Alabama
saltwater rules

Q: Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Alabama?

A saltwater fishing license is required for everyone 16 and older fishing or possessing fish in Alabama's saltwater areas. Residents 65 and over and anyone under 16 are exempt.

Q: How far out do Alabama state waters go?

3 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line the Alabama Marine Resources Division sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council sets the federal rules, and where Alabama has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

Q: What if a fish is not listed for Alabama?

Alabama sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No bag limit. Season: Open year-round. Species not listed on the AL MRD creel sheet (Revised July 2025, current) have no state size or creel limit; fish harvested in federal or another state's waters without limits must abide by AL limits when possessed in Alabama.

Q: Which catches must be reported in Alabama?

Red Snapper, Gray Triggerfish, Greater Amberjack. Red snapper, gray triggerfish, and greater amberjack landed in Alabama must be reported through Snapper Check before the fish leave the boat — one landing report per vessel trip, wherever the fish were caught.

Q: Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Q: How current are these Alabama rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

The Alabama Marine Resources Division sets the rules inside Alabama’s state waters, out to 3 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council writes the federal rules.

Nearby waters: Florida (Gulf) · Mississippi

102 species with a rule on file, checked Sep 16, 2026. 8 of them carry a federal-waters rule because Alabama lists none of its own; those rows say so. Every row names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

Albacore

Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Alabama lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Almaco Jack

Almaco Seriola rivoliana

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gulf reef fish species with no other AL creel limit.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus thynnus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Alabama lists none of its own.

Size
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73"

Bag
Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026

Season
Open under in-season limits

Open

HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Guitarfish

Pseudobatos lentiginosus

Size
No size limit

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Guitarfish are rays taxonomically; AL does not name them — umbrella applied by inference.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Non-offset non-stainless circle hooks required with natural bait for sharks.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Stingray

Hypanus sabinus

Size
No size limit

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Not on the MRD creel sheet; Gulf sturgeon (A. oxyrinchus desotoi) is federally threatened and a protected nongame species in Alabama — no harvest.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Banded Rudderfish

Seriola zonata

Size
14-22 in fork length slot

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bigeye Tuna

Thunnus obesus

Size
27 in curved fork length minimum

Bag
No creel limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Measured in curved fork length (CFL).
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Black Grouper

Mycteroperca bonaci

Size
24 in total length minimum

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round; state waters follow federal openings/closures

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blackfin Snapper

Lutjanus buccanella

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blacknose Shark

Carcharhinus acronotus

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Alabama lists none of its own.

Size
99" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blue Shark

Blue dog Prionace glauca

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Blueline Tilefish

Caulolatilus microps

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bluntnose Stingray

Hypanus say

Size
No size limit

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus perezii

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Clearnose Skate

Brier skate Rostroraja eglanteria

Size
No size limit

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Cobia

Ling, Lemonfish Rachycentron canadum

Size
36 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person, max 2 per vessel

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Common Snook

Centropomus undecimalis

Size
28 in total length minimum

Bag
1 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Common Thresher

Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Common thresher is not on AL's prohibited list (bigeye thresher is).
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Coney

Cephalopholis fulva

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not named in AL code; treated under the unqualified 'Groupers 4 in aggregate' bag rule.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Cownose Ray

Rhinoptera bonasus

Size
No size limit

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Full retention when using bow, spear, or gig; unlawful to remove tail from a released skate or ray.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Cubera Snapper

Lutjanus cyanopterus

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Dog Snapper

Dogtooth snapper Lutjanus jocu

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Finetooth Shark

Carcharhinus isodon

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Florida Pompano

Trachinotus carolinus

Size
12 in total length minimum

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gag Grouper

Gray grouper Mycteroperca microlepis

Size
24 in total length minimum

Bag
2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
State waters follow federal Gulf season: 2026 open Sept 1 - 30

Open

Mixed-species grouper aggregate 4 per person; no more than 2 gag.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Galapagos Shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Golden Tilefish

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Listed as Tilefish in AL's gulf reef fish definition.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Goliath Grouper

Epinephelus itajara

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gray Triggerfish

Trigger Balistes capriscus

Size
15 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person

Season
State waters follow federal Gulf season; closed annually Jan-Feb and Jun-Jul

Open

Federal quota closure can shorten open windows.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Graysby

Cephalopholis cruentata

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not named in AL code; treated under the unqualified 'Groupers 4 in aggregate' bag rule.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Size
78 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Great White Shark

White shark Carcharodon carcharias

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Greater Amberjack

AJ, Reef donkey Seriola dumerili

Size
34 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person

Season
State waters follow federal Gulf season: 2026 open Sept 1 - Oct 13

Open

AL state waters open and close with federal regulations.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Gulf Flounder

Paralichthys albigutta

Size
14 in total length minimum

Bag
5 per person

Season
Open year-round except Nov 1-30 (take or possession prohibited in November)

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Hogfish

Hog snapper Lachnolaimus maximus

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

No AL size limit; federal Gulf minimum (14 in FL) applies beyond state waters.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
King Mackerel

King, Kingfish, Smoker Scomberomorus cavalla

Size
24 in fork length minimum

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lane Snapper

Lutjanus synagris

Size
10 in total length minimum

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Lesser Amberjack

Seriola fasciata

Size
14-22 in fork length slot

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Mahogany Snapper

Ojanco Lutjanus mahogoni

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Mangrove Snapper

Gray snapper, Mango Lutjanus griseus

Size
12 in total length minimum

Bag
10 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Listed as Gray snapper (mangrove, black).
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Marbled Grouper

Sicklefish grouper Dermatolepis inermis

Federal rule (Gulf federal waters). Alabama lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
See note

Season
Year-round

Check

Not named in the snapper-grouper rules we track; grouper aggregate rules may apply. Check before keeping one — a rare, slow-growing species.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Mutton Snapper

Lutjanus analis

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Nassau Grouper

Epinephelus striatus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Porbeagle

Lamna nasus

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not on AL prohibited list; species does not occur in Gulf waters.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Queen Snapper

Etelis oculatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Drum

Redfish, Puppy drum, Channel bass, Spottail bass Sciaenops ocellatus

Size
16-26 in total length slot

Bag
3 per person, slot only

Season
Open year-round

Open

No oversized fish may be kept.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Grouper

Epinephelus morio

Size
20 in total length minimum

Bag
2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round; state waters follow federal openings/closures

Open

No more than 2 red grouper in the 4-grouper aggregate; federal quota closure possible.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Red Hind

Epinephelus guttatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not named in AL code; treated under the unqualified 'Groupers 4 in aggregate' bag rule.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Red Snapper

Genuine red, American red Lutjanus campechanus

Size
16 in total length minimum

Bag
2 per person

Season
2026 AL season opened May 22, 7 days/week in state and federal waters until quota met or Dec 31

Open

AL sets its own season under state management (2026 private quota 664,552 lb); may close early when quota is met.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Rock Hind

Epinephelus adscensionis

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not named in AL code; treated under the unqualified 'Groupers 4 in aggregate' bag rule.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Alabama lists none of its own.

Size
63" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sand Tiger

Carcharias taurus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Prohibited unless the fisherman holds a NOAA Fisheries sandbar shark research permit.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Size
78 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Scamp Grouper

Broomtail Mycteroperca phenax

Size
16 in total length minimum

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round; state waters follow federal openings/closures

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Schoolmaster Snapper

Lutjanus apodus

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Sheepshead

Convict fish Archosargus probatocephalus

Size
12 in fork length minimum

Bag
8 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Shortfin Mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Silk Snapper

Lutjanus vivanus

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Silky Shark

Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Skipjack Tuna

Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Alabama lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-09-16
Smalltooth Sawfish

Pristis pectinata

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

Also federally endangered.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Smooth Dogfish

Mustelus canis

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Dogfish are sharks and AL lists no separate dogfish rule; umbrella applied by inference.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

Size
78 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Snowy Grouper

Hyporthodus niveatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open when federal Gulf waters are open (currently year-round)

Open

Listed as a Gulf reef fish grouper; covered by the generic 4-grouper aggregate bag.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Southern Flounder

Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

Size
14 in total length minimum

Bag
5 per person

Season
Open year-round except Nov 1-30 (take or possession prohibited in November)

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Southern Stingray

Hypanus americanus

Size
No size limit

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
15 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Speckled Hind

Hyporthodus drummondhayi

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open when federal Gulf waters are open (currently year-round)

Open

Listed as a Gulf reef fish grouper; covered by the generic 4-grouper aggregate bag.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Dogfish are sharks and AL lists no separate dogfish rule; umbrella applied by inference.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Spotted Eagle Ray

