These 5 Mississippi rivers have the most alligators in them
Some of the largest American alligators in the country lurk within Mississippi’s swampy wetlands, according to experts.
There are more than 32,000 alligators in the state, with some being more than 10 feet long, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
In 2024, a group of six alligator hunters caught a 14-foot, 802-pound alligator — one of the biggest gators ever captured in the state, McClatchy News reported.
If you’re hoping to sneak a peek at an alligator, here are the five most gator-filled rivers in the state, according to WorldAtlas.
1. Pearl River
Stretching 444-miles from Neshoba County to the Gulf of Mexico, the Pearl River is the longest river within the state of Mississippi, according to WorldAtlas.
While more than 100 species call this river their home, gators are often seen near the 33,000-acre Ross Barnett Reservoir, known as the “Rez,” experts said.
2. Pascagoula River
The Pascagoula River runs about 80-miles from the Leaf and Chickasawhay rivers to the Gulf of Mexico, according to the MDWFP. It is known as the “largest undammed river” in the U.S., experts said.
3. Leaf and Chickasawhay Rivers
Both the Leaf and Chickasawhay Rivers are tributaries of the Pascagoula River, so it’s no surprise that these would also be alligator-filled spots.
“Over at the 210-mile Chickasawhay River, alligators are often seen basking along sandbars or gliding through quiet sloughs, especially near the Chickasawhay Wildlife Management Area,” according to WorldAtlas.
4. Big Black River
At the Big Black River, which stretches 330 miles through central Mississippi, alligators can be spotted toward its backwaters, according to WorldAtlas.
The river is also a good spot for deer, duck and turkey hunting, according to the river’s website.
5. Tombigbee River
Approximately 200 miles long, the Tombigbee River runs through Mississippi and Alabama, according to WorldAtlas.
Because of its reputation as a hot spot for alligators, swimming is not recommended, experts said.
Gator safety tips
If you’re around water in Mississippi, chances are you may encounter an alligator. Here’s how to stay safe if and when you see them, according to the MDWFP:
- Never feed an alligator, this can make them associate people with food. It’s also illegal
- Never approach or harass a alligator
- Watch your pets around alligators
