Inshore reefs
Inshore artificial reefs in Alabama bays and the Mississippi Sound: 41 listed reefs.
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Getting oriented on Inshore reefs before running out
Inshore reefs groups the 41 inshore reefs ADCNR lists in Mobile Bay, Mississippi Sound and the lagoons behind the beaches.
Reef years range from 1991 to 2023. ADCNR lists 4 to 15 feet of water over these reefs.
ADCNR positions are a planning aid; check them against your own chart plotter.
ADCNR Marine Resources Division public reef master list 2025 (KMZ; reef layer), read November 1, 2026. Coordinates are for information only, not for navigation.
Depth and material across Inshore reefs
| Reef | Placed | Material | Listed depth | Enhanced | Position as listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bon Secour Reef | 2023 | 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate (2023) | N30° 21.660' W87° 54.133' | ||
| Dog River Reef | 2023 | 7000 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate (2023) | N30° 33.190' W88° 3.611' | ||
| Ghost Rig Reef | 2023 | 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate (2023) | N30° 15.850' W88° 3.950' | ||
| Wellhead Reef | 2023 | 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate (2023) | N30° 18.188' W88° 3.779' | ||
| CCA Alabama Pelican Bay Reef | 2017 | 80 eco-reef modules placed in clusters of 3-4 modules(each module consists of 3 … | 14 ft listed depth | 2018 | N30°14.308 W88°06.414 |
| Heggeman Reef | 2017 | 52 eco-reef modules placed in clusters of 3-4 modules (each module consists of 3 … | 12 ft listed depth | N30°16.995 W88°17.225 | |
| Point Clear Reef | 2016 | 3" x 6" limestone aggregate | 11 ft listed depth | N30°27.961 W87°57.695 | |
| Steve Dorsey #57 Reef | 2014 | 1,034 cubic yards of oyster half-shells | 4 ft listed depth | N30°22.840 W87°49.972 | |
| Mississippi Sound Reef #1 | 2013 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate | 6 ft listed depth | 2018 | N30°14.162 W88°17.607 |
| Mississippi Sound Reef #2 | 2013 | 3" x 6" limestone aggregate | 7 ft listed depth | 2018 | N30°14.411 W88°16.380 |
| Mississippi Sound Reef #3 | 2013 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate | 6 ft listed depth | N30°14.709 W88°14.508 | |
| Bayou Cour Reef | 2011 | Limestone and concrete rubble rip rap along outer ring with # 57 limestone, #4 … | 5 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°17.945 W87°48.427 |
| Rockpile | 2011 | Limestone rip rap in single row along northern boundary; roadway culverts (18" … | 9 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°20.011 W87°29.912 |
| Upper Wreck Reef | 2006 | Abandon barge and shrimpboat w/concrete rubble placed around perimeter and 3" X 6" … | 5 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°23.230 W87°53.111 |
| Bayou St. John Reef | 2005 | Concrete pilings and Rubble and 3" X 6" limestone aggregate | 11 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°17.561 W87°31.960 |
| Ono island Reef | 2005 | Concrete piling and rubble-Red claybrick from NAS Pensacola; roadway culverts (18") … | 11 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°18.167 W87°29.404 |
| Ross Point Reef | 2005 | Concrete pilings, bridge rubble and bridge spans | 13 ft listed depth | N30°19.436 W87°30.668 | |
| Fort Morgan Barge | 2004 | Pilings placed around the perimeter of a sunken barge | 15 ft listed depth | N30°14.002 W88°01.226 | |
| EXMOB 63-AB | 2003 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate placed around gas production platforms | 12 ft listed depth | N30°17.511 W87°59.739 | |
| EXMOB 76-A | 2003 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate placed around gas production platforms | 13 ft listed depth | N30°15.294 W88°03.127 | |
| ExxonMobil: Alex Maisel Memorial Reef | 2003 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate placed around gas production platforms | 13 ft listed depth | N30°17.765 W88°02.667 | |
| LEGACY 615-1 | 2003 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate placed around gas production platforms | 12 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°16.837 W87°59.104 |
| LEGACY 615-3 | 2003 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate placed around gas production platforms | 12 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°16.012 W87°58.429 |
| LEGACY 615-4 | 2003 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate placed around gas production platforms | 11 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°17.285 W87°57.326 |