Aetobatus narinari

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
Zero

Season
Closed year-round

Put it back

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Spotted Seatrout

Speck, Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus

Size
15-22 in total length slot

Bag
6 per person; 1 over 22 in allowed

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Striped Bass

Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

Size
16 in total length minimum

Bag
2 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Only two striped bass allowed within MRD jurisdiction.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Striped Mullet

Mugil cephalus

Size
No size limit

Bag
No limit; Oct 24 - Dec 31: 25 per person from shoreline or 25 per boat

Season
Open year-round

Open

No mullet by cast net or snagging in Theodore Industrial Canal, Dog River, Fowl River and tributaries.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Summer Flounder

Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

Size
14 in total length minimum

Bag
5 per person

Season
Open year-round except Nov 1-30 (take or possession prohibited in November)

Open

AL rule covers all flounder without naming species; summer flounder rare in Gulf waters.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Alabama lists none of its own.

Size
47" LJFL min

Bag
1 per person, up to 4 per vessel per trip (private); higher for-hire vessel caps

Season
Year-round

Open

May not be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is aboard.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tarpon

Silver king Megalops atlanticus

Size
60 in total length minimum

Bag
$67.00 harvest tag required per fish

Season
Open year-round

Open

Effectively catch-and-release without a purchased tag.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tiger Grouper

Mycteroperca tigris

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Not named in AL code; treated under the unqualified 'Groupers 4 in aggregate' bag rule.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Size
54 in fork length minimum

Bag
1 per person per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Tripletail

Lobotes surinamensis

Size
18 in total length minimum

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Vermilion Snapper

Beeliner, B-liner Rhomboplites aurorubens

Size
10 in total length minimum

Bag
10 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Warsaw Grouper

Hyporthodus nigritus

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open when federal Gulf waters are open (currently year-round)

Open

Listed as a Gulf reef fish grouper; covered by the generic 4-grouper aggregate bag.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
White Marlin

Kajikia albida

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Alabama lists none of its own.

Size
66" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
White Mullet

Mugil curema

Size
No size limit

Bag
No limit; Oct 24 - Dec 31: 25 per person from shoreline or 25 per boat

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL rule says 'Mullet' without naming species.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Winter Skate

Leucoraja ocellata

Size
No size limit

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Umbrella applies by rule text; species does not occur in Gulf waters.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Yellowedge Grouper

Hyporthodus flavolimbatus

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open when federal Gulf waters are open (currently year-round)

Open

Listed as a Gulf reef fish grouper; covered by the generic 4-grouper aggregate bag.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Yellowfin Grouper

Fireback, Princess rockfish Mycteroperca venenosa

Size
20 in total length minimum

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open year-round; state waters follow federal openings/closures

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowfin Tuna

Ahi Thunnus albacares

Size
27 in curved fork length minimum

Bag
3 per person

Season
Open year-round

Open

Measured in curved fork length (CFL).
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Yellowmouth Grouper

Mycteroperca interstitialis

Size
No size limit

Bag
4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate

Season
Open when federal Gulf waters are open (currently year-round)

Open

Listed as a Gulf reef fish grouper; covered by the generic 4-grouper aggregate bag.
AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16 · likely
Yellowtail Snapper

Ocyurus chrysurus

Size
No size limit

Bag
20-fish reef fish aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Every other species

Species not listed on the AL MRD creel sheet (Revised July 2025, current) have no state size or creel limit; fish harvested in federal or another state's waters without limits must abide by AL limits when possessed in Alabama.

Size: No size limit
Bag: No bag limit
Season: Open year-round

AL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Snapper Check

Red snapper, gray triggerfish, and greater amberjack landed in Alabama must be reported through Snapper Check before the fish leave the boat — one landing report per vessel trip, wherever the fish were caught.

Species: Red Snapper, Gray Triggerfish, Greater Amberjack.

How to report · AL MRD · checked 2026-09-04

Report to NOAA within 24 hours

HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.

How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04

Licences and the fine print

A saltwater fishing license is required for everyone 16 and older fishing or possessing fish in Alabama's saltwater areas. Residents 65 and over and anyone under 16 are exempt.
License-exempt anglers — residents 65+, lifetime license holders, and anyone fishing from a licensed public pier — must still register (free) with the Alabama Saltwater Angler Registry.
All Alabama licenses expire August 31. Annual and 7-day trip licenses are sold to residents and non-residents.

Get a Alabama license

Nearby waters: Florida (Gulf) · Mississippi · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about Alabama

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Alabama?