What Pelican Island offers and how to fish it
Pelican Island sits in the shallow bay between Dauphin Island and the Alabama mainland, roughly two miles north of Dauphin Island's developed areas. It is not a destination you wade to or beach on — the island itself is a wildlife refuge closed to landing — but the waters immediately around it hold redfish, spotted seatrout, and flounder year-round. The island's presence creates depth changes and current breaks that concentrate fish, especially on the incoming tide when baitfish move toward the shallows.
The real value of Pelican Island is that it gives you a fixed landmark in otherwise featureless bay water. The shallow flats surrounding it — typically two to four feet deep — are where you'll spend your time. Most anglers fish from a shallow-draft boat or kayak, casting to the edges where the bottom drops or where grass beds meet open sand. The island itself, visible from miles away, serves as your navigation point and a reference for where the productive water actually is.
Key Takeaways
- Pelican Island is a closed wildlife refuge, but the shallow bay waters around it hold redfish and seatrout year-round and are open to fishing.
- Fish the flats within a half-mile radius of the island, focusing on depth changes between two and four feet where baitfish concentrate.
- Incoming tide is most productive because it pushes baitfish into the shallows and activates feeding fish.
- A shallow-draft boat or kayak is nearly essential; the water is too shallow and too soft-bottomed for wading safely.
- Redfish respond to live mullet or shrimp; seatrout prefer smaller live shrimp or soft plastics in natural colors.
Tides and seasonal timing around Pelican Island
The bay around Pelican Island is tidal, but the swing is modest — usually two to three feet between low and high water. What matters more is the direction of flow. On the incoming tide, water pushes from the Gulf through the passes and into the bay, moving baitfish ahead of it. This is when redfish move into the shallowest water to feed. The outgoing tide reverses the flow, and fish often move to slightly deeper water or hold along channel edges where the current is strongest.
Plan your trip around the incoming tide if you can. A two-hour window before high water and the first hour after high water is typically the most active period. If you must fish the outgoing tide, focus on the deeper edges — the drop-offs where the flats meet the channels that drain the bay. Winter (November through February) slows the bite noticeably; fish are still present but less aggressive, and you may need to fish slower presentations and deeper water. Spring and fall are most consistent, with summer producing good numbers of seatrout in the early morning and late afternoon.
Boat access and navigation to the flats
You can launch from Dauphin Island's public ramps — the main one is at the Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board facility on the bay side — or from several ramps on the mainland side near Fairhope and Daphne. The run from Dauphin Island to Pelican Island takes 15 to 20 minutes in a center-console or bay boat. If you are launching from the mainland, add another 20 to 30 minutes depending on which ramp you use.
Pelican Island itself is unmistakable — a low, sandy island with a few trees and usually a handful of brown pelicans roosting on it. GPS coordinates are roughly 30.2500° N, 87.8500° W, but any chart or mapping app will show it clearly. Once you arrive, the productive water forms a rough circle around the island. Start by running the perimeter in two to four feet of water, watching your depth sounder for soft spots and grass beds. The north and east sides of the island typically hold more fish because they face the incoming tide and receive baitfish first.
Tackle and bait for redfish and seatrout
Redfish around Pelican Island respond best to live bait — mullet (three to five inches) or live shrimp. Use a simple rig: a 12-pound fluorocarbon leader, a small split shot 18 inches above the hook, and a 1/0 to 2/0 circle hook. Cast toward the edges of grass beds or depth changes and let the bait sit or move slowly. Redfish often take the bait hard; the circle hook will usually hook itself if you simply reel.
Spotted seatrout prefer smaller live shrimp (two to three inches) or soft plastic shrimp imitations in natural colors — tan, white, or pale green. Use a 1/4-ounce jig head and cast to the same structure. Seatrout are more aggressive than redfish and will chase a moving bait, so a slow, steady retrieve often works better than a stationary presentation. Flounder are present but less predictable; they hold on the softer bottom and respond to live shrimp or small mullet fished on or near the bottom.
Reading the water and finding fish
The flats around Pelican Island look uniform from a distance, but small changes matter. Grass beds — usually turtle grass or widgeon grass — create edges where baitfish gather and predators hunt. A depth sounder will show these as lighter patches on the bottom. Darker areas indicate softer mud or sand, which is where flounder often rest. Look for any slight rise in the bottom — a shell bar or sand hump — because redfish will position themselves on the upside of these features to intercept baitfish moving with the tide.
Baitfish activity is your best indicator. If you see mullet or shrimp jumping or moving in nervous schools, fish are nearby. Pelicans diving is also a reliable sign — they are hunting the same baitfish your target species are. Early morning light is best for spotting these signs and for seeing the subtle color changes that indicate depth or bottom type. Polarized sunglasses are essential; without them, you are fishing blind in shallow water.
Weather and water conditions
Clear water is ideal for sight-fishing, but it is not always available. After heavy rain or a strong wind from the north, the bay can turn murky for a day or two. Redfish will still feed in stained water, but you will need to rely more on structure and less on sight. Seatrout become harder to locate in poor visibility and may move to slightly deeper water.
Wind is the main factor that determines whether a day is fishable. A strong north or northeast wind can make the shallow flats choppy and uncomfortable, and it can push water out of the bay, leaving some areas too shallow to navigate safely. South and southwest winds are gentler and often improve the bite by pushing warmer water into the bay. Check the forecast before committing to a trip, and be prepared to fish the leeward side of the island if the wind picks up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wade the flats around Pelican Island?
Wading is possible in places but not recommended. The bottom is soft mud in many areas, and you can sink quickly. A shallow-draft boat or kayak gives you access to more water and lets you move to better spots as conditions change. If you do wade, wear a wading belt and stay in areas with firmer sand.
What is the best time of year to fish Pelican Island?
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) are most consistent. Summer produces good seatrout in early morning and late afternoon. Winter is slower but still fishable if you fish deeper edges and slower presentations.
Do I need a guide to fish Pelican Island?
No, but a guide is helpful if you are unfamiliar with reading shallow-water structure or if you want to learn the seasonal patterns. Many guides based in Dauphin Island fish Pelican Island regularly and can show you the productive areas and techniques in a single day.
What should I do if I run aground near Pelican Island?
Stay calm and do not gun the engine. Shift into reverse and try to back off slowly. If that does not work, get out and push if the water is shallow enough. Most groundings in this area happen in soft mud, and you can usually free yourself without damage. Carry a push pole or an oar as backup.
Is there a fee to fish around Pelican Island?
No fee to fish the bay water. You will need a valid Alabama saltwater fishing license, which you can purchase online or at most tackle shops and sporting goods stores. The license covers all saltwater species in state waters.