Alabama’s 2024 private angler red snapper season
Alabama state waters and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest on Friday, May 24, 2024. The season will consist of four-day weekends, Friday through Monday, beginning Friday, May 24, and continue until the private angler quota is projected to be met. Additionally, the entire week that includes Independence Day (July 1-5) will be open for red snapper fishing.
*Remember to report your red snapper, gray triggerfish and greater amberjack harvest through Snapper Check. In addition to an Alabama saltwater fishing license or saltwater angler registry a Reef Fish Endorsement is also required to land reef fish in Alabama.
*Operators of vessels with an Alabama Commercial Party Boat License without federal for-hire permits must abide by the state season, possess an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement for charter vessels and may only fish inside the 9-mile state waters line.
NOAA Fisheries Announces the 2023 Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Recreational For-Hire Season
The 2023 red snapper season for vessels with a federal for-hire reef fish permit is 85 days in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
The season for federally permitted for-hire reef fish vessels will open at 12:01am, local time, on June 1, 2023, and will close at 12:01am, local time, on August 25, 2023.
Recreational harvest of Gag Grouper
The recreational harvest of gag grouper will close at 12:01 am on October 19, 2023
Recreational and commercial harvest of Cobia
As of November 21, 2022, the recreational and commercial limit for cobia is 1 fish per person, not to exceed 2 fish per vessel. The size limit remains 36 inches fork length.
Oyster Management Station (OMS) Oyster Grid Map - NEW!
Oyster harvesters can now view their locations and which harvest areas are open with ADCNR's OMS Oyster Grid Map.
Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish
Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish will open March 1, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. and remain open until the annual catch limit is met or projected to be met. The bag limit is 1 per person and 15” minimum fork length. Gray triggerfish is closed annually the months of January/February and June/July.
*Remember to report your catch through Snapper Check. Reef Fish Endorsement is required
Recreational harvest of greater amberjack
Recreational harvest of greater amberjack will open May 1, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. and close at midnight on May 31, 2024. The bag limit is 1 per person and 34" fork length.
*Remember to report your catch through Snapper Check. Reef Fish Endorsement is required.
Regulation Changes Beginning August 1, 2019
Cobia
- 36 inches fork length
Spotted Sea Trout
- Slot Length is 15 inches total length to 22 inches total length
- 6 per person, per day with one over 22 inches total length allowed
Flounder
- 14 inches total length (recreational and commercial)
- Recreational creel limit is 5 per person
- Commercial creel limit is 40 per person or 40 per vessel
- Closed season for flounder is November 1 through November 30 for both recreational and commercial anglers
Hook Requirements
- Anglers fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing gulf reef fish species (as defined in Rule 220-3-.46) must use non-stainless steel circle hooks when using natural bait.
- Anglers fishing for, retaining, or possessing, or landing sharks must use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when using natural bait.
Beginning August 26, 2019
A Reef Fish Endorsement will be available for purchase for recreational licenses beginning August 26, 2019. Commercial license sales will begin on September 16, 2019. The Reef Fish Endorsement will be required for any person possessing, taking or attempting to take any gulf reef fish species listed in Rule 220-3-.46 (see below). This endorsement is required for all resident and non-resident anglers 16 years of age and older, and includes disabled, veterans appreciation, 65 and older, lifetime license holders, pier licenses, annual saltwater licenses, trip licenses, commercial fishermen, and charter boats.
