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Dauphin Island coastal waters

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Alabama, United States

4.2·1130 catches

Top fish species at Dauphin Island coastal waters

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Check which species have trophy potential in Dauphin Island coastal waters

Dauphin Island coastal waters fishing reports

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Black drum

38 in · 32 lb

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Black drum

38 in · 30 lb

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Gafftopsail sea catfish

length · weight

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Gulf kingcroaker

length · weight

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Atlantic croaker

length · weight

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Northern red snapper

length · weight

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General info

Dauphin Island coastal waters is a part of an ocean located in Mobile County, Alabama, United States. It is most popular for fishing Northern red snapper, Red drum, and Blacktip shark.

Location

30°11′48.6″N 88°15′18.9″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Dauphin Island coastal waters, AL

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Alabama can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Northern red snapper

Northern red snapper

Regulation boundaryAlabama State Waters
Bag limit2

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size16" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Special gear

Non-SS Circle Hook

Anglers must use non-stainless steel circle hooks when using natural bait.

Restrictions & requirements

Descending Device/Venting Tool

Anglers fishing for reef fish must have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to use. Take a short 15‑minute training to learn how to properly use required release gear and access it at a discounted price through returnemright.org.

Required licenses
Any person possessing, taking, or attempting to take Gulf Reef Fish must purchase an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement.
Additional information
Alabama's 2026 Private Angler Red Snapper SeasonAlabama state waters and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest on Friday, May 22, 2026. The season will be open 7 days a week until the end of the year or when Alabama's quota has been met. NOAA Fisheries has set the 2026 private angler quota for Alabama at 664,552 pounds. A season closure date will be announced when the 2026 quota is anticipated to be met.*Remember to report your red snapper, gray triggerfish and greater amberjack harvest through Snapper Check. In addition to an Alabama saltwater fishing license or saltwater angler registry a Reef Fish Endorsement is also required to land reef fish in Alabama.*Operators of vessels with an Alabama Commercial Party Boat License without federal for-hire permits must abide by the state season, possess an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement for charter vessels and may only fish inside the 9-mile state waters line.Click Here for the 2025 Red Snapper Landings SummaryNOAA Fisheries Announces the 2026 Gulf of America Red Snapper Recreational For-Hire SeasonThe season for federally permitted for-hire reef fish vessels will open at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 1, 2026, and will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, October 26, 2026.The 2026 red snapper fishing season for vessels with a federal for-hire reef fish permit is 147 days in federal waters of the Gulf.
Edibility
Excellent, but may contain ciguatera toxin.
Synonyms
Lutjanus campechanus
Season open: year-round
Red drum

Red drum

Regulation boundaryAlabama State Waters
Bag limit3

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size16" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Max size26" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Additional information
Harvest in federal waters prohibited.
Edibility
Very Good
Synonyms
Channel Bass, Redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus, Spottail Bass
Season open: year-round
Blacktip shark

Blacktip shark

Regulation boundaryAlabama State Waters
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size54" (Fork Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Aggregate limit1

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Special gear

Shark Circle Hook

Anglers must use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when using natural bait

Edibility
Catch, Clean, Cook Blacktip Shark
Synonyms
Carcharhinus limbatus
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Local laws and licenses

Alabama fishing license

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Reviews of Dauphin Island coastal waters

4.2
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6 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Dauphin Island

7.7 miles away

Bayou La Batre

14.9 miles away

Grand Bay

19.7 miles away

Pascagoula

21.2 miles away

Belle Fontaine

22.1 miles away

Moss Point

22.6 miles away

Tillmans Corner

26.7 miles away

Gautier

28.1 miles away

Big Point

30.4 miles away

Fairhope

31.6 miles away

Magnolia Springs

31.9 miles away

Gulf Shores

33.5 miles away

Mobile

34.3 miles away

Vancleave

34.5 miles away

Ocean Springs

34.9 miles away

Daphne

37.0 miles away

Foley

37.9 miles away

Silverhill

38.5 miles away

Prichard

40.5 miles away

Orange Beach

40.6 miles away

Semmes

41.0 miles away

Robertsdale

41.1 miles away

Spanish Fort

43.5 miles away

Loxley

45.3 miles away

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FAQ about Dauphin Island coastal waters fishing

📍 Where is Dauphin Island coastal waters located?
Dauphin Island coastal waters is a part of an ocean located in Mobile County, Alabama, United States. Its coordinates are:
30°11′48.6″N 88°15′18.9″W
.
🎣 Where on Dauphin Island coastal waters is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Dauphin Island coastal waters by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Dauphin Island coastal waters?
The most common species in Dauphin Island coastal waters are:
📢 What are the latest Dauphin Island coastal waters fishing reports?
The latest Dauphin Island coastal waters fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Dauphin Island coastal waters right now?
According to fishing regulations at Dauphin Island coastal waters, some of the species in season this November include: Red grouper, Gag grouper, Atlantic bluefin tuna, Greater amberjack, and Grey triggerfish. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Dauphin Island coastal waters?

Fishing in Alabama requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses are available for residents and non-residents, with options for daily, annual, or multi-year permits, purchasable online or from authorized retailers.

In Alabama, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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