floats at least 6" diameter; float line non-floating or weighted, and easily cut with a knife
- No traps, lines or floats in navigable waterways where they interfere with boat traffic
Recreational
- Recreational crab trap license, $5, required for ages 16 through 65
- Up to six traps per license holder
- Drop nets need no license
Commercial
Commercial crabbing is prohibited north of the CSX railroad bridge in the three coastal counties. Licensed shrimp trawlers and oyster fishermen may keep up to three dozen crabs for personal use; other incidental crabs go back unless the operator holds a commercial crab license.
Derelict traps
It is unlawful to remove traps not licensed to you except during an official MDMR clean-up event.
Sources
Gear for Mississippi traps
- Door hooks: FlatStack, 4-1/4" overall, 3-1/2" center to center, cut for a commercial trap door. Bulk boxes from 100 to 10,000.
- Escape rings: Mississippi requires 2-3/8". Our 2-5/16" ring is not legal here; we don't cut 2-3/8" yet. Tell us how many traps you fish.
- Cull stick: Mississippi is a 5" measure. Machined aluminum, held to .005"; call for the 5" cut.