Mississippi Sound Fishing
A sound of the Alabama coast in Mobile County.
Pick for redfishPiscifun Alloy S inshore spinning reelCheck price at PiscifunPhoto of Bayou La Batre: Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, CC BY 2.0
Getting oriented on Mississippi Sound
Mississippi Sound, a sound, lies in Mobile County on the USGS names map. We gather sites inside a 12-mile radius for it. Dauphin Island, around 6 miles away, is the closest town.
It has 8 public ramps from the ADCNR coastal and WFF lists. It offers 1 pier or bank site on the ADCNR maps. ADCNR marks 23 public access sites close by. Within 12 miles lie 14 inshore reefs from the ADCNR list. Water level data come from 5 water level stations.
USGS GNIS domestic names (feature class and primary point), read November 1, 2026; ADCNR coastal layers; Census 2023 places.
Trailering a bay boat to Mississippi Sound
- Bayou La Batre Boat Launchramps: 1, docks: 2, ~40 parking spots, End of Shellbelt Road at the mouth of the Bayou La …
- Billygoat Hole Ramp on Pass Druryramps: 4, docks: 5, ~45 parking spots, restrooms, Bienville Boulevard next to the Mobile Bay Ferry landing
- Delta Port Marina on Heron Bayramps: 1, business launch, docks: 2, ~40 unmarked parking spots, 2 van …, restrooms, 5080 Green Drive, Coden, AL off State Hwy 188.
- Fowl River Marina on Deer Riverramps: 2, business launch, docks: 3, ~40 parking spots, restrooms, State Highway 193 on the north side of the Fowl River Bridge
- Jemison's Bait & Tackle boat ramp on Heron Bayramps: 2, business launch, docks: 2, ~30 parking spots, restrooms, 16871 Dauphin Island Parkway just north of Heron Bay. …
- Landnier Landing on Pass Druryramps: 1, 35 parking spots, restrooms
- Little Billygoat Hole Ramp on Pass Druryramps: 2, docks: 3, ~30 parking spots, Bienville Boulevard across from Ft. Gaines and next …
- Memories Fish Camp boat ramp on Deer Riverramps: 1, business launch, docks: 0, ~15 parking spots, 4901 Fowl River Road
Business launches for Mississippi Sound
- Delta Port Marina on Heron Bayramps: 1, business launch, docks: 2, ~40 unmarked parking spots, 2 van …, restrooms, 5080 Green Drive, Coden, AL off State Hwy 188.
- Fowl River Marina on Deer Riverramps: 2, business launch, docks: 3, ~40 parking spots, restrooms, State Highway 193 on the north side of the Fowl River Bridge
- Jemison's Bait & Tackle boat ramp on Heron Bayramps: 2, business launch, docks: 2, ~30 parking spots, restrooms, 16871 Dauphin Island Parkway just north of Heron Bay. …
- Memories Fish Camp boat ramp on Deer Riverramps: 1, business launch, docks: 0, ~15 parking spots, 4901 Fowl River Road
Getting to the water at Mississippi Sound
- Aloe Bay Landing1100 Desoto Avenue, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Audubon Bird Sanctuary213 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Bayfront Park (Mobile County)15961 Dauphin Island Parkway, Coden, Western Shore
- Bayou Heron ParkCorner of Cadillac Ave and Penalver Street, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Bayou La Batre Boat Ramp (Lightning Point Park, City Docks)End of State Docks Road, Bayou La Batre, MS Sound
- Billy Goat Hole Ramps Alonzo Landing114 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Dauphin Island Campground109 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Dauphin Island East End Beach at East End LandingEast end of Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Dauphin Island Public Beach and Fishing Pier (Dauphin Island Main Beach)1509 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab102 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Goat Tree ReserveCorner of Cadillac Avenue and Grant Street, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Grand Bay Savanna11350 Marine Laboratory Road, Grand Bay, MS Sound
- Historic Fort Gaines51 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Isle Dauphine Golf Club100 Orleans Drive, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Jefferies ParkEnd of Conti Street, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Little Billy Goat Hole Boat Launch at East End Landing51 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Memories Fish Camp4901 Fowl River Road, Theodore, MS Sound
- Mobile Bay Ferry Landing (Dauphin Island)112 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Penalver Park~1512 Cadillac Avenue, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Rolston ParkCoden Belt Road between Hemley and Barrett Road, Bayou La Batre, MS Sound
- Saw Grass PointBienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- Shell Mound ParkIberville Drive just north of Cadillac Avenue, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
- West End Public BeachWest end of Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, MS Sound
Backup ramps for a busy day at Mississippi Sound
- Ft. Morgan Boat Ramp on Pass DruryPass Drury, 13 miles southeast
- Deer River Bait & Tackle boat rampDeer River, 15 miles north
- C&S Bait and Tackle boat ramp on Deer RiverDeer River, 15 miles north
- The River Shack Boat Launch on Deer RiverDeer River, 17 miles northeast
- Schwartz Boat Launch on Deer RiverDeer River, 17 miles north
- Mullet Point Boat Ramp on Weeks BayWeeks Bay, 18 miles east
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.
