Atlantic croaker
Micropogonias undulatus
A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.
- Peak months
- Sep · Oct · Nov
- Typical depth
- Typical size
- Up to 20 inches (4 pounds)
- Catch minimum
- National record
See state records · Browse all fishing records
Recorded profile
- habitat summary
- Generally found north of Tampa Bay on the west coast and north of Cape Canaveral on the east coast. Young found in estuaries and older fish (2 to 3 years) inhabit deep offshore waters during the winter months and move into bays and estuaries during the spring, summer and fall.
- diet
- Feeds on fishes and invertebrates.
- preferred bait
- shrimp; cut bait; squid
- preferred lures
- small shrimp-tipped jigs
- techniques
- Longevity is 2 to 4 years.
- peak months
- Sep · Oct · Nov
States with a source record
Alabama · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Louisiana · Massachusetts · Maryland · Maine · Mississippi · North Carolina · New Hampshire · New Jersey · Rhode Island · South Carolina · Texas · Virginia
Source evidence by state
- Alabama — Atlantic Croaker · seed: www.outdooralabama.com · www.outdooralabama.com
- Connecticut — Atlantic Croaker · seed: portal.ct.gov · portal.ct.gov
- Delaware — Atlantic Croaker · seed: dnrec.delaware.gov · dnrec.delaware.gov
- Florida — Atlantic Croaker · enriched: myfwc.com · myfwc.com · catchafloridamemory.com · www.floridasportsman.com · www.floridasportsman.com · www.floridasportsman.com · myfwc.com
- Georgia — Atlantic Croaker · seed: georgiawildlife.com · georgiawildlife.com · georgiawildlife.com
- Louisiana — Atlantic Croaker · seed: www.wlf.louisiana.gov · www.wlf.louisiana.gov · www.wlf.louisiana.gov
- Massachusetts — Atlantic Croaker · seed: www.mass.gov · www.mass.gov · www.mass.gov
- Maryland — Atlantic Croaker · seed: dnr.maryland.gov · dnr.maryland.gov · dnr.maryland.gov
- Maine — Atlantic Croaker · seed: www.maine.gov · www.maine.gov
- Mississippi — Atlantic Croaker · seed: www.mdwfp.com · dmr.ms.gov · www.mdwfp.com
- North Carolina — Atlantic Croaker · seed: www.ncwildlife.gov · auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov · www.deq.nc.gov · www.ncwildlife.gov
- New Hampshire — Atlantic Croaker · seed: www.wildlife.nh.gov · www.wildlife.nh.gov
- New Jersey — Atlantic Croaker · seed: dep.nj.gov · dep.nj.gov · dep.nj.gov
- Rhode Island — Atlantic Croaker · seed: dem.ri.gov · dem.ri.gov
- South Carolina — Atlantic Croaker · seed: www.dnr.sc.gov · www.dnr.sc.gov · www.dnr.sc.gov · www.dnr.sc.gov
- Texas — Atlantic Croaker · seed: tpwd.texas.gov · tpwd.texas.gov
- Virginia — Atlantic Croaker · seed: dwr.virginia.gov · mrc.virginia.gov
LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.