You've probably seen those massive, crowded piers in Biloxi or Gulfport where you're elbow-to-elbow with twenty other people trying to cast a line. Honestly, it’s exhausting. But if you head just a little further west to Bay St. Louis, things change. The Jimmy Rutherford Fishing Pier is that "sweet spot" locals try to keep quiet. It’s sitting right there at the north wall of the Bay St. Louis Harbor, basically acting as a gateway between the charming "Old Town" shops and the open water.
It isn't just a wooden walkway. It's about a 1,000-foot stretch of prime real estate for anyone who actually wants to catch fish rather than just stare at the waves.
Most people trip over the name or confuse it with a park in Florida. Let’s get it straight: this is the heart of the Mississippi Coast's fishing scene. Named after James J. "Jimmy" Rutherford—a man who was pretty much the definition of a community pillar in Bay St. Louis—the pier is more than a landmark. It’s a legacy. He was a councilman, a chemical tech, and a guy who spent his life making sure this town stayed special.
What You’re Actually Going to Catch
If you’re coming here expecting just a few nibbles from bait-stealers, you’re in for a surprise. The Jimmy Rutherford Fishing Pier is famous for speckled trout. You can find them here almost year-round. It’s weird, but even when the bite slows down elsewhere, the trout seem to hang out around these pilings.
During the summer, things get interesting. You’ll hear people talking about red snapper, and while that’s usually a deep-sea game, the proximity of the harbor and the way the currents move can bring some "prize" catches closer than you’d think.
- Speckled Trout: Year-round, but early morning is the magic hour.
- Redfish: They love the structure here. Look for them near the harbor walls.
- Flounder: Best in the fall when they’re moving out to the gulf.
- Sheepshead: Winter favorites. They’re "convict fish" because of the stripes and the way they steal your bait.
The Layout: It’s Not Just for Pros
One of the best things? The pier is part of a larger, incredibly well-maintained harbor complex. We’re talking 15 security cameras, 1-gig fiber Wi-Fi (if you’re the type who needs to livestream your catch), and actual, clean restrooms.
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The pier itself serves as the north wall of the harbor basin. This means you have a unique environment where the calm harbor water meets the tidal movement of the bay.
I’ve seen families out here where the dad is technical with a baitcaster on the end of the pier, while the kids are just happy watching the sailboats come in and out of the harbor. There are benches and little huts for shade, which, if you’ve ever spent a July afternoon on the Mississippi coast, you know is a literal lifesaver.
Location and The "Old Town" Perk
You’ll find it at 100 Jody Compretta Drive. Basically, you just drive toward the water in Bay St. Louis until you hit the sea wall.
The location is honestly its biggest selling point. You aren't stuck in the middle of nowhere. You’re steps away from Main Street. If the fish aren't biting, or if you just get hungry, you can walk to places like The Pearl Hotel or any of the local spots for a po-boy. It makes a "fishing trip" feel a lot more like a vacation.
Parking, Fees, and The Truth About "Free"
Let’s talk money. A lot of piers on the coast have started charging $6, $10, or even more just to walk on.
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As of early 2026, the Jimmy Rutherford Fishing Pier remains one of the most accessible spots for the public. While parking in the dedicated harbor lots often requires a permit (especially for boat owners), there is public parking nearby. The pier itself doesn't have a massive gate with a ticket booth like some of the Florida piers. It’s integrated into the boardwalk system of the city.
It's open 24 hours.
That’s the game-changer. If you want to try some midnight shark fishing or hit the "trout lights" at 3:00 AM, you can. There’s something kinda peaceful about being out there at night with the lights of the Bay St. Louis bridge reflecting on the water.
A Few Tips for Success
Don't just show up with a rod and hope for the best.
- Check the Tides: In Bay St. Louis, a moving tide is everything. If the water is stagnant, the fish are usually napping.
- Live Bait is King: There are bait shops nearby, including the one right at the harbor office. Live shrimp will almost always outperform plastic lures here.
- Bring a Pier Net: The walk-up is high. If you hook a 25-inch redfish, you aren't going to "dead lift" him 15 feet into the air without snapping your line.
- Respect the Space: It’s a clean pier. Keep it that way. Use the fish cleaning stations at the harbor instead of leaving a mess on the boards.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of tourists think they need to go out on a $600 charter to catch Mississippi saltwater fish. You don't.
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Sure, a boat gets you to the islands, but the Jimmy Rutherford Fishing Pier puts you right in the path of the same fish moving through the bay. I’ve seen guys pull "bull reds" over the rail that would make a charter captain jealous.
The "Old Town" vibe makes people think it’s just a scenic walkway for tourists. It's not. It is a serious fishing structure. The way the harbor was rebuilt after the storms—specifically the improvements to the north wall—created an artificial reef effect that attracts baitfish, which attracts the big guys.
Actionable Next Steps
Ready to go? Here is exactly how to do it.
First, grab a Mississippi Saltwater Fishing License online. Even if you're just "trying it out," the DMR (Department of Marine Resources) does patrol, and they don't take "I didn't know" as an excuse.
Second, aim for a weekday morning. Weekends get crowded with folks walking their dogs or taking photos, which can make casting a bit of a headache.
Lastly, bring a wagon. It’s a long walk from the parking areas to the end of the pier, especially when you’re hauling a cooler full of ice and three tackle boxes. Once you're out there, settle in near the cleaning station or one of the shaded huts and just watch the water for a minute. The fish are there; you just have to wait for the tide to tell them it's time to eat.