Micropogonias undulatus
How to identify a Atlantic Croaker
Atlantic Croaker are found in beaches, jetties, marshes, inlets, kelp lines; tide/current edges. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.
EnvironmentSaltwater
SeasonYear-round in many areas; spring–fall peaks; dawn/dusk
Habitat and range
Beaches, jetties, marshes, inlets, kelp lines; tide/current edges
Where to catch Atlantic Croaker
- Gulf coast surf & bays — all species we list for this fishery
- Chesapeake (MD/VA) — all species we list for this fishery
- Florida beaches — all species we list for this fishery
- Australian estuaries — all species we list for this fishery
Atlantic Croaker by state
State season calendars that list Atlantic Croaker — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:
- Alabama — seasons, best months and licence info
- Florida — seasons, best months and licence info
- Louisiana — seasons, best months and licence info
- Maryland — seasons, best months and licence info
- Mississippi — seasons, best months and licence info
- Texas — seasons, best months and licence info
- Virginia — seasons, best months and licence info
Baits and lures
Shrimp · crabs · small baitfish · spoons · jigs · soft plastics
Related species
Often caught in the same waters or confused with Atlantic Croaker:
- Reef Croaker — identification & profile (Saltwater)
- Atlantic Cutlassfish — identification & profile (Saltwater)
- Atlantic Flyingfish — identification & profile (Saltwater)
- Atlantic Halibut — identification & profile (Saltwater)
- Atlantic Herring — identification & profile (Saltwater)
- Atlantic Lizardfish — identification & profile (Saltwater)
Monthly bite brief
Get fishing updates
What's biting in your state, seasonal targets and new guides — one email a month. Unsubscribe anytime.
Do not rely on a photo alone for legal or food-safety decisions. Location, season, life stage and local regulations matter. Confirm any identification that affects possession limits or consumption with the responsible wildlife agency.
Identify your photo
Upload a clear side-view photo for an AI-assisted suggestion, then compare the result against the profile above.
Identify my fishBrowse all species