n order to provide a scientific basis for the fishing permit of cage nets in artificial reef areas, the catch performance of cage nets with different mesh sizes (20, 30, 40, 50, 60 mm) was investigated by using the cover net method in Laizhou Bay of Bohai Sea in April 2018. The index of relative importance (IRI), catch, dominant body length of main catches, number and weight escape rate, catch of economic species and body length distribution of Oratosquilla oratoria were analyzed. The results showed that 37 species of catches were caught in the experiment, among which 8 species were dominant species. The weight, quantity and species escape rate of the catches increased with the increase of mesh size. The species escape rate in 40-60mm mesh was about 80%, the number escape rate was over 90%, and the weight escape rate was more than 50%, which indicated that the 40-60mm mesh had obvious releasing effect. There was a positive correlation between the proportion of the catch of economic varieties and the mesh size. According to the analysis of the main catch species Oratosquilla oratoria, the proportion of Oratosquilla oratoria not reaching the length of capture with 50 mm net was the smallest, 10.3%. Through comprehensive analysis, the catch performance of cage net with mesh size of 50 mm is better, which meets the requirements of production and ecology. Therefore, it is recommended to use cage net with mesh size of 50 mm in marine pasture area.