East End Landing, Dauphin Island Fishing

East End Landing is the busiest corner of Dauphin Island for small boats and a handy pier for anglers without one. The Billy Goat Hole basin opens onto the mouth of Mobile Bay, and fish ride the tide past the pilings.

• A public fishing pier about 250 feet long, run by the Town of Dauphin Island
• Two public boat launches, rebuilt and reopened in 2026
• Picnic tables and wide views across Mobile Bay
• Fort Gaines, the Audubon Bird Sanctuary and the ferry are all close by

The landing is at the east end of Bienville Boulevard, next to the Dauphin Island Campground and the Mobile Bay Ferry terminal, a short walk from Fort Gaines. From the bridge, turn left (east) on Bienville Boulevard and follow it to the end of the island.

• Entry: the launches are free, and no fee is listed for the pier
• Parking: the lot beside the ramps, improved during the 2025-2026 rebuild
• Work in progress: the ramps reopened in early 2026, with an ADA ramp and an elevator still to come at the concession stand area
• Hours: not published; read the posted signs

The landing sits close to the pass, so salty Gulf water reaches it on most tides, especially in fall and winter.

• Spring (Mar-May): sheepshead peak on the pilings, then speckled trout and white trout arrive as the water warms
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Spanish mackerel and hardtails chase bait in the basin; trout and white trout early and late
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish run along the island ahead of their spawn, and flounder head out through the pass
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum on the structure; trout on calm, mild days

Medium spinning tackle and 12 to 15 lb line handle the current at the mouth of the bay.

• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs, sand fleas or shrimp on a short fluorocarbon leader and a small, strong hook, right against the pilings
• Trout: live shrimp under a popping cork, or soft plastics on a 1/4 oz jig head when the tide runs hard
• White trout: a bottom rig with fresh shrimp
• Redfish: cut mullet or crab on a fish-finder rig, cast toward deeper water
• Spanish mackerel and hardtails: small spoons and jigs retrieved fast
• A drop net helps land a big redfish or black drum

Dauphin Island sees one high and one low tide on most days, with a range of only a foot or two, but the narrow mouth of the bay speeds up the current; the island's NOAA station is close by.

• The bite is usually best while the tide is moving, either way
• An incoming tide brings the cleanest, saltiest Gulf water
• North winds behind cold fronts drain the bay and pull fish toward the pass
• Strong south winds and a big swell muddy the water
• After heavy upstate rain the bay runs fresh and stained, and fish crowd toward the island

The landing is busy with boats, trailers and ferry traffic, so stay alert.

• Keep casts away from the ramps and from boats coming and going
• Current runs hard at the mouth of the bay; never wade off the end of the pier
• Mind children near the edge when ferry and boat wakes roll in
• Leave at the first sign of a summer thunderstorm
• Carry water and sun protection
• Access: the pier is close to the parking, and the town has planned an ADA ramp and an elevator at the concession area

The landing has the basics for anglers and boaters.

• A public fishing pier, about 250 feet long
• Two public boat launches, rebuilt in 2025-2026
• Parking beside the ramps
• Picnic tables
• A concession stand area, open again after the rebuild
• Restrooms at the landing are not confirmed
• No bait confirmed on site, so bring your own

• Come from late February through April with fiddler crabs for the sheepshead
• Fish the last of the incoming tide for the clearest water
• Weekday mornings are quieter at the ramps than weekends
• The island fills during its big July fishing rodeo; arrive early that week
• Pair a session with Fort Gaines or a walk through the Audubon Bird Sanctuary
• When the Gulf is calm, East End Beach on the other side of the point is worth a try for surf fish

East End Landing is a Town of Dauphin Island facility.

• The town reminds visitors that a saltwater fishing license is mandatory and to learn the state's rules
• Read the posted signs at the landing for hours and use rules
• Keep lines clear of the ramps and the ferry dock
• An Alabama saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Alabama residents who are exempt (and anglers fishing only from a pier that holds a pier license) must still complete the free Saltwater Angler Registration. Anglers under 16 are exempt.
• Check current Marine Resources Division rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything