Winter Fishing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

December through February can offer some of the best inshore fishing of the year. While northern lakes may be frozen, anglers along the Mississippi Gulf Coast can still pursue sheepshead, speckled trout, redfish, and black drum.

Where do the fish go in winter? As water temperatures fall, many fish move away from exposed shallow flats and seek more stable conditions in deeper channels, bayous, holes, and areas near bridges, docks, and other structures. Understanding these seasonal movements can help snowbirds enjoy productive fishing throughout their winter stay.

1. Sheepshead

Why winter? Winter and early spring are prime periods for sheepshead fishing. These striped fish gather around bridge pilings, dock pilings, rock jetties, reefs, and other hard structures. Larger fish may become especially active as spawning season approaches.

Where to look: Bridge pilings, marina structures, jetties, and nearshore reefs. Look for barnacle-covered surfaces and moving water.

Best bait: Live shrimp, fiddler crabs, small crabs, or barnacles where legally permitted. Fish close to structure using a suitable bottom rig or Carolina rig. Sheepshead are known for subtle bites, so pay attention to your line.

2. Speckled Trout

Why winter? Speckled trout often concentrate in deeper holes, channels, and protected bayous as water temperatures drop. Finding one fish can sometimes mean finding an entire school.

Where to look: Deeper portions of bayous, river mouths, channel edges, and protected marsh waters. The Biloxi Bay system and other coastal estuaries provide winter habitat.

Best bait and technique: Slow-sinking twitchbaits, soft-plastic shrimp imitations, and light jigheads. Work your lure slowly, allowing it to remain in the strike zone. Cold-water trout may not chase fast-moving bait.

3. Redfish (Red Drum)

Why winter? Redfish remain active during winter, particularly when anglers locate protected water and favorable temperatures. Smaller redfish may remain in marshes and bayous, while larger fish can be found in coastal passes and nearshore waters.

Where to look: Marsh edges, deeper bayou bends, oyster reefs, channel drop-offs, and suitable waters near the barrier islands, including Ship Island, Horn Island, and Cat Island.

Best bait: Live or dead shrimp, cut mullet, soft plastics, and gold spoons. Adjust your presentation to the water depth and temperature. On warmer winter afternoons, redfish may move into shallower areas to feed.

4. Black Drum

Why winter? Black drum can be caught throughout the cooler months, including larger fish near deep channels, passes, bridges, and other structures.

Where to look: Bridge structures, channel edges, deeper holes, oyster-bottom areas, and nearshore structure.

Best bait: Fresh dead shrimp, live shrimp, or crab presented near the bottom using a Carolina rig or another appropriate bottom-fishing setup. Black drum feed heavily on crustaceans and bottom-dwelling organisms.

Five Winter Fishing Tips for Snowbirds

1. Find deeper water.
Look for bayou bends, navigation channels, bridge pilings, and underwater drop-offs. These locations may hold fish when shallow water cools rapidly.

2. Slow down your presentation.
Cold water can reduce fish activity. Keep bait close to the bottom and retrieve artificial lures more slowly than you would in summer.

3. Watch the cold fronts.
Fishing can be productive ahead of an approaching front. Immediately after a strong front, fish may become less active until conditions stabilize.

4. Take advantage of warmer afternoons.
Sunny afternoons may warm shallow, protected water enough to encourage fish to move out of deeper holding areas.

5. Fish around structure.
Bridge pilings, docks, oyster reefs, and other structures attract bait and provide feeding opportunities. Respect restricted areas, private property, and navigation channels.

A Winter Fishing Advantage for Snowbirds

Unlike visitors who have only a weekend to fish, snowbirds staying several weeks or months can choose the best weather days. If a cold front arrives, spend the day exploring Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport, or Bay St. Louis, then return to the water when conditions improve. That flexibility can make winter fishing especially enjoyable.

Before You Go Fishing

Winter water can be dangerously cold even when the afternoon air feels comfortable. Wear a properly fitted life jacket, check marine forecasts, tell someone your plans, and avoid exposed water during strong winds or approaching storms.

Fishing licenses, size limits, bag limits, and seasonal regulations may change. Check the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources before fishing or keeping your catch.

Explore Mississippi’s Barrier Islands

Ship Island, Horn Island, Cat Island, and Petit Bois Island offer extraordinary coastal scenery, wildlife, and fishing opportunities. Learn what makes each island special before planning your next adventure.