Click the button below to download the 2020 Marine Resources Calendar
Click the button below to review the proposed regulation change for recreational reporting of certain Gulf reef fish.
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Alabama’s 2020 private angler red snapper season opens Friday, May 22, 2020. The season is anticipated to last for 35 days and is scheduled to close on Friday, July 3, 2020. Weekends only (Friday-Monday).
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Recreational harvest of Greater Amberjack is open May 1, 2020, through May 31, 2020. Creel limit is one per person with a 34 inch fork length.
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Yellowfin Tuna now has a creel limit of 3 per person.
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.
The Alabama Marine Resources Division manages Alabama's marine fisheries resources with assessment and monitoring, applied research, and enforcement programs. The Division offices are located in Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island. Fishing licenses can be purchased at both locations or online.
Saltwater/Freshwater License Boundary
Report Saltwater Fish Kills or Marine Strandings
Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) Information
Download the NEW OutdoorAlabama App now! (Google Play or Apple App Store)
Each year, the Marine Resources Division publishes a tide calendar. The calendars are available at many outdoor retailers in Baldwin and Mobile counties, at the Marine Resources offices in Dauphin Island and Gulf Shores, and is also available to download.
