What Round Island Offers

Round Island is a small barrier island in Mississippi Sound, roughly 12 miles south of Biloxi, accessible only by boat. The island sits in shallow, productive waters that hold redfish, spotted seatrout, and flounder year-round, with Spanish mackerel and king mackerel moving in during warmer months. The island itself is undeveloped and protected—you cannot land on it—but the waters immediately surrounding it are among the most reliable in the sound for sight-fishing and wade-fishing in clear shallows.

The appeal of Round Island is the combination of shallow-water structure and consistent fish populations. The island creates a current break and concentrates baitfish, which draws predators. Anglers fish the flats and drop-offs around the perimeter rather than the island itself, working depths from 2 to 8 feet depending on tide and season.

Key Takeaways

  • Round Island is accessible only by private boat or charter; there is no public dock or landing on the island itself.
  • Redfish and spotted seatrout are the primary targets year-round, with best conditions in fall and spring when water clarity is highest.
  • Fishing is done in the surrounding shallows and flats, not on the island; depths range from 2 to 8 feet depending on tide.
  • A Mississippi saltwater fishing license is required, and regulations on redfish and seatrout bag limits apply the same as elsewhere in the sound.
  • Boat access from Biloxi marinas takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on sea conditions and your starting point.

Getting There and Boat Access

Round Island has no public landing or dock. Access is by private boat launched from Biloxi-area marinas or by booking a charter. The most common launch points are the public ramps at Biloxi Small Craft Harbor (near the Biloxi Lighthouse) and the ramps at Broadwater Marina. From either location, the run to Round Island is roughly 12 miles south into Mississippi Sound, taking 30 to 45 minutes depending on sea state and your boat's speed.

Charter boats operating out of Biloxi regularly fish Round Island and the surrounding sound. Captains familiar with the area know the productive flats, current patterns, and seasonal movements. A half-day charter typically costs between $400 and $600 for two anglers, though prices vary by operator and season. Charter services can be found through the Biloxi Convention and Visitors Bureau or by contacting marinas directly.

If you bring your own boat, carry a GPS unit and a detailed chart of Mississippi Sound. The waters around Round Island are shallow and can shift with storms; a chart plotter and knowledge of tide tables are essential. Cell service is unreliable once you leave the mainland, so file a float plan with someone ashore.

What Fish Are There and When

Redfish are present year-round in the shallows around Round Island and are the primary target for sight-fishing. Fall and spring offer the clearest water and most active fish. Summer redfish are there but often move to deeper water or the back bays during the heat of the day. Winter fishing is possible but water temperatures drop and fish become less aggressive.

Spotted seatrout (speckled trout) school in the same flats and are equally reliable. They respond well to topwater plugs and soft plastics in the early morning and late afternoon. Seatrout are more temperature-sensitive than redfish; they thin out in the coldest months but return strongly in spring.

Flounder hold on the deeper edges and drop-offs around the island, particularly in fall as they move toward deeper winter grounds. They are less predictable than redfish or seatrout but offer a different target if sight-fishing is slow.

Spanish mackerel and king mackerel move into the sound during summer and early fall, particularly in July through September. They are faster and more aggressive than the resident species and require heavier tackle and faster retrieves.

Seasons and Water Conditions

Fall (September through November) is the most consistent season. Water clarity improves as summer heat breaks, redfish and seatrout are aggressive, and Spanish mackerel are still present. Winds tend to be moderate, making the boat ride manageable. October is often considered the peak month.

Spring (March through May) offers similar conditions to fall—clear water, active fish, and moderate weather. Seatrout spawn in late spring, concentrating them in the shallows. The main drawback is unpredictable weather as cold fronts move through the Gulf.

Summer (June through August) brings heat and algae blooms that can reduce water clarity. Fish are present but often retreat to deeper water during midday. Early morning and late afternoon sessions are most productive. Spanish mackerel are at their peak in July and August.

Winter (December through February) is the slowest season. Water temperatures drop into the 50s, fish become sluggish, and cold fronts create rough conditions. Some anglers fish on calm days, but success is lower and conditions are less predictable.

Regulations and Licensing

A Mississippi saltwater fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. Licenses are available online through the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources website, at tackle shops in Biloxi, or at the Small Craft Harbor. A three-day license costs less than a full-year license if you are visiting.

Redfish have a 18-inch minimum size and a 2-fish daily bag limit in Mississippi Sound. Spotted seatrout have a 12-inch minimum and a 15-fish daily bag limit. Flounder have a 12-inch minimum and a 10-fish daily bag limit. These regulations apply to all of Mississippi Sound, including the waters around Round Island. Bag limits and size restrictions can change, so check the current regulations before you fish.

Spanish mackerel have a 12-inch minimum and a 15-fish daily bag limit. King mackerel regulations are more complex and depend on whether you are fishing state or federal waters; check the current rules if you target them.

Tackle and Techniques

For redfish and seatrout in the shallows, light to medium spinning tackle works well. A 6.5- to 7-foot rod with 15- to 20-pound braid and a fluorocarbon leader is standard. Topwater plugs, soft plastics (3 to 4 inches), and small spoons all produce. Sight-fishing—poling or drifting and casting to visible fish—is the most effective method when water is clear.

For flounder on the deeper edges, use slightly heavier tackle and live baitfish or soft plastics fished on the bottom. Flounder are ambush predators and respond to bait presented near structure or drop-offs.

For Spanish mackerel, use 20- to 30-pound braid and a wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader to resist their sharp teeth. Small spoons, shad-pattern plugs, and live mullet all work. Cast near the island perimeter and retrieve quickly.

Practical Details for Your Trip

Bring plenty of water and sun protection—there is no shade on the water and the sun reflects off the shallows. Wear polarized sunglasses to see fish in the water. A hat and long-sleeved shirt reduce sun exposure. Sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher is essential.

Check the weather and sea conditions before you leave. Mississippi Sound can turn rough quickly, and a 12-mile run in choppy water is uncomfortable and potentially unsafe. Calm conditions are most common in early morning; afternoon winds often pick up. If you are launching your own boat, confirm the tide and plan your fishing around it—incoming and outgoing tides both produce, but slack tide can be slow.

Bring a cooler with ice for fish and drinks. The boat ride back to Biloxi takes as long as the ride out, so plan for a full day. Most anglers fish from dawn to early afternoon, then head back before afternoon winds build.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wade fish at Round Island?

No. The island itself is protected and off-limits to landing. Fishing is done from a boat in the surrounding shallows. You can wade in the flats around the island if your boat is anchored in shallow water, but you cannot step foot on the island.

What is the best time of day to fish Round Island?

Early morning, from sunrise to mid-morning, is most productive. Fish are more active and water is calmer before afternoon winds build. Late afternoon can also be good, but the boat ride back to Biloxi in fading light is less safe.

Do I need a guide or charter to fish Round Island?

No, but a guide is helpful if you are unfamiliar with the area. The waters are navigable with a GPS and chart, but knowing where fish concentrate and how to read the tides saves time. Charters are available through Biloxi marinas if you do not have your own boat.

What happens if the water is murky?

Sight-fishing becomes difficult or impossible in murky water. Redfish and seatrout are still present but harder to locate. Switch to casting blind along structure and drop-offs, or move to a different area of the sound where water clarity is better. Flounder fishing can actually improve in slightly stained water.

How far offshore is Round Island?

Round Island is roughly 12 miles south of Biloxi in Mississippi Sound. It is in state waters, not federal waters, so state regulations apply. The boat ride from Biloxi takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on sea conditions and your boat speed.