Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
.jpg){kind=link}
Alabama
State, United States. Authority: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.
2025 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
Trout season 2027: all 50 states
Trout season 2027 guide: 50 statesPDF + online version · instant access
- Licence
- US$75.42Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing (Mississippi residents)
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 35.6 cmLargemouth bass
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2025 season calendar
Not published by the authority: check with Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–60 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Sauger4 statewide | 38.1 cm | |
| Crappie4 public waters, with listed exceptions | 22.9 cm | |
| Largemouth bass4 Walter F. George (Eufaula) and West Point reservoirs only; no statewide minimum size | 35.6 cm |
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (combined)4 no more than 5 may be smallmouth bass | 10 per day |
| Walleye4 closed (no take) in several listed waters (Sweetwater Lake, White Plains Lake, Lake Mitchell and tributaries, Mulberry/Sipsey Fork…) | 2 per day |
| Sauger4 15 in minimum | 5 per day |
| Rainbow trout4 statewide | 5 per day |
| Crappie4 9 in minimum | 30 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Freshwater Fishing (annual)1 | annual (expires Aug 31) | US$17 |
| Resident Freshwater Fishing1 | annual | US$17 |
| Resident Public Fishing Lakes Daily (state-owned county PFLs only)1 | 1-day | US$7.65 |
| Optional Senior Lifetime (residents 65+)1 | lifetime | US$35 |
| Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing (residents of most states, except LA and MS)2 | annual | US$66.25 |
| Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing (Louisiana residents)2 | annual | US$70.55 |
| Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing (Mississippi residents)2 | annual | US$75.42 |
| Non-Resident Freshwater 7-Day Trip2 | 7-day | US$37 |
| Non-Resident Family 3-Day Trip (up to 4 immediate family)2 | 3-day | US$37 |
| Non-Resident Public Fishing Lakes Daily2 | 1-day | US$9 |
Buy the licence on myoutdooralabama.com
- Ages and exemptions3
- Residents under 16 and residents 65 and over are exempt from the freshwater fishing license. Non-residents 16+ need a license; no exemption for non-residents over 65. Residents may also fish from the bank in their county of residence with ordinary hook and line without a license.
Good to know
License year Sept 1 – Aug 31. Black bass 10/day combined (max 5 smallmouth), no statewide bass size limit but slot/minimums on Harris (13-16 in protected), Lewis Smith (13-15 in protected), Eufaula and West Point (14 in min). Walleye 2/day, closed in several waters. Northern pike not listed in Alabama regulations.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- License pages show no explicit year: prices noted as current license year 2026-27 (valid Sept 1 – Aug 31) at consultation date
- No resident trip/1-day general freshwater license found (only Public Fishing Lakes daily)
- No non-resident 1-day general freshwater license (7-day trip is the shortest)
- Creel/size page references the 2025-2026 digest; 2026-27 digest not confirmed
- No trout season stated on the official creel page (no closed season found; not asserted as year-round)
- Northern pike: no regulation listed
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Lake Martin reservoir, Tallapoosa County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye View on the map - Smith Lake reservoir, Cullman County View on the map
- Mobile-Tensaw Delta river, Baldwin County
Largemouth bass, Bluegill View on the map - Tennessee River river, Lauderdale County
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass View on the map - Sipsey Fork (trout fishing below Smith Lake) river, Walker County
Rainbow trout View on the map - Cahaba River river
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Lee County State Public Fishing Lake pond, Lee County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Madison County State Public Fishing Lake pond, Madison County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Rainbow trout View on the map - Dekalb County State Public Fishing Lake pond, DeKalb County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Chambers County State Public Fishing Lake pond, Chambers County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Barbour County State Public Fishing Lake pond, Barbour County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Coffee County State Public Fishing Lake pond, Coffee County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Walker County State Public Fishing Lake pond, Walker County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Rainbow trout View on the map - Marion County State Public Fishing Lake pond, Marion County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Washington County State Public Fishing Lake pond, Washington County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Alabama in 2025?
The “Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing (Mississippi residents)” licence costs US$75.42 (annual). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for largemouth bass in Alabama?
Largemouth bass: 35.6 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Freshwater Fishing Recreational Licenses – Resident (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Freshwater Fishing Recreational Licenses – Non-Resident (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Who is Exempt from Purchasing Recreational Licenses? (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Freshwater Fishing Creel and Size Limits (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- License Information (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked: 23 September 2026.
Other areas in the United States
Would you rather go with a professional?
Tell us about your plans: with your consent, we pass your request on to partner professionals (3 at most) who can send you an offer. Free, no obligation.