Alabama Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ Creel/possession limits apply to all public waters except certain state/federally managed lakes and ponds.
- ⚠ Total length measured from front of mouth to tip of tail, mouth and tail closed.
- ⚠ Sturgeon and paddlefish: closed season - all must be returned immediately.
- ⚠ Trotlines/snag lines: max 100 hooks total for non-commercial fishermen; must be tagged.
- ⚠ Tournament-held fish for live release exempt from creel limits.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, Alabama, shoal, redeye group) | 10 (no more than 5 smallmouth) | Reservoir-specific limits (Guntersville 15 in; Harris 13-16 in slot; Smith 13-15 in slot; Eufaula 14 in; Pickwick 15 in) |
| Walleye | 2 | Closed on several Coosa river system waters |
| Sauger | 5 | Min 15 in |
| White bass | 15 | |
| Yellow bass | 15 | |
| Saltwater striped bass & hybrids | 15 (max 5 over 22 in) | Chattahoochee: 15 (only 2 over 22 in) |
| Crappie | 30 | Min 9 in (exemptions: small impoundments, Weiss, Bear Creek, Chattahoochee reciprocal) |
| Catfish | No limit under 34 in; 1 over 34 in | |
| Bream (bluegill, redear, etc.) | 50 | |
| Rainbow trout | 5 | Sipsey Fork: 2 rods max, no culling |
| Alligator gar | 1 | |
| Skipjack herring | 50 | No sale from Tennessee River |
| Yellow perch | No limit |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Guntersville Reservoir & Town Creek
- No bass under 15 in.
Harris Reservoir
- No largemouth 13-16 in.
Lewis Smith Reservoir
- No largemouth/Alabama/spotted 13-15 in; striped bass max 2 over 22 in.
Lake Eufaula (Walter F. George)
- Bass: min 14 in.
Pickwick Reservoir
- No smallmouth/largemouth under 15 in.
Weiss Reservoir
- Crappie min 10 in.
Chattahoochee tributaries
- Shoal bass possession illegal in Little Uchee, Uchee, Osanippa, Halawakee, Wacoochee creeks.
Lake Martin
- Bass: min 16 in (some arms); striped bass rules.
Lewis Smith Lake
- Striped bass: max 2 over 22 in; no bass 13-15 in.
Lake Guntersville
- Bass: min 15 in.
Weiss Lake
- Crappie: min 10 in.
Pickwick Lake
- Bass: min 15 in.
Logan Martin Lake
- Bass: min 16 in.
Lake Wedowee (R.L. Harris)
- Bass: 13-16 in slot (largemouth).
Wheeler Lake
- Bass: min 15 in (statewide reservoir rules).
Lake Jordan
- Bass: min 16 in.
Seasons
Most species open year-round; paddlefish and sturgeon closed.
Licence Fees
Alabama fishing license required (resident/non-resident); fees per ADCNR.
Edition: 2026 Alabama Fishing Daily Creel & Possession Limits (ADCNR) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: Alabama Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources (outdooralabama.com)
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