| LEGACY PLATFORM | 2003 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate placed around gas production platforms | 10 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°16.823 W87°58.080 |
| Battles Wharf Reef | 1999 | Concrete pipe and rubble placed inside old pier pilings and 3" X 6" limestone aggregate | 5 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°29.634 W87°55.918 |
| Bender – Austal Reef | 1999 | Concrete pipe and rubble encircling oyster cultch material and 3"x6" limestone aggregate | 7 ft listed depth | 2023 | N30°31.698 W88°02.944 |
| Buddy Beiser Reef | 1999 | Concrete pipe and rubble placed around abandon barge and 3" X 6" limestone aggregate | 9 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°35.251 W87°56.862 |
| Choctaw Pass Reef | 1999 | Concrete pipe and rubble and 3" X 6" limestone aggregate | 4 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°39.863 W88°01.217 |
| Lynn Dent Boykin Reef | 1999 | Concrete pipe and rubble and #2 limestone aggregate | 9 ft listed depth | 2023 | N30°16.390 W88°05.770 |
| P. Grey Cane, Jr. Reef | 1999 | Concrete pipe and rubble placed circular config with oyster half-shells and #57 … | 7 ft listed depth | 2014 | N30°27.460 W87°55.940 |
| Shrimpboat Reef | 1999 | Concrete pipe and rubble placed around abandoned Shrimpboat Hull and 3" X 6" … | 9 ft listed depth | 2018 | N30°18.332 W88°16.394 |
| Denton Reef | 1997 | 900 prestressed concrete roof slabs encircling oyster cultch material; 4300 tons of … | 10 ft listed depth | 2018 | N30°24.531 W88°03.989 |
| Fish River Reef | 1995 | 2300 linear ft concrete bridge piling around permiter of oyster half-shell and #57 … | 7 ft listed depth | 2014 | N30°19.742 W87°49.815 |
| Shellbank Reef | 1995 | 2300 linear ft concrete bridge piling around permiter of oyster half-shell and #4 … | 7 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°15.716 W87°51.682 |
| Zundel Landing | 1995 | 300 yds concrete block placed in and around old pier pilings and 3" X 6" limestone … | 4 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°28.338 W87°55.578 |
| Dell Williamson Reef | 1991 | Concrete block and oyster cultch material placed inside old pier pilings and 3"x6" … | 6 ft listed depth | 2016 | N30°36.216 W87°54.979 |
| Bon Secour Reef | 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate was installed during 2023 | ||||
| Dog River Reef | 7000 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate was installed during 2023 | ||||
| Ghost Rig Reef | 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate was installed during 2023 | ||||
| Wellhead Reef | 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate was installed during 2023 |
ADCNR Marine Resources Division public reef master list 2025 (KMZ; reef layer), read November 1, 2026. Coordinates are for information only, not for navigation.
What sits on the bottom in Inshore reefs
- 3" X 6" limestone aggregate placed around gas …7 reefs
- 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate (2023)3 reefs
- 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate was installed …3 reefs
- 3" x 6" limestone aggregate2 reefs
- 3" X 6" limestone aggregate2 reefs
- 2300 linear ft concrete bridge piling around permiter …2 reefs
- 7000 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate (2023)1 reef
- 80 eco-reef modules placed in clusters of 3-4 …1 reef
- 52 eco-reef modules placed in clusters of 3-4 modules …1 reef
- 1,034 cubic yards of oyster half-shells1 reef
ADCNR Marine Resources Division public reef master list 2025 (KMZ; reef layer), read November 1, 2026. Coordinates are for information only, not for navigation.
Where boats leave for Inshore reefs
- Point ClearBaldwin County, 9 miles south from the zone centre
- Alabama PortMobile County, 9 miles east from the zone centre
- Fort MorganBaldwin County, 9 miles north from the zone centre
- Dauphin IslandMobile County, 11 miles northeast from the zone centre
- Magnolia SpringsBaldwin County, 12 miles west from the zone centre
Second ramps near Inshore reefs
- Mullet Point Boat Ramp on Weeks BayWeeks Bay, 5 miles
- View Point Launch on Weeks BayWeeks Bay, 8 miles
- Ft. Morgan Boat Ramp on Pass DruryPass Drury, 9 miles
- The Pines Boat Launch on Bon Secour BayBon Secour Bay, 9 miles
USGS GNIS domestic names (feature class and primary point), read November 1, 2026; ADCNR coastal boating access pages and public access site layer (ADCNR GIS), read November 1, 2026.
