Alabama state waters, out to 3 miles
AL MRD 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
The water you are in decides. the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council writes the rule past the line.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Often mistaken for
Greater amberjackEye stripe runs into the first dorsal. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Alabama state record
Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Smallest amberjack; eye stripe ends before the dorsal, big eye. More on the lesser amberjack page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Lesser amberjack in other states9 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for lesser amberjack in Alabama?
14-22 in fork length slot. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many lesser amberjack can you keep in Alabama?
20-fish reef fish aggregate. Aggregate: Reef fish aggregate (20).
When is lesser amberjack season in Alabama?
Open year-round.
What is the Alabama record lesser amberjack?
2 lb 3.2 oz (2023).
How current is this Alabama lesser amberjack rule?
Source: AL MRD 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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