JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) presented proposed updates to state park fees, fishing and boating permits, statewide creel limits, commercial fishing regulations, Wildlife Management Area regulation, and turkey hunting rules during the April meeting of the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Parks:
• Adjusting age ranges for annual permits and boat launch fees
• Adding ages 16 and up to daily fishing fee
• Renaming “fishing permits” to “boating permits”
• Lowering the senior age classification from 65 to 62
These proposed rule changes are to align with current fisheries’ rules and regulations.
Fisheries:
• Updating crappie limits at Lake Mary Crawfod, Simpson County Lake, and Horseshoe Lake.
• Revising largemouth bass regulations at multiple public fishing lakes
• Changing bream limit at Simpson County Lake
• Implementing a no-harvest rule for walleye at Elvis Presley Lake
• Proposed rule changes to commercial fishing:
o Reducing the mesh size requirement for hoop nets
o Prohibiting the possession and transport of live catfish 34 inches or larger
These proposed rules reflect input from anglers and align Mississippi’s regulations with those adopted in neighboring states.
Wildlife:
• Reducing the nonresident turkey seasonal bag limit from three birds to two
• Limiting nonresident hunters to one bird prior to April 1
• Limiting harvest to one bird during Wildlife Management Area (WMA) draw hunts
These proposed rule changes are intended to ensure that Mississippi’s turkey resource is shared in a way that remains consistent with quality hunting expectations.
Proposals are open for public comment for 30 days and can be viewed at https://www.mdwfp.com/proposed-rules-regulations.
The mission of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is to conserve and enhance Mississippi’s wildlife, fisheries, and parks; provide quality outdoor recreation and engage the public in natural resource conservation.