Fish that may come aboard at Inshore reefs
| Species | Daily limit and size | Waters |
|---|---|---|
| Sheepshead | 8 per person; 12" min. FL | state waters |
| Spotted Seatrout | 6 per person – one fish is allowed to be over; 15" min. TL – 22" max TL | state waters |
| Red Drum (Redfish) | 3 per person; 16" min. – 26" max TL | state waters |
| Cobia (Ling) | 1 per person, not to exceed 2 per vessel; 36" min. FL | state waters |
| Spanish Mackerel | 15 per person; no size limit | state waters |
| Florida Pompano | 3 per person; 12" min. TL | state waters |
| Striped Bass | 2 per person; 16" min TL | state waters |
| Flounder | 5 per person (Closed Season for the month of November); 14" min TL | state waters |
| Tripletail (Blackfish) | 3 per person; 18" min TL | state waters |
| Mullet | Oct. 24-Dec. 31, 25 mullet per person from the shoreline or 25 per boat. No mullet by cast net or snagging in Theodore Industrial Canal, Dog River, Fowl River, and their tributaries.; no siz | state waters |
The inshore saltwater rows cover these reefs.
Saltwater anglers 16 and older carry an Alabama saltwater license ($30.90 resident, $66.80 nonresident for 2026-27), plus the $10 Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement to keep reef fish such as red snapper.
Limits as printed by the ADCNR Marine Resources Division recreational size, creel and possession limits for state waters (MRD limits page), read November 1, 2026.
Nearby structure zones to Inshore reefs
| Zone | Distance | Class | Reefs listed | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Conservation Association of Alabama | 18 miles south | Nearshore | 120 | 9,402 |
| National Fish and Wildlife Foundation | 19 miles southwest | Nearshore | 33 | 1,872 |
| Dr. Sean Powers | 20 miles southeast | Nearshore | 84 | 5,351 |
| R.V. Minton West | 21 miles southeast | Nearshore | 92 | 727 |
| Dr. Stephen Szedlmayer | 23 miles southeast | Nearshore | 37 | 4,030 |
ADCNR Marine Resources Division public reef master list 2025 (KMZ; reef layer), read November 1, 2026. Coordinates are for information only, not for navigation.
Around Inshore reefs: towns, shops and more water
The open Gulf near Inshore reefs
- Alabama Gulf watersstate waters
Inshore water near Inshore reefs
- Bon Secour Bay6 miles
- Mobile Bay7 miles
- Weeks Bay8 miles
- Magnolia River9 miles
Towns to bunk in close to Inshore reefs
- Fairhope13 miles
- Dauphin Island14 miles
- Gulf Shores17 miles
Guides and charters who fish Inshore reefs
- AAA Charterscharter, Foley, (251) 948-2525
- Action Charter Service Inccharter, Orange Beach, (888) 558-3889
- Alabama Coastal Charterscharter, Gulf Shores, (251) 943-6017
- Alabama Deep Sea Fishingcharter, Lillian, (251) 981-3733
- Alabama Fun Fishing LLCcharter, Orange Beach, (251) 550-5002
- Alabama Inshore Charterscharter, Fairhope, (251) 421-6797
- Allen Stella Marina Charterscharter, Foley, (251) 981-4510
- Annan Brian Capt Gulf Rebelcharter, Orange Beach, (251) 981-3119
A Piscifun setup to pack for Inshore reefs
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Reservoirs, rivers and bays close to Inshore reefs, pictured

Photo: bryantevans1, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: alyssa BLACK, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: nola.agent, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Chris Amelung, CC BY 2.0
What folks ask before a trip to Inshore reefs
Where does Inshore reefs lie off Alabama?
Its centre sits about 9 miles from Point Clear.
What is in Inshore reefs?
41 reefs on the master list.
How deep are the reefs in Inshore reefs?
From 4 to 15 feet, as listed.
What structure sits in Inshore reefs?
Expect 3" X 6" limestone aggregate … (7) and 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone … (6).
Which Alabama creel rows apply at Inshore reefs?
Red Drum (Redfish): 3 per person; 16" min. – 26" max TL.
What are the 2026-27 Alabama fees for fishing Inshore reefs?
Saltwater anglers 16 and older carry an Alabama saltwater license ($30.90 resident, $66.80 nonresident for 2026-27), plus the $10 Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement to keep reef fish such as red snapper.
When did ADCNR build Inshore reefs?
From 1991 to 2023, by the list.
Can I trust the Inshore reefs numbers on my plotter?
ADCNR publishes them for information; check your own charts.
Which reef zone is next to Inshore reefs?
Try Coastal Conservation Association of Alabama, roughly 18 miles away.
Set a course plan for Inshore reefs
Seasons and limits sit on the saltwater page.


