Cotton Bayou Fishing
A bayou of the Alabama coast in Baldwin County.
Pick for snookPiscifun Alloy S inshore spinning reelCheck price at PiscifunPhoto of Perdido Pass: Chris Palmer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cotton Bayou at first glance for Gulf Coast anglers
The federal gazetteer lists Cotton Bayou as a bayou in Baldwin County. It is about 2 miles to Orange Beach.
Boaters reach it from 1 public ramp on the ADCNR lists. 11 public access sites give the public a way to the water. 4 inshore reefs sit within a 12-mile run.
USGS GNIS domestic names (feature class and primary point), read November 1, 2026; ADCNR coastal layers; Census 2023 places.
Boat ramps with a run to Cotton Bayou
- Cotton Bayou boat rampramps: 2 (4 lanes), docks: 3, ~30 parking spots, restrooms, 25808 Perdido Beach Blvd
ADCNR public access sites on Cotton Bayou
- Cotton Bayou Boat LaunchNo Wake Road, Orange Beach, Gulf Frontal
- Cotton Bayou Picnic AreaOrange Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach, Gulf Frontal
- Cypress AvenueCorner of Cypress Avenue and West Perdido Avenue, Orange Beach, Gulf Frontal
- Gulf State Park Cotton Bayou Beach AccessNo Wake Road, Orange Beach, Gulf Frontal
- Gulf State Park Romar Beach AccessPerdido Beach Boulevard (AL-182), 1.3 miles west of …, Orange Beach, Gulf Frontal
- Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail – Catman Road TrailheadOrange Beach Boulevard across from Marine Road, Orange Beach, Gulf Frontal
- Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail – Cotton Bayou TrailheadOrange Beach Boulevard near water tower, Orange Beach, Gulf Frontal
- Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail – Gulf Oak Ridge/Twin Bridges TrailheadOff Public Works Road behind Orange Beach Sportsplex, Orange Beach, Gulf Frontal
- Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail – Rattlesnake Ridge TrailheadOff John M Snook Drive next to Orange Beach Fire Station, Orange Beach, Gulf Frontal
- Jubilee PointEnd Jubilee Point Road, Orange Beach, Gulf Frontal
- Orange Beach Waterfront Park26425 Canal Road, Orange Beach, Gulf Frontal
ADCNR ramps around Cotton Bayou
- Boggy Point Boat Ramp on Terry CoveTerry Cove, under a mile northeast
- Pirate's Cove boat ramp on Roberts BayouRoberts Bayou, 4 miles northeast
- Josephine Park on Roberts BayouRoberts Bayou, 4 miles northeast
- The Launch on Wolf BayWolf Bay, 4 miles west
- Palmetto Creek Boat Ramp on Roberts BayouRoberts Bayou, 6 miles northeast
- Canal Park on Oyster BayOyster Bay, 7 miles west
ADCNR coastal boating access pages and public access site layer (ADCNR GIS), read November 1, 2026; ADCNR WFF public boat ramp list (list), read November 1, 2026.
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Shore and pier access by Cotton Bayou
- Gulf State Park Pier on Oyster Bayfishing pier, salt water, 6 miles
- Little Lagoon Pierfishing pier, salt water, 10 miles
- Magnolia Springs Public Pierfishing pier, salt water, 15 miles
- Weeks Bay Boat Ramp and Pierfishing pier, salt water, 18 miles
- The Pines Fishing Pier and Boat Launch on Bon Secour Bayfishing pier, salt water, 19 miles
ADCNR coastal boating access pages and public access site layer (ADCNR GIS), read November 1, 2026.
Placed structure near Cotton Bayou
ADCNR lists 4 inshore reefs within 12 miles of Cotton Bayou, mostly limestone or rubble placed in shallow water.
| Reef | Placed | Material | Listed depth | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayou St. John Reef | 2005 | Concrete pilings and Rubble and 3" X 6" limestone aggregate | 11 ft listed depth | 2 miles northeast |
| Ross Point Reef | 2005 | Concrete pilings, bridge rubble and bridge spans | 13 ft listed depth | 5 miles northeast |
| Ono island Reef | 2005 | Concrete piling and rubble-Red claybrick from NAS Pensacola; roadway culverts (18") … | 11 ft listed depth | 5 miles east |
| Rockpile | 2011 | Limestone rip rap in single row along northern boundary; roadway culverts (18" … | 9 ft listed depth | 6 miles northeast |
ADCNR Marine Resources Division public reef master list 2025 (KMZ; reef layer), read November 1, 2026. Coordinates are for information only, not for navigation.
