Alabama Fishing Regulations: Bag Limits, Size Limits and Seasons

These are the statewide daily bag limits and length limits Alabama anglers work under, taken from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) guide for Sep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027. Statewide means the default: most states, Alabama included, override these on specific lakes, rivers and coastal zones, so treat this page as the baseline and the official guide as the rule for the water you are standing on.

Alabama freshwater fishing is open year-round with no statewide closed season. On the coast, flounder is the exception: no harvest during the whole of November. Several reef fish species open and close with the federal season, so check the announced dates before you run offshore. You will still need the Alabama fishing license, which runs $17.45 for residents and $68.20 for non-residents; the Alabama fishing license page covers short-term options, exemptions and where to buy.

AgencyAlabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR)
Regulation yearSep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027
Free fishingFree Fishing Day is the second Saturday in June (June 13, 2026). Residents and visitors can fish public water that day without a license; all other limits still apply.
Official regulation guide License cost

Limits last verified 2026-09-16.

Alabama freshwater bag and length limits

Statewide freshwater limits. Water-specific exceptions in the official guide take precedence.
Species Daily bag Length
Black bass (largemouth, spotted, smallmouth, redeye)No more than 5 smallmouth in the 10. Many reservoirs set their own minimum. 10 combined None statewide
Striped and hybrid striped bassNo more than 5 over 22 inches. 15 combined None statewide
White bass 15 None
Crappie (black and white) 30 combined 9 in. minimum
Bream (bluegill, redear and other sunfish) 50 combined None
Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) No limit under 34 in.; only 1 per day at 34 in. or longer See bag
Sauger 5 15 in. minimum
Walleye 2 None
Rainbow troutStocked put-and-take water only; Alabama has no wild trout fishery. 5 None

Alabama saltwater limits

Headline coastal species. Federal waters and species with quotas can close mid-season; check the official saltwater guide before a trip.
Species Daily bag Length
Red drum (redfish) 3 16-26 in. slot
Spotted seatroutOne of the six may be over 22 inches. 6 15-22 in. slot
Southern flounderNo harvest during November. 5 14 in. minimum
Sheepshead 8 12 in. fork length minimum

Saltwater source: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources saltwater regulations.

How to read a bag limit

A daily bag limit is the number of that species one angler may keep in a day, and in most states also the number you may have in possession on the water. Where a row says "combined", the number is shared across every species named in it. A minimum length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched; a slot means fish inside the range must go back. When a lake has its own rule in the official guide, that rule replaces the statewide one for that water only.

Related: the Alabama fishing license page for the fee and where to buy, non-resident fishing license fees across states, and fishing regulations for every state.

Frequently asked questions

What is the bass limit in Alabama?

Statewide, Alabama allows 10 combined black bass (largemouth, spotted, smallmouth, redeye) per day, with a length rule of none statewide. No more than 5 smallmouth in the 10. Many reservoirs set their own minimum. Individual lakes often carry a different slot or minimum, so check the water-specific exceptions in the official guide.

How many crappie can you keep in Alabama?

The statewide daily limit is 30 combined, size rule 9 in. minimum.

What is the catfish limit in Alabama?

Catfish (channel, blue, flathead): no limit under 34 in.; only 1 per day at 34 in. or longer per day, see bag.

What is the trout limit in Alabama?

Rainbow trout: 5 per day, none. Stocked put-and-take water only; Alabama has no wild trout fishery.

Is there a closed season for fishing in Alabama?

Alabama freshwater fishing is open year-round with no statewide closed season. On the coast, flounder is the exception: no harvest during the whole of November. Several reef fish species open and close with the federal season, so check the announced dates before you run offshore.

When can you fish without a license in Alabama?

Free Fishing Day is the second Saturday in June (June 13, 2026). Residents and visitors can fish public water that day without a license; all other limits still apply.

Do I need a license to fish in Alabama?

Yes for most adults. The annual Alabama fishing license costs $17.45 for residents and $68.20 for non-residents. Freshwater license shown; resident saltwater is a separate $30.05 annual. Non-resident annual is $68.20 for most states, $70.60 for Louisiana residents and $75.42 for Mississippi residents. A non-resident 7-day freshwater trip license is $38.05. See the Alabama fishing license page for short-term options and where to buy.

Where do these Alabama limits come from?

Every figure on this page was read from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) regulation guide for Sep 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027 and last checked on 2026-09-16. The guide, not this page, is the legal document. Use the official source link above before you keep a fish.