Saltwater Recreational Size & Creel Limits

RECREATIONAL SIZE & CREEL LIMITS - JANUARY 2018

This is not an official copy of the laws or regulations. This explanation of the laws and regulations is correct as of the date specified. Before taking part in this fishery please call 251-861-2882 or 215-968-7576 or explore this website for updated information. It is the fisherman's responsibility to know the laws and regulations in effect at any given time.

A saltwater fishing license is required for ALL PERSONS FISHING OR POSSESSING FISH IN SALTWATER AREAS OF ALABAMA.  Residents and non-residents under the age of 16 are exempt.  Residents age 65 and over are exempt.  Residents may fish from a licensed public fishing pier in the inside waters without purchasing a fishing license.  A saltwater fishing license is also required if using a cast net, gig, bow, crab trap, or spearfishing.

Alabama residents 65 or older, lifetime saltwater license holders, and those fishing from licensed public fishing piers must be registered with the Alabama Saltwater Angler Registry.

RECREATIONAL SIZE, DAILY CREEL AND POSSESSION LIMITS FOR STATE WATERS - REVISED January 2018

(#) Alabama state waters open and close along with federal regulations.

Click here   for the NOAA Fisheries Bulletin detailing new openings and closures

*** Mixed species grouper aggregate creel limit: 4 per person (No more than 2 red and 2 gag grouper may be included in grouper aggregate.)

**** Only two Striped Bass are allowed within MRD Jurisdiction.

***** There is a twenty (20) fish aggregate creel limit for reef fish species (for example, grunts, porgies, gray triggerfish, lane snapper, etc.) for which there is no other bag limit.

****** Oct. 24-Dec. 31, 25 mullet per person from the shoreline or 25 per boat.  No mullet by cast net or snagging in Theodore Industrial Canal, Dog River, Fowl River, and their tributaries.

Sharks

220-3-.77  Shark Fishing

(1)  It shall be unlawful within three hundred feet of the shoreline, or on a public pier, or on a private pier where an unsafe condition is created, on or in the waters of Alabama under the jurisdiction of the Marine Resources Division as provided by rule 220-2-.42, to fish for or target sharks of any species by those methods commonly known as "chumming" or "bloodbaiting".

   (a)  For purposes of this regulation, "chumming" shall be defined as the throwing of bait or fish parts into the water to attract fish.

   (b)  For purposes of this regulation, "bloodbaiting" shall be defined as the use of blood, chemical or synthetic attractants, fish parts, chicken parts, or other animal parts to attract fish or sharks.

(2)  It shall be unlawful, on or adjacent to the waters of Alabama under the jurisdiction of the Marine Resources Division as provided by Rule 220-2-.42, for any person to surf fish for sharks, bow fish for sharks or fish for or target sharks by any other means from any pier or beach in such a manner that presents an unsafe condition to any beach goers, sun bathers, swimmers, or any other person.

Prohibited Species: Goliath Grouper (Jewfish), Nassau Grouper, Atlantic Angel Shark, Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark, Bigeye Sixgill Shark, Bigeye Thresher Shark, Bignose Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Caribbean Sharpnose Shark, Galapogos Shark, Narrowtooth Shark, Night Shark, Sevengill Shark, Sixgill Shark, Dusky Shark, Longfin Mako Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Basking Shark, Whale Shark, White Shark, Smalltail Shark, Smalltooth Sawfish, Largetooth Sawfish, Spotted Eagle Ray, Atlantic Manta Sandbar Shark (unless the fisherman possesses a NOAA Fisheries sandbar shark research permit).