The Gazebo Gazette

BILOXI (GG) — Since the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) Licensing Office will now be located at 1716 A.J. Holloway Drive in Biloxi, MDMR is selling commercial and recreational licenses for shrimp, oyster and crab. Beginning Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the Licensing Office will no longer be available for license sales at the Pass Christian Check Station.

Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licenses may be purchased at any point-of-sale location, such as Wal-mart Supercenters or Academy Sports and Outdoors locations, or online at
licensing.outdoors.ms/?catalogItem=Recreational+Fishing&activity=fishing.

The MDMR Wetlands Permitting Program is now also located at the North Bay location. Individuals who need to schedule a permitting appointment can call 228-374-5000. For more information about licenses or wetlands permitting, visit dmr.ms.gov or contact MDMR at 228-374-5000.

The MDMR Licensing Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. To contact the Licensing Office, call 228-523-4093.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials have announced that the recreational fishing season for Greater Amberjack will close in federal waters on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. local time. In concurrence with the federal season closure, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is announcing the closure of state territorial waters.

Finally, MDMR certified three state saltwater fishing records for the month of September.

  • For conventional tackle, Chris Barlow of Vancleave set the record for Wenchman Snapper with a fish weighing 4.8 ounces.
  • For all tackle using an electric reel, Holt Gammel of Hattiesburg set the record for Yellowedge Grouper with a fish weighing 44 pounds, 9.6 ounces.
  • For youth all tackle using an electric reel, Cooper Wrightson, 12, of Ocean Springs set the record for Southern Hake with a fish weighing 2 pounds, 8.8 ounces.

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at dmr.ms.gov.