River Park, Pascagoula Fishing

River Park gives Pascagoula anglers a long pier on the river itself, a few hundred yards above the US 90 causeway. When the river runs low and salty in fall, it is one of the best shore spots in the city for trout and redfish.

• A 650-foot city fishing pier on the Pascagoula River
• Brackish water that shifts with river flow
• Trout, redfish, flounder and black drum
• A boat ramp and an accessible kayak launch

River Park is at 4100 Clark Street in Pascagoula, on the river north of the US 90 causeway. The City of Pascagoula runs it.

• Getting there: take the Jerry St. Pe Highway, turn left at the first light and follow the signs off Port Road
• Parking: lots beside the pier and ramp
• Fees: none listed by the city
• Three more city boat launches lie along the causeway nearby
• Work: a flow-through decking project began at the park in April 2024; check that the pier is open

The river's salinity decides what bites, so watch the rainfall as closely as the calendar.

• Spring (Mar-May): high flows often keep the river fresh; catfish and bass more likely than trout
• Summer (Jun-Aug): as the river drops, trout, redfish and croaker move up; catfish all season
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the prime time, with trout, redfish, flounder and black drum on falling tides
• Winter (Dec-Feb): black drum and sheepshead around the pilings; trout in deeper water after fronts

Medium-light spinning tackle with 10 to 15 lb line covers most fish; go heavier for big drum.

• Speckled trout: live shrimp under a popping cork, or a soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jig worked with the current
• Redfish: cut mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig along the pier's pilings
• Black drum: crab or shrimp on the bottom with a 3/0 circle hook
• Flounder: live minnows dragged slowly in fall
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs tight to the pilings
• Freshwater fish after rain: worms or cut bait for catfish

The river feels a small, mostly once-a-day tide, but its own flow often overpowers it.

• Low, clear river flows in late summer and fall bring the best saltwater fishing
• After heavy rain upstate, the river turns fresh and brown; saltwater fish move toward the Sound
• A falling tide adds to the current and stirs feeding
• North winds after cold fronts lower the water and send fish to the deep river channel
• Evenings are pleasant in summer, when the pier catches the breeze

This is an easy, open park on a working river.

• The pier and kayak launch are built for accessibility
• Workboats and pleasure boats use the river; keep lines clear of traffic
• River current is strong when flows are high; do not wade
• Alligators live along the lower Pascagoula; keep pets and children back from the bank
• Leave the pier when thunder sounds

River Park covers the basics for a day on the river.

• A 650-foot fishing pier
• A boat ramp and an ADA-accessible kayak launch
• Picnic tables and a pavilion
• A dog park where dogs may run off leash under city rules
• Restrooms and bait are not confirmed on site; bring what you need

• Plan your fall trips after a dry week, when the river is low and salty
• Fish the far end of the pier for the deepest water and strongest current
• Bring a heavy rod for black drum in late fall and winter
• If the pier is crowded, walk the river edge of the park for a little more room
• Launch a kayak to fish the marsh edges across the river

The City of Pascagoula manages River Park.

• Follow posted park and pier rules
• 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. Under-16s are exempt
• River Park sits just north of US 90, so either license will do here
• 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