Mississippi red snapper season closed; Sound water still runs warm
Mississippi Sound water is still summer-warm. The latest NOAA CO-OPS readings are 80.8°F at station 8747437 and 82°F at station 8741533. The biggest news is regulatory. Per MS DMR, the state recreational Red Snapper season closed at 11:59 p.m. on September 27, 2026, and it stays closed for the rest of the year. No Red Snapper may be landed or possessed in Mississippi state waters while the season is closed.
New to these readings? What water temp, tide, and moon phase mean for fishing →
What's next
Red Snapper is off the table in state waters for the rest of 2026, so the useful signal this week is water temperature. Both stations are in the low 80s, and a drop would show up first at the stations before anglers see it on the water. Per MS DMR, an application to build two piers totaling 744 square feet and two mooring pilings on Mississippi Sound along Beach Blvd in Pascagoula is open for public comment, which matters if you fish that shoreline. The moon is a waning crescent, so check the NOAA tide predictions before launching.
Context
Early October water in the Mississippi Sound usually continues cooling toward fall levels, so readings in the low 80s run warm for the date. Fall water temperatures mostly drop after cool fronts push through, so this looks like late summer lingering into fall rather than an early fall pattern. Check state regulations before harvesting any species.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
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