Alabama has a long fishing history and it has a large variety of fish and the opportunities to catch them. Going fishing in Alabama you will get to choose to fish in fresh water or salt water. This state has many river systems and tributaries, farm ponds and reservoirs, inshore and off shore water this due to its proximity to the gulf. Bass fishing is a favorite past time of the locals. They do it for fun or sport. The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society was started in Montgomery in 1967. This society hosts numerous contest and tournaments throughout the year.

Bodies of Water

Alabama has 47 man made reservoirs. These cover more than 550 acres (2.0km). They are on 551,221 acres of land and are stocked by the fish and game commission. You can also go fishing in Alabama in one of its 23 public lakes. It also has 77,000miles of streams and rivers. The mobile Delta is a part of that river system. You might want to fish the gulf of Mexico or from any point on the over 60 miles of shoreline. There are all types of waterways to go fishing in Alabama in. the choice is yours.

Fresh Water Fishing in Alabama

There are over 42 varieties of fresh water fish in rivers, lakes and streams of Alabama. The Large Mouth Bass is the Official fresh water fish of the state. Big Rivers and reservoirs are the main places that are being fished but if you want to do some fishing off the beaten path you have hundreds of streams creeks and ponds to choose from. There have been many fish records set and broken by people fishing in Alabama. Below under species you will find a list of ten of the most popular

Salt Water Fishing in Alabama

A lot of anglers prefer Deep Sea fishing in Alabama waters on the Gulf of Mexico. The access points for these excursions are mobile and Perido Bays. The brackish waterways are also excellent spots for fishing in Alabama. The mixture of salt and fresh water allows both ocean dwellers and the denizens of the fresh water rivers to coexist. They are located in both the upper and lower Mobile Bay and travel all the way from the Mississippi Sound’s Grand Bay on the West Coast to Perido Bay. Perido is in orange Beach, Alabama on the lower East Coast. There are more than one hundred game species of game fish being caught regularly in the gulf waters off the shores of Alabama.

Local Species Fresh Water

The waters of Alabama are teeming with life. There are so many species of fish that we do not have space to name them all. Here are 10 of the most popular game fish.

Licenses and Permits

In every state there are slight differences in what you need in order to obtain a fishing license. The prices also vary from state to state. Here is a run down of Alabama.  A freshwater fishing license allows any resident to go fishing in Alabama from age 16 to 64. Senior citizens over the age of 65 do not need a license but must be able to prove age and residency. A license grants the holder the privilege to go fishing in Alabama in any freshwater allover the state. It also allows the holder to enter the Wildlife Heritage Reserve. Here are a list of the various licenses and pricing:

1. 64LIFETIME –64-year-old citizens can purchase an annual license with lifetime privileges.
2. WILDLIFE HERITAGE– you may fish with a hook and line on freshwater banks go fishing in the Public Fishing Lakes that are maintained by the WWF (a daily lake permit must also be purchased for each visit). The license expires on August 31 each year.
3. SALTWATER FISHING –these allow a resident between the ages of 16-64 to go saltwater fishing in Alabama. The cost varies and will be on the application
4. SPEAR FISHING – any resident of Alabama that is 16-64 can spear any non-game or commercial fish while underwater in the lakes, rivers and streams. And this permit is also used for saltwater the cost varies so check the application it should be listed there.
5. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES– this license let a totally disabled citizen fish the salt and fresh waters of Alabama. They will need their doctor to fill out the application. Cost is $1.00
6. DISABLED VETS –the disabled vet who is between 16-64 may fish in the fresh waters only with this license. The VA has to qualify certify the veteran at 20% disability. Cost $3.00
7. WIRE BASKET – residents of Alabama may catch any non-game fish in public freshwater with one although some counties prohibit it. The cost varies.

NOTE: Any resident may fish the banks of any fresh water in their county of residence. Must be able to prove residency when asked.

Alabama like most states set limits to ensure the continue population of the species. Left unchecked some species would be extinct from over fishing. Be fish friendly and make sure they are around for future anglers.