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Atlantic Croaker

Atlantic Croaker

Atlantic Croaker are abundant saltwater fish found throughout Mississippi's coastal waters, estuaries, and bays. Known as the loudest member of the drum family, they produce distinctive croaking sounds by vibrating muscles against their swim bladder.

They're habitat generalists, thriving in muddy and sandy bottoms of bays and estuarine systems, particularly around structures like piers, bridges, and oyster reefs.

Scientific Name: Micropogonias undulatus

Physical Characteristics:
  • These silvery fish with dark irregular streaks average 12 inches and 1-2 pounds, though Mississippi specimens can reach up to 27 inches and over 8 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout Mississippi's coastal waters, estuaries, and bays.
  • Juveniles enter Mississippi's estuaries and bays from late summer through winter, using these areas as critical nursery habitat before moving offshore as adults.

Key Locations

  • Mississippi Sound, Bay St.
  • Louis, Biloxi Bay, and the Pascagoula River system.
  • Fish the old Highway 90 bridge at Howard Avenue in Biloxi, numerous fishing piers throughout the coast, and around bridge pilings in Bay St.
  • Louis.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on areas with muddy or sandy bottoms near structures, especially in 25-30 feet of water around channels and holes.

Atlantic Croaker FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Atlantic Croaker in Mississippi?

Natural baits including live or cut shrimp, squid strips, bloodworms, peeler crab, soft crab, and clams. They respond well to spoons, jigs, and small lures that glisten or move naturally along the bottom.

When is the best time to fish for Atlantic Croaker in Mississippi?

Atlantic Croaker fishing is most productive in Mississippi from summer through fall, with peak action from July through October. Spawning occurs offshore from late summer through early spring, with peak activity in November in the Gulf of Mexico - during this period, avoid targeting them as they move to deeper waters...

How do you catch Atlantic Croaker in Mississippi?

Use bottom fishing techniques with size 4 to 1 hooks with 1-3 ounce weights. Bait bottom and top hooks with squid and middle hooks with bloodworms for maximum effectiveness.

What do Atlantic Croaker eat?

Atlantic Croaker are opportunistic bottom feeders with a diverse diet including polychaetes, crustaceans (especially shrimp, crabs, and mysids), small fish, and benthic invertebrates like clams and amphipods.

Where do Atlantic Croaker live in Mississippi?

Found throughout Mississippi's coastal waters, estuaries, and bays. Juveniles enter Mississippi's estuaries and bays from late summer through winter, using these areas as critical nursery habitat before moving offshore as adults.

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