Public piers by Mississippi Sound
- Dauphin Island Public Beach and Fishing Pier (Dauphin Island Main Beach) on Pass Druryfishing pier, salt water, 1509 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island
Bank fishing within reach of Mississippi Sound
- Fort Morgan Fishing Pier and Boat Ramp on Pass Druryfishing pier, salt water, 13 miles
- The Pines Fishing Pier and Boat Launch on Bon Secour Bayfishing pier, salt water, 20 miles
- Pier Street Boat Ramp on Mobile Bayfishing pier, salt water, 21 miles
- Weeks Bay Boat Ramp and Pierfishing pier, salt water, 23 miles
ADCNR coastal boating access pages and public access site layer (ADCNR GIS), read November 1, 2026.
Limestone and rubble reefs near Mississippi Sound
Within a 12-mile run of Mississippi Sound sit 14 inshore reefs from the ADCNR list.
| Reef | Placed | Material | Listed depth | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shrimpboat Reef | 1999 | Concrete pipe and rubble placed around abandoned Shrimpboat Hull and 3" X 6" … | 9 ft listed depth | 5 miles southwest |
| Heggeman Reef | 2017 | 52 eco-reef modules placed in clusters of 3-4 modules (each module consists of 3 … | 12 ft listed depth | 6 miles southwest |
| Mississippi Sound Reef #3 | 2013 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate | 6 ft listed depth | 7 miles south |
| Lynn Dent Boykin Reef | 1999 | Concrete pipe and rubble and #2 limestone aggregate | 9 ft listed depth | 8 miles southeast |
| Mississippi Sound Reef #2 | 2013 | 3" x 6" limestone aggregate | 7 ft listed depth | 8 miles southwest |
| Wellhead Reef | 2023 | 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate (2023) | 8 miles east | |
| Wellhead Reef | 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate was installed during 2023 | 8 miles east | ||
| 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 | 9 miles southeast |
| Mississippi Sound Reef #1 | 2013 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate | 6 ft listed depth | 9 miles southwest |
| Ghost Rig Reef | 2023 | 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate (2023) | 9 miles southeast | |
| Ghost Rig Reef | 3367 tons of 3"x6" limestone aggregate was installed during 2023 | 9 miles southeast | ||
| Denton Reef | 1997 | 900 prestressed concrete roof slabs encircling oyster cultch material; 4300 tons of … | 10 ft listed depth | 9 miles northeast |
| ExxonMobil: Alex Maisel Memorial Reef | 2003 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate placed around gas production platforms | 13 ft listed depth | 10 miles east |
| EXMOB 76-A | 2003 | 3" X 6" limestone aggregate placed around gas production platforms | 13 ft listed depth | 10 miles southeast |
ADCNR Marine Resources Division public reef master list 2025 (KMZ; reef layer), read November 1, 2026. Coordinates are for information only, not for navigation.
Tide tables and gauges for Mississippi Sound
NOAA CO-OPS water level, preliminary reading at retrieval (November 1, 2026); station page for live data.
- West Fowl River, Hwy 188 bridgetide predictions, 4 miles
- Bayou La Batre, Mississippi Soundtide predictions, 5 miles
- Bayou LaBatre Bridgetide predictions, 6 miles
- East Fowl River, Hwy 193 Bridgetide predictions, 9 miles
Gulf tides here are small, and a strong north wind can push water off Mississippi Sound faster than the tide table suggests.
NOAA CO-OPS water level and tide prediction stations; read November 1, 2026.
The passes that feed Mississippi Sound
- Little Pass Margaret6 miles southeast
- Pass Berron1 mile south
- Pass Chateaugue7 miles southeast
USGS GNIS domestic names (feature class and primary point), read November 1, 2026.
