Hancock County, MS · Gulf of Mexico
Bay St. Louis Beach
Bay St. Louis Beach offers public shoreline and pier access on the Gulf of Mexico in Hancock County. Common targets include red drum, spotted seatrout, summer flounder, and sheepshead.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout & Black Drum — tied at the top (43/100)
3 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Bay St. Louis Beach.
Marine Weather Statement issued July 12 at 2:46PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:01 AM | High | 2.2 ft |
| 7:49 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
Species at Bay St. Louis Beach
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 3 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Red Drum Marginal conditions for Red Drum. In season 43/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Sciaenops ocellatus — Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.
Prefers. Water 65–85°F (ideal 75°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 30"
- Daily creel
- 3
18–30" slot, 3/person/day.
Source: Mississippi regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Spotted Seatrout Marginal conditions for Spotted Seatrout. In season 43/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 15
15" minimum, 15/person/day.
Source: Mississippi regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Black Drum Marginal conditions for Black Drum. In season 43/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — black drum prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Pogonias cromis — The red drum’s heavier, bottom-grubbing cousin — a deep-bodied sciaenid that roots crabs and shellfish off mud and oyster bottom across the Gulf and South Atlantic. "Puppy drum" in the slot are excellent eating; the giant bull black drum that mass to spawn around passes and jetties in late winter and spring can top 80 lb. A staple of Louisiana and Texas inshore fishing alongside redfish and speckled trout.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 2–40 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- no limit
Mississippi: no size or bag limit on black drum.
Source: Mississippi regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#4 Summer Flounder Skip the Summer Flounder trip today. In season 27/100
What's hurting
- incoming tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Paralichthys dentatus — Locally called "fluke." Flatfish that ambushes bait off sandy and mixed bottom. Drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp! or live minnows through Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets is the classic method.
Prefers. Water 58–75°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 10–100 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 10
Southern flounder: 12" minimum, 10/person/day.
Source: Mississippi regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 Sheepshead Skip the Sheepshead trip today. In season 27/100
What's hurting
- incoming tide — sheepshead prefers slack tide
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Archosargus probatocephalus — Structure-oriented crustacean eater with famously human-like teeth. VA piers, jetties, and the rocks and pilings of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel are the classic targets. Fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or small pieces of shrimp on a knocker rig right against the structure. Expect to lose tackle.
Prefers. Water 60–82°F (ideal 72°F) · slack tide · depth 5–40 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 15
14" minimum, 15/person/day.
Source: Mississippi regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Gulf of Mexico
Region
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Mississippi
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Bay St. Louis Beach: Mississippi MDWFP fishing report → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Bay St. Louis Beach?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Bay St. Louis Beach you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Bay St. Louis Beach?
Bay St. Louis Beach is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Summer Flounder, Sheepshead, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Bay St. Louis Beach?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Bay St. Louis Beach against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Bay St. Louis Beach have?
Bay St. Louis Beach has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Bay St. Louis Beach?
state agency regulations apply at Bay St. Louis Beach. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Bay St. Louis Beach tidal water?
Yes. Bay St. Louis Beach sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.