Highway 63 Pier, Escatawpa River Fishing

Highway 63 Pier sits in the shade of a highway bridge on the lower Escatawpa River, where marsh and river meet just east of Moss Point. It is a working launch with a bit of everything, salt or fresh, depending on the season.

• A county pier and boat ramp under the Highway 63 bridge
• Brackish marsh water on the lower Escatawpa
• Trout and redfish in dry spells, catfish after rain
• Crabbing from the piers

The pier and ramp are under the Highway 63 bridge over the Escatawpa River, by Elder Ferry Road on the east side of Moss Point. Jackson County lists them as the Highway 63 Pier and Boat Ramp.

• Getting there: take Highway 63 toward the Escatawpa bridge and turn off near Elder Ferry Road
• Parking: a lot shared with boaters
• Fees: none listed by the county
• Work: the county received state Tidelands funds for launch improvements, so expect construction at times
• Hours: none published that we could confirm

The lower Escatawpa is a tidal marsh river, salty in dry spells and fresh after rain.

• Spring (Mar-May): usually fresh from rain; catfish, bass and bream are the likely catch
• Summer (Jun-Aug): saltier water brings trout and redfish up from the Pascagoula; catfish all season
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the best saltwater fishing, with trout, redfish, flounder and black drum
• Winter (Dec-Feb): black drum and trout in the deeper holes near the bridge after cold fronts

Medium-light tackle with 10 to 15 lb line covers both salt and fresh fish.

• Speckled trout: live shrimp under a popping cork in the bridge shade
• Redfish: shrimp or cut mullet on a Carolina rig along the marsh edge
• Black drum and catfish: cut bait or shrimp on the bottom with a 2/0 to 3/0 circle hook
• Flounder: a live minnow worked slowly along the bottom
• Blue crabs: a drop net from the pier

The river has a small, mostly once-a-day tide; its own flow and the rain upstream usually decide the fishing.

• Low river levels after dry weather bring saltwater fish this far up
• After heavy rain the river runs fresh, fast and dark; try for catfish or come back later
• A falling tide draws bait out of the marsh creeks past the bridge
• North winds after winter fronts drop the water and stack fish in the deeper holes
• The bridge gives welcome shade on hot afternoons

This is a basic launch under a highway bridge.

• Do not fish from the highway bridge; use the pier
• Keep clear of boats at the ramp
• Current and floating debris are strong after heavy rain; stay back from the edge
• Alligators live in the Escatawpa marshes; keep pets and children back
• Leave at the first sign of lightning

Facilities are those of a rural county boat launch, though Tidelands money is going into improvements.

• Piers beside the ramp
• A public boat ramp
• A parking area for cars and trailers
• Shade from the highway bridge overhead
• No restrooms, lights or bait shop confirmed; bait is sold in Moss Point, a short drive west

• Check rainfall upstream before you go; low water means a better shot at trout and redfish
• Fish the shade line under the bridge on bright days
• Bring a crab net for summer evenings
• When the river is fresh, switch to catfish and bream rather than heading home

Jackson County manages the Highway 63 Pier and Boat Ramp.

• Follow posted county rules at the ramp and pier
• A Mississippi saltwater fishing license is required south of US 90 unless you are exempt; between US 90 and I-10 either a saltwater or a freshwater license will do. Children under 16 are exempt
• Freshwater species follow the state wildlife department's rules; saltwater limits come from MDMR at dmr.ms.gov
• Check current MDMR rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything