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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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How to Get an Alabama Fishing License and Cost?
You’re planning for your next fishing trip to Alabama, and you can’t hold your excitement. But before you can do anything, you’ll have to go through the trouble of getting a fishing license.
Familiar with this feeling? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.
In this article, I’ll discuss everything related to Alabama and its fishing license, including how and where you can get one, its requirements, and its cost.
Read on for more information!
Why Do You Need a Fishing License?
I know it is annoying to go through the whole process of getting a license to go fishing. Is it not your right to fish in lakes around your area? Yes, you do have the right.
However, when everyone is allowed to fish as much as they want, aquatic life becomes
endangered, leading to extinction.
For example, the Chinese Paddlefish was declared extinct in 2019 due to overfishing. Moreover, the Bluefin Tuna is currently on its way to extinction because of this very reason.
This is where fishing licenses come into play. When you go out into the lakes and rivers of Alabama, you can catch and keep a limited number of fish in a day. If you exceed that limit, you’ll have to pay huge fines (government officials have the right to fine you).
Moreover, a fishing license lets you fish only for certain species. If you catch a different one, you’re supposed to release it back into the water to avoid any fines.
Also, the revenue generated from people buying fishing licenses goes into research about aquatic life in these areas. This can help preserve the different species more effectively.
So, by purchasing a fishing license, you’re contributing and doing your part in preserving aquatic wildlife and preventing poachers from overfishing.
Who Needs a License to Fish in Alabama?
If you’re a resident of Alabama, the law is a bit easier for you. For starters, anyone below 16 or above 65 years doesn’t need a fishing permit. You’re free to head out and fish just about anywhere without worrying about getting a license.
However, you have to show proof of permanent residency within Alabama. This could be in the form of an Alabama driver’s license.
If not, you’ll have to show an employment certificate, health insurance forms that have your address, or other legal documents that show you’re a permanent resident.
The same goes for military officials and service members who are residents. All you’ll have to do is keep proof of permanent residency, and you’re good to go.
In the case of non-residents, things are a bit stricter. For instance, anyone who’s above 16 years must have an Alabama fishing license at all times. Plus, it’s a bit pricier than it is for residents of Alabama (more on costs later).
Do veterans need a fishing license in Alabama?
In Alabama, there are certain exemptions and privileges for veterans when it comes to fishing licenses. According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, resident veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability or are legally blind are eligible for a free fishing license. This exemption applies to both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
To qualify for the exemption, veterans must provide proof of their eligibility, such as a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) stating their 100% service-connected disability or blindness. The exemption also extends to nonresident veterans who are Alabama residents for at least 90 days and meet the same disability or blindness criteria.
Do disable people need a fishing license in Alabama?
In Alabama, disabled individuals are generally required to have a fishing license to engage in fishing activities. However, as mentioned earlier, there is an exemption for resident veterans who have a 100% service-connected 
disability or are legally blind. They are eligible for a free fishing license.
For non-veterans with disabilities, a fishing license is typically required. However, there may be specific provisions or accommodations for individuals with disabilities in terms of fishing licenses or permits. It is advisable to contact the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or the relevant fishing licensing authority in Alabama to inquire about any special provisions or exemptions for disabled individuals. They will be able to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding fishing licenses for disabled individuals in Alabama.
Is there an extra cost for a trout fishing license in Alabama?
In Alabama, a trout fishing license is not required for anglers who are fishing in waters where trout are stocked as a part of the state’s stocking program. These waters include the Sipsey Fork (Smith Lake tailwater) and certain sections of the Little River, Locust Fork, and Upper Bear Creek. Anglers can fish for trout in these designated areas with a regular fishing license.
However, if you plan to fish for trout in other waters that are not included in the stocking program, you will need to purchase a trout fishing license.
Is there a saltwater fishing License in Alabama?
Yes, there is a saltwater fishing license requirement in Alabama for individuals who engage in saltwater fishing. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issues a separate license specifically for saltwater fishing activities.
The saltwater fishing license is required for both residents and non-residents who are 16 years of age or older. It allows individuals to fish in Alabama’s coastal waters, including the Gulf of Mexico. The license covers various saltwater species and fishing methods.
It’s important to note that specific fees and regulations may apply to the saltwater fishing license, and they can vary depending on factors such as residency status, duration of the license, and age of the angler.
Can you buy a lifetime fishing license in Alabama?
Yes, it is possible to purchase a lifetime fishing license in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources offers lifetime fishing licenses for residents of Alabama. These licenses provide the holder with the privilege to fish in Alabama’s freshwater and saltwater areas for the duration of their lifetime.
The cost of a lifetime fishing license varies depending on the age of the individual at the time of purchase. The fees are typically higher for older age groups. Purchasing a lifetime license can be a convenient option for individuals who plan to fish in Alabama for an extended period. Lifetime fishing licenses may have certain restrictions or additional requirements.
Do senior citizens have to buy a fishing license in Alabama?
Senior citizens in Alabama are still required to purchase a fishing license. There is no specific exemption or free fishing license for senior citizens based on age alone.
Senior citizens are subject to the same fishing license requirements as other residents and non-residents in Alabama. They would need to purchase the appropriate fishing license, whether it’s a freshwater or saltwater license, depending on the type of fishing they plan to engage in.
Are there discounts for Alabama fishing licenses for veterans and disabled veterans?
Yes, there are discounts available for Alabama fishing licenses for veterans and disabled veterans. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provides reduced-cost fishing licenses for resident veterans and disabled veterans.
Resident veterans with a service-connected disability of 20% or more can obtain a discounted fishing license at a reduced fee. Similarly, disabled veterans with a service-connected disability of 40% or more are also eligible for a discounted fishing license.
To qualify for these discounted licenses, veterans must provide proof of their eligibility, such as documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) confirming their service-connected disability.
Types of Fishing Licenses
Before I dive into how you can get an Alabama fishing permit, let’s understand its different types. It’s a tad bit complicated, but I’ll try to simplify it as much as possible.
Freshwater License
The term freshwater refers to lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, and such. Alabama has an abundance of freshwater bodies, with 132000 miles of rivers and streams flowing through it.
The freshwater license in Alabama is purchased annually and includes privileges of the Wildlife Heritage license (permission to fish in waters protected under the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries).
It gives you the right to fish for certain species such as the White Bass, Catfish, etc., in limited numbers.
Saltwater License
This license lets you fish saltwater species in Mobile Bay and other coastal bays of Alabama and typically costs less than a freshwater permit. You can purchase either an annual license or one that lasts for seven days.
Public Fishing Lakes Daily License
Don’t want to spend a ton on an annual license but still want to experience the joy of fishing once 
or twice a year? Get yourself a PFL daily permit, which allows you to fish in any lake owned by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
Spearfishing License
This allows you to go spearfishing, but you’ll have to purchase either a freshwater or saltwater license along with it, depending on where you’ll do this activity.
Other Licenses
For disabled citizens, there is a separate fishing license, for which you’ll have to show certificates of proof of your disability.
There are also other types that include licenses for commercial fishing and freshwater mussel, the latter being exceptionally costly.
How to Get an Alabama Fishing License
Deciding where you’ll go fishing and what license you should get is the hard part. From here, it’s pretty easy.
To get your license, go ahead to your county’s probate office or license commissioner’s office.
Alternatively, you can go to Walmart (yep, you read that right) or a registered tackle shop near you. And in case you’re wondering, yes, fishing licenses from Walmart and other authorized retailers are 100% authentic and legitimate.
Upon inquiry, you’ll have to let the person in charge know what kind of license you want, the purpose behind purchasing it, and where you’re planning to go fishing.
After this, they’ll ask you to provide the required documents (usually including your driver’s license, social security number, and proof of residency).
Next, you’ll have to fill out some forms and pay the required fee. And voilà, you’re done! You’ll receive your fishing license after a few days (it’s unlikely you’ll get it on your first visit because it takes some time to process your request).
Also, if you don’t want to step outside your house, go ahead and purchase it online. Within a few clicks, you’ll be done with the whole process.
How Much Does an Alabama Fishing License Cost?
As mentioned earlier, fishing licenses in Alabama cost less for residents than for non-residents. At the time of writing, here’s how much you need to pay for different licenses under each category:
Residents
- Freshwater annual: $13.85
- Saltwater annual: $24.95
- Saltwater trip: $10.15
- PFL Daily: $6.40
- Spearfishing: $6.00
- Disabled resident freshwater: $3.05
- Disabled resident saltwater: $3.05
Non-residents
- Freshwater annual: $53.30
- Freshwater trip: 29.95
- Saltwater annual: $52.20
- Saltwater trip: $28.85
- PFL Daily: $7.50
- Spearfishing annual: $8.50
- Spearfishing trip: $3.50
Note: annual licenses expire on 31st August each year, and need to be renewed on 1st September. Hence, you may be fined if you’re found fishing with an expired license.
Lifetime license for Alabama fishing
If you find the idea of buying and renewing licenses too fussy, you can get a lifetime freshwater or saltwater license. This means that you’ll have to pay and purchase it only once without renewing it every year.
Plus, it lets you fish in Alabama even if you move out of the state.
But at what cost? Well, the prices vary with age, privilege, and type of water, but I can tell you that it’s not cheap.
The cost of lifetime fishing licenses in Alabama varies depending on factors such as age and residency status. The following are general fee ranges for lifetime fishing licenses in Alabama:
- Lifetime Resident Fishing License: Typically ranges from $279.60 to $559.20.
- Lifetime Senior Resident Fishing License (65 years and older): Typically ranges from $15.30 to $28.10.
- Lifetime Non-Resident Fishing License: Typically ranges from $559.20 to $1,118.40.
Visit the official website of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for more information regarding the varying costs.
Top Fishing Destinations in Alabama
Alabama offers numerous fantastic fishing destinations for anglers of all skill levels. Here are some of the top fishing destinations in Alabama:
- Mobile Bay: Known for its diverse saltwater fishing opportunities, Mobile Bay offers excellent chances to catch speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and sheepshead.
- Lake Guntersville: Located in northern Alabama, Lake Guntersville is renowned for its bass fishing. It is home to numerous fishing tournaments and offers opportunities to catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish.
- Dauphin Island: Situated along the Gulf Coast, Dauphin Island provides both surf fishing and bay fishing opportunities. You can target species such as redfish, speckled trout, flounder, pompano, and sheepshead.
- Lake Eufaula: Known as the “Bass Fishing Capital of the World,” Lake Eufaula is a premier destination for bass anglers. The lake is also abundant with crappie, catfish, and bream.
- Pickwick Lake: Located in the northwest corner of Alabama, Pickwick Lake is a favorite spot for bass fishing. It is also known for its excellent opportunities to catch sauger, catfish, and various panfish species.
- Lake Martin: With its clear waters and scenic beauty, Lake Martin is popular for bass fishing. Additionally, the lake offers opportunities to catch striped bass, crappie, and catfish.
- Weiss Lake: Known as the “Crappie Capital of the World,” Weiss Lake is famous for its crappie fishing. The lake also offers opportunities to catch bass, catfish, and bream.
Lake Guntersville
For catching Largemouth Bass and Sunfish, give Alabama’s largest lake, Guntersville, a visit. It’s situated between Bridgeport and Guntersville, attracting many for its scenic beauty.
Lake Guntersville is one of the premier fishing destinations in Alabama and is renowned for its excellent bass fishing. Here are some more details about fishing in Lake Guntersville:
Lake Guntersville is known for its trophy-sized largemouth bass. The lake consistently produces big bass and has hosted numerous professional bass fishing tournaments. Anglers can find bass throughout the year, with prime fishing seasons typically in the spring and fall.
Lake Guntersville is characterized by its extensive grass beds and aquatic vegetation, which provide excellent cover and habitat for bass. Anglers often target areas with hydrilla, milfoil, and other submerged vegetation. Additionally, the lake has various structures like submerged timber, ledges, and rock piles that hold fish.
Anglers use a variety of techniques to catch bass in Lake Guntersville. Some popular methods include flipping and pitching jigs or soft plastics into grassy areas, topwater lures like buzz baits and frogs early in the morning or late in the evening, crankbaits along ledges and structures, and swimbaits or spinnerbaits around grass edges.
While bass fishing is the main draw, Lake Guntersville also offers good opportunities for crappie, catfish, and bream fishing. Crappie can be found around submerged structures and brush piles. Catfish can be caught using various baits, and bream fishing is popular near docks and shoreline cover.
Due to its popularity, Lake Guntersville has many experienced fishing guides available who can provide valuable local knowledge and help anglers have a successful fishing trip. The lake also hosts numerous fishing tournaments, including professional bass fishing events.
Lake Guntersville offers numerous boat ramps, marinas, and public fishing piers for easy access to the water. Additionally, there are fishing resorts and accommodations available in the area.
Gulf State Park Pier
This 1540 feet long pier is one of the most convenient places to fish at, and also gives out legitimate fishing licenses. Hence, if you don’t have a fishing license, you can easily get a daily permit on the spot and fish for a variety of species.
Perdido Pass
Here at Perdido Pass, at the mouth of the Perdido River, you can fish for several species like Redfish and Speckled Trout throughout the year. During Summer, you can plan a trip to catch Spanish Mackerel as well.
Fishing at Perdido Pass, located on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, offers anglers a variety of fishing opportunities. Here’s more information about fishing at Perdido Pass:
- Inshore Fishing: Perdido Pass provides access to the inshore waters of Perdido Bay and the surrounding area. Anglers can target a range of species, including speckled trout, redfish (red drum), flounder, sheepshead, black drum, and Spanish mackerel. These species can be caught using a variety of techniques such as live bait, artificial lures, and bottom fishing with shrimp or cut bait.
- Nearshore and Offshore Fishing: Perdido Pass also provides access to the nearshore and offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Depending on the season and conditions, anglers can target species such as king mackerel, cobia, snapper, grouper, amberjack, and various species of reef fish. Offshore fishing opportunities may require a longer boat ride to reach productive fishing grounds.
