Alabama state waters, out to 3 miles
Dogfish are sharks and AL lists no separate dogfish rule; umbrella applied by inference.
AL MRD 2026 · checked · likely · the official rulebook is the final word
Alabama state record
Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Small gray shark with flat pavement teeth — it gums, not bites. More on the smooth dogfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for smooth dogfish in Alabama?
54 in fork length minimum. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many smooth dogfish can you keep in Alabama?
1 per person per day. Counts toward the All Other Shark Species aggregate.
When is smooth dogfish season in Alabama?
Open year-round.
What is the Alabama record smooth dogfish?
17 lb 11.2 oz (2016).
How current is this Alabama smooth dogfish 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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