Activities
Fishing
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A free public boat launch and a handicapped-accessible fishing pier are located at the end of Bayou Heron Road on Bayou Heron on the east side of the reserve. The pier is suitable for fishing and crabbing. The waters of the reserve are extremely shallow, especially at low tide; so, only boats that draft a minimal amount of water should attempt to navigate outside of Bayou Heron. Point O'Pines fish camp, which is located on the west side of the reserve on Bayou Cumbest, also maintains a small boat launch but charges a small fee to launch.
Unless you are exempt (under 16 or a Mississippi resident
over 65), a Mississippi saltwater fishing license is required when fishing in
the reserve's tidal waters, and a freshwater license is required when fishing
in isolated ponds, marshes or ditches.
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Saltwater license information
Freshwater license information
Fishing the Mississippi Gulf Coast
2005-2006 Saltwater Fishing Rules and Regulations
Real Time Data:
CDMO Weather and Water Quality
YSI Water Quality
Hunting
Only bow-hunting for deer and duck and squirrel hunting with
shotguns are allowed by permit along with the appropriate Mississippi Hunting
License during designated hunting seasons in the National Wildlife Refuge portion of the reserve. Hunting within the Grand
Bay Savanna Coastal Preserve portion of
the reserve is allowed with the appropriate Mississippi Hunting License during
the appropriate hunting seasons.
Hunters, please be aware that
the reserve is a multi-use area, so extreme caution must be used while hunting
here, especially near trails designated for other purposes.
Mississippi
Hunting license information
Grand Bay N. W. R. Permit
Watchable Wildlife and Plants
The reserve is a great place to go birding, bug watching and butterflying and botanizing. If you are very, very observant it is also a great place see aquatic and marine mammals such as river otters and bottlenose dolphins. Please respect our plant and animal populations when you our visiting our reserve ( See tips )
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Birding/Hiking/Exploration
The Oak Grove Birding Trail
in the reserve is Stop 8 on the recently established Mississippi Coastal
Birding Trail. The site is a maritime, mixed hardwood forest (oaks and
sweetgums) that slopes down towards the marshes that border the upper reaches
of Bayou Heron. To reach this site
from I-10 take exit 75, Franklin Creek Road, south to the stop sign at the
intersection of Hwy. 90. Cross Hwy
90 onto Pecan Rd, and travel on this narrow road until you can take your first
left onto a paved road near the railroad crossing. This is Bayou Heron Road. Carefully cross the tracks and then stay to your right (Remember
Bayou Heron Road turns off to the right and Missala Road continues straight and
then turns off to the left). Continue down this road for approximately 2 miles
(Approximately a mile down the road you will pass the headquarters of the
reserve on your right). A small
brown sign with white letters is located opposite the parking area for the
birding trail.
Birding along this trail is most enjoyable and successful
during the periods of spring and fall migration. Migrants such as Yellow Warblers, Redstarts and Scarlet
Tanagers are some of the most common birds found here in the spring. Portions of the trail can be a bit
soggy, so be sure and wear the appropriate footwear. Don't forget your bug spray!
During the winter months, many overwintering shorebirds,
waterfowl and other birds such as White Pelicans, Common Loons, Mottled Ducks
and Peregrine Falcons utilize the waterways, exposed mudflats and adjacent
marshes of the reserve. Although
you must have a boat to observe most of these birds, a winter birding experience
is worth the extra effort. Consult the Watchable
Wildlife Section for a more complete list of the birds you can find
in the reserve.
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