Where charter boats leave for Mississippi Sound
- Dauphin IslandMobile County, 8 miles
- Bayou La BatreMobile County, 6 miles
- CodenMobile County, 4 miles
- Alabama PortMobile County, 5 miles
USGS GNIS domestic names (feature class and primary point), read November 1, 2026.
Keeping redfish and trout from Mississippi Sound
| 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 |
For Mississippi Sound, the inshore saltwater rows apply; the full MRD list is on the saltwater page.
Whether a spot needs the saltwater or the freshwater license depends on the line ADCNR describes; the saltwater page quotes it.
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.
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Of the waters listed, Heron Bay has the most entry points: 3.
| Water | Distance | Type | Ramps | Piers and banks | Access sites | Inshore reefs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Sound | sound | 8 | 1 | 23 | 14 | |
| Portersville Bay | 3 miles west | bay | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Heron Bay | 4 miles east | bay | 2 | 0 | 1 | 20 |
| Grants Pass | 5 miles southeast | pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Pass aux Herons | 5 miles southeast | pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Bayou La Batre | 5 miles northwest | bayou | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
ADCNR ramp, access and reef layers, USGS GNIS; read November 1, 2026.
The Alabama country behind Mississippi Sound
Alabama still water near Mississippi Sound
- Big Creek Lake31 miles
- Shelby Lakes32 miles
- Dead Lake40 miles
Streams near Mississippi Sound
- Fowl River8 miles
- Dog River19 miles
- Tensaw River29 miles
Gear stores a short hop from Mississippi Sound
- Dauphin Island Marinamarina, Dauphin Island, 7 miles
- Dockside Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Dauphin Island, 9 miles
- Fowl River Marinabait and tackle shop, Theodore, 9 miles
- Fort Morgan Marina Restaurantmarina, Gulf Shores, 14 miles
- Beachcomber Marina & Dry Dockmarina, Mobile, 17 miles
- Grand Mariner Marinamarina, Mobile, 17 miles
Guide services that list Mississippi Sound
- Capt. Lynn's Inshore Adventures Inc.charter, Dauphin Island, (251) 214-5196
- Capt. Mike's Deep Sea Fishingcharter, Dauphin Island, (251) 861-5302
- Captain T's Fishing Charterscharter, Dauphin Island, (251) 454-4107
- DX Guide Fishingcharter, Mobile, (251) 709-4742
- Deupree Outdoor Guide Servicecharter, Mobile
- Doug Houston Outdoors Charterscharter, Dauphin Island, (251) 861-3586
- Fear Knot Fishing Charterscharter, Dauphin Island, (256) 343-5705
- Finatics Fishing Charterscharter, Dauphin Island, (251) 265-3474
Overnight towns for Mississippi Sound anglers
- Dauphin Island6 miles
- Bayou La Batre6 miles
- Grand Bay13 miles
- Theodore14 miles
County-by-county pages for Mississippi Sound
- Mobile Countyseat: Mobile
Piscifun spinning and casting gear rigged for Mississippi Sound
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The country around Mississippi Sound through a lens
Photo: Josh Hallett, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Andrea Wright, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Erin Kinney, CC BY-SA 2.0
Questions Alabama anglers ask about Mississippi Sound
Which Alabama coastal county holds Mississippi Sound?
Steer toward Mobile County, about 6 miles from Dauphin Island.
What are the 2026-27 Alabama fees for fishing Mississippi Sound?
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. ADCNR describes the line in words on the saltwater page.
Where do bay boats launch for Mississippi Sound?
8 public ramps; try Bayou La Batre Boat Launch.
Which MRD creel rows cover Mississippi Sound?
Red Drum (Redfish): 3 per person; 16" min. – 26" max TL.
Which NOAA reading speaks for Mississippi Sound?
Check West Fowl River Bridge; the reading is above.
Is Mississippi Sound worth a trip without any boat at all?
Only Dauphin Island Public Beach and Fishing Pier (Dauphin Island Main Beach) on Pass Drury is on the list.
Which Alabama tackle counter sits nearest Mississippi Sound?
Dauphin Island Marina, about 7 miles away, tops our shop list.
Where is placed structure near Mississippi Sound?
The reef band lists 14 inshore reefs; Shrimpboat Reef is closest.
Which cuts are near Mississippi Sound?
Close by: Little Pass Margaret, Pass Berron and Pass Chateaugue.
Put Mississippi Sound on the saltwater list
Every Alabama saltwater fee and limit is one click away.