Water level readings for Cotton Bayou
- Alabama Pointtide predictions, under a mile
- Arnica Bay, Mill Pointtide predictions, 4 miles
- Wolf Baytide predictions, 6 miles
- Gulf State Park Piertide predictions, 6 miles
Before crossing skinny water on Cotton Bayou, look at the latest reading above.
NOAA CO-OPS water level and tide prediction stations; read November 1, 2026.
Fishing towns around Cotton Bayou
- Gulf ShoresBaldwin County, 8 miles
- Orange BeachBaldwin County, 1 mile
- ElbertaBaldwin County, 10 miles
- Perdido BeachBaldwin County, 6 miles
- Bon SecourBaldwin County, 10 miles
- FoleyBaldwin County, 11 miles
USGS GNIS domestic names (feature class and primary point), read November 1, 2026.
MRD limits on Cotton Bayou
| 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 |
Inshore MRD rows lead for Cotton Bayou; freshwater species such as bass keep their freshwater limits.
The saltwater page quotes the ADCNR license line for upper bays and rivers.
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.
Lining up Cotton Bayou with its neighbours
Best served nearby: Terry Cove, 5 ramps and access sites.
| Water | Distance | Type | Ramps | Piers and banks | Access sites | Inshore reefs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton Bayou | bayou | 1 | 0 | 11 | 4 | |
| Perdido Pass | under a mile east | pass | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Terry Cove | 1 mile northeast | cove | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bayou La Launch | 2 miles north | bayou | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Bayou Saint John | 3 miles east | bayou | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Arnica Bay | 4 miles northeast | bay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
ADCNR ramp, access and reef layers, USGS GNIS; read November 1, 2026.
Fresh water and towns near Cotton Bayou
Lakes to try after Cotton Bayou
- Shelby Lakes6 miles
- Dead Lake49 miles
Fresh rivers near Cotton Bayou
- Styx River27 miles
- Fish River29 miles
Shops for crickets, shiners and jigs near Cotton Bayou
- Zeke’s Marinamarina, Orange Beach, under a mile
- Romar Marinamarina, Orange Beach, under a mile
- Orange Beach Marinamarina, Orange Beach, under a mile
- San Roc Cay Marinamarina, Orange Beach, under a mile
- Triple Trouble Fishing Chartersbait and tackle shop, Orange Beach, under a mile
- Hudson Marinamarina, Orange Beach, 1 mile
Hiring a captain or guide for Cotton Bayou
- Fish Orange Beach (Intimidator)charter, Orange Beach, 251-747-2872
- Orange Beach Fishing Associationcharter, Orange Beach, (251) 981-2300
- Orange Beach Sailing Charters and Sunset Cruisescharter, Orange Beach, (251) 981-7245
Places to spend the night near Cotton Bayou
- Orange Beach2 miles
- Elberta7 miles
- Gulf Shores8 miles
- Foley10 miles
The county pages for Cotton Bayou
- Baldwin Countyseat: Bay Minette
Piscifun tackle picked out for a day at Cotton Bayou
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Pictures of the fishing water around Cotton Bayou
Photo: Jody Claborn, Public domain
Photo: nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
Photo: blgrssby, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Public domain
Answers on Cotton Bayou from the Alabama sources
Where does Cotton Bayou lie?
Search the shore of Baldwin County, about 2 miles from Orange Beach.
Does Cotton Bayou call for the Alabama saltwater license?
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. Upper bays follow the ADCNR line text.
Which ADCNR-listed ramp sits handy to Cotton Bayou?
The list holds one: Cotton Bayou boat ramp.
Which rules apply on Cotton Bayou?
Red Drum (Redfish): 3 per person; 16" min. – 26" max TL.
Which station covers Cotton Bayou?
Check predictions at Alabama Point.
Which Alabama pier sits nearest Cotton Bayou?
Try Gulf State Park Pier on Oyster Bay, about 6 miles away.
Which shop serves Cotton Bayou?
Try Zeke’s Marina, under a mile away,.
Has the ADCNR reef crew dropped structure close to Cotton Bayou?
ADCNR lists 4 inshore reefs nearby, Bayou St. John Reef first.
Wait on a flat-water forecast for Cotton Bayou
Check the wind and tide, then pick the closest ramp.