Alabama Fishing License
Issued by Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries
Fishing in Alabama
Alabama offers a broad mix of warm-water freshwater and Gulf Coast saltwater fishing. The Tennessee River impoundments — Pickwick, Wilson, and Wheeler — are nationally known for trophy smallmouth, largemouth, and stripers, while the Coosa and Tallapoosa systems hold spotted bass and crappie. Down south, Mobile Bay and the Gulf shoreline produce redfish, speckled trout, flounder, king mackerel, and red snapper. Lakes Eufaula and Guntersville are bucket-list bass destinations.
License Types & Fees
| License | Fee |
|---|---|
| Resident Annual Freshwater (16–64) Includes Wildlife Heritage License | $17.00 |
| Resident Annual Saltwater | $30.05 |
| Resident Saltwater 7-Day Trip | $12.35 |
| Resident Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement Required for any resident 16+ targeting gulf reef species — no exemptions | $10.00 |
| Resident Public Fishing Lakes Daily Valid only at WFF-owned Public Fishing Lakes | $7.65 |
| Resident 65+ Exempt from buying freshwater or saltwater licenses; saltwater anglers still register annually with the AL Saltwater Angler Registry | Free |
| Resident Disabled Freshwater Annual Totally disabled; certification required | $3.50 |
| Resident Disabled Saltwater Annual | $3.50 |
| Resident Veterans Appreciation Freshwater (20%+) | $3.60 |
| Resident Veterans Appreciation Saltwater (20%+) | $3.60 |
| Resident Spearfishing Annual Valid for fresh and salt; appropriate sportfishing license also required | $6.00 |
| Non-Resident Annual Freshwater (most states) | $66.25 |
| Non-Resident Annual Freshwater (LA residents) | $70.55 |
| Non-Resident Annual Freshwater (MS residents) | $75.42 |
| Non-Resident 7-Day Freshwater Trip | $37.00 |
| Non-Resident Family 3-Day Freshwater Trip License holder + up to 4 immediate family members | $37.00 |
| Non-Resident College Student (17–23) Must be enrolled in an approved AL Higher Education Institute | $17.00 |
| Non-Resident Annual Saltwater | $64.90 |
| Non-Resident Saltwater 7-Day Trip | $35.65 |
| Non-Resident Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement | $10.00 |
| Non-Resident Public Fishing Lakes Annual | $15.80 |
| Non-Resident Public Fishing Lakes Daily | $9.00 |
| Non-Resident Spearfishing Annual | $8.50 |
| Non-Resident Spearfishing 7-Day Trip | $3.50 |
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current pricing on the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries website before purchasing.
Recreational licenses run September 1 through August 31. Reciprocal pricing applies to FL, GA, LA, MS, and TN residents. AL residents 65 and over are exempt from buying licenses but saltwater anglers must still register annually with the Saltwater Angler Registry. Residents who buy a license at age 64 are issued a lifetime license. The Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement is required for anyone targeting reef species in saltwater — no age or residency exemptions.
Saltwater Fishing
Saltwater anglers in Alabama are licensed separately by Alabama Marine Resources Division.
Visit Alabama Marine Resources Division →Log Your Alabama Catches
CatchVault is available on iOS. Identify species with AI, measure with LiDAR, and keep a private journal of every fish you land in Alabama.