- Jetties and Bridges: The jetties and bridges near Perdido Pass can be productive fishing spots. These structures attract a variety of fish species, including sheepshead, redfish, black drum, and flounder. Fishing with live or cut bait near the rocks and pilings can be effective.
- Surf Fishing: The sandy beaches near Perdido Pass offer opportunities for surf fishing. Species such as pompano, whiting, redfish, and Spanish mackerel can be targeted from the shoreline. Common techniques include using live or fresh bait, casting lures, or using surf rigs.
- Charter Fishing: Perdido Pass is home to several fishing charters and guides who specialize in both inshore and offshore fishing. Booking a charter can be a great option for those looking to maximize their fishing experience and access the best fishing spots with the guidance of experienced captains.
- Fishing Regulations: It is important to familiarize yourself with the fishing regulations in the area, including size and bag limits, closed seasons, and any specific gear restrictions. Ensure that you have the appropriate fishing license and adhere to all local fishing regulations.
Always pay attention to weather and water conditions, as they can impact fishing success and safety. Additionally, local bait and tackle shops can provide valuable information on the current fishing conditions, recommended baits, and techniques specific to Perdido Pass.
So if you live near the Florida/Alabama state line, drop by Perdido Pass for a beautiful view while fishing.
Lay Lake
Located on the Coosa River, south of Birmingham, you can visit Lay Lake to find solitude and peace. Various sorts of Bass, Catfish, and bluegill are popular species here.
Fort Morgan Peninsula
This peninsula on Dauphin Island is great for catching King and Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, Trout, and much more. Additionally, south of Fort Morgan is Dixey Bar, a popular fishing spot, which is home to some enormous Bull Redfish.
Wheeler Lake
Being Alabama’s second-largest lake, Wheeler Lake is ideal for catching some delicious Bass and a variety of Catfish. If you happen to live near Morgan County, this is probably the best place to visit.
Wheeler Lake is located on the Tennessee River in northern Alabama. Wheeler Lake is renowned for its excellent bass fishing opportunities. It is known for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The lake has hosted numerous bass fishing tournaments and is considered one of the top bass fishing destinations in the region.
Anglers can target bass throughout the year, with the spring and fall being particularly productive.
n addition to bass, Wheeler Lake offers a variety of other game fish species. These include crappie, catfish (such as channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish), sauger, white bass, and striped bass. These species provide anglers with diverse fishing options throughout the year.
Wheeler Lake offers a wide range of fishing techniques. For bass, popular methods include fishing with plastic worms, jigs, crankbaits, topwater lures, and swimbaits. Crappie can be targeted with jigs or minnows around submerged structures and brush piles. Catfish can be caught using various baits such as cut bait, liver, or stink baits.
- Structure and Cover: Wheeler Lake features a variety of structures and covers that attract fish. These include submerged timber, ledges, brush piles, rocky points, and weed beds. Anglers often focus their efforts on these structures and cover to increase their chances of success.
- Fishing Access: Wheeler Lake provides numerous public boat ramps and access points, making it easily accessible for boating and fishing. There are also fishing piers and shoreline areas where anglers can fish from the bank.
- Fishing Guides: Hiring a fishing guide is a popular option for visitors to Wheeler Lake, especially those seeking to optimize their fishing experience. Local fishing guides have extensive knowledge of the lake and can provide valuable insights and guidance.
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to
USA by NUMBERS
Final Words
Issuing licenses is vital to regulate fishing within states. However, if you’re fishing on a private pond or fishing from a bank in your local county using hook and line, you don’t need a fishing license. Just make sure you have proof of residency, your driver’s license, or non-driver’s ID.
Fishing in Alabama offers a diverse range of opportunities for anglers. To legally fish in Alabama, individuals are generally required to have a fishing license. The cost of fishing licenses in Alabama can vary based on factors such as residency status, age, and duration of the license.
It is recommended to consult the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or its official website for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding fishing license fees.
Alabama boasts several top fishing destinations, including Mobile Bay, Lake Guntersville, Dauphin Island, Perdido Pass, Wheeler Lake, and more. These locations offer different fishing experiences, such as saltwater fishing, bass fishing, inshore fishing, and offshore fishing. Each destination has its own unique characteristics, species, and fishing techniques.
Local fishing guides and charters can provide valuable knowledge and assistance for a successful fishing trip.
It is essential for anglers to be aware of and follow fishing regulations, including bag limits, size restrictions, and closed seasons. Additionally, practicing responsible fishing, respecting the environment, and using proper catch-and-release techniques contribute to the conservation and sustainability of Alabama’s fisheries.
Overall, fishing in Alabama provides a wealth of opportunities for anglers of all skill levels, from coastal saltwater fishing to freshwater bass fishing. Exploring the diverse fishing destinations