Inshore Fishing in
Bay St. Louis, MS

Inshore fishing in Bay St. Louis is some of the most productive and accessible saltwater angling on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and it's one of the big reasons anglers make Lake LaCroix RV Resort their basecamp. The bays, marsh edges, and grass flats around Bay St. Louis are loaded with the Coast's three prize inshore species — redfish, speckled trout, and flounder — and you can chase them from a boat, from the bank, or with a local guide. And when you'd rather keep it simple, you can drop a line right into the freshwater bayou at the park. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

The big three: what you're after

Inshore anglers on the Coast talk about the "grand slam" — redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in a single day. All three live in the waters around Bay St. Louis.

Redfish (red drum)

The bruisers of the marsh. Redfish hang around oyster reefs, grass edges, and shallow flats, and they'll test your drag when they run. They're a favorite because they're strong, they eat well, and you can sight-cast to them in skinny water.

Speckled trout (spotted seatrout)

The Coast's bread-and-butter fish. Specks school over grass flats and along drop-offs and hit hard on live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater at dawn. Fast action when you find the school.

Flounder

The ambush artist. Flatfish lie camouflaged on sandy and muddy bottoms near structure and channel edges, especially in the fall. Slow-drag a bait along the bottom and hold on for that heavy thump.

Where to go

The Bay St. Louis area gives you a lot of water to work with, from the bay itself to the marsh systems and barrier-island edges nearby. Good starting points:

• The bay and its marsh edges — reds and trout patrol the grass lines and oyster reefs
• Bridges, piers, and channel edges — structure holds trout and flounder, and the Bay St. Louis pier is a classic bank spot
• Grass flats at first light — prime for schooling speckled trout
• Sandy bottoms and drop-offs in fall — where flounder stack up before moving offshore

New to the area? A half-day with a guide is the fastest way to learn the productive spots — more on that below.

Seasons: when they bite

You can catch fish around Bay St. Louis year-round, but each species has its window.

• Spring: trout and reds turn on as the water warms — a great time to fish, and the season we host our spring fishing rodeo at the park.
• Summer: hot, but early-morning and evening bites are excellent; fish deeper or shaded water midday.
• Fall: the payoff season. Cooling water triggers the flounder run and puts reds and trout on a feeding tear. Many locals call fall the best inshore fishing of the year.
• Winter: slower but rewarding — target reds in the marsh on warm, calm afternoons.

Licenses: what you need

Saltwater fishing in Mississippi requires a valid state fishing license for most adult anglers, issued by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP). A saltwater license covers inshore species like redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. You can buy one quickly online through MDWFP or at local tackle and bait shops before you head out. Check the current MDWFP regulations for size and creel limits — they're set to keep the fishery healthy, and they can change season to season. If you fish with a licensed charter guide, ask whether their trip covers your license; many do.

Bank vs. boat

From the boat

A boat opens up the marsh, the flats, and the island edges, and it's the best way to cover water and chase a moving school. If you tow your own, you've got the whole Coast to explore. No boat? That's where guides come in.

From the bank

You don't need a boat to catch fish here. Piers, bridges, and jetties around Bay St. Louis produce trout, reds, and flounder for shore anglers, especially around moving tide. Pack light, fish the structure, and you're in business.

Bait and tackle basics

You don't need a boatload of gear to catch inshore fish here. A medium-action rod with 10- to 20-pound line covers most situations. For bait, it's hard to beat live shrimp under a popping cork — that rig alone will catch reds and trout all day. Soft-plastic jigs in natural colors, gold spoons for redfish, and topwater plugs at dawn round out a simple, effective box. For flounder, drag a bait or jig slowly along the bottom near structure. Pick up fresh local intel and bait at a nearby tackle shop before you launch, and match your lures to what the fish are eating that week.

Hiring a guide

If you want to shortcut the learning curve — or just enjoy a day where someone else runs the boat and ties the knots — book a local inshore charter. Bay St. Louis and the wider Coast have plenty of experienced guides who know the tides, the seasons, and where the fish are holding that week. It's the best money a visiting angler can spend, and it turns a hopeful trip into a fish-catching one. Ask us at the front desk and we're happy to point you toward reputable local captains.

Fish right from the bayou

Here's the bonus of basecamping at Lake LaCroix: you don't have to load up and drive to fish. The park sits on Bayou La Croix, a calm, spring-fed lake, and you can wet a freshwater line right from your site or slip out in a kayak to reach the quiet coves. It's the perfect way to end a day — or to keep the kids busy while the coffee's still brewing. Freshwater fishing in Mississippi has its own license, so grab the right one from MDWFP and you're covered on both fronts.

Between a morning on the salt, an evening on the bayou, and a fish fry back at your site, Bay St. Louis is hard to beat as a fishing headquarters. Want to plan more of the trip? Our area guide covers beaches, dining, and everything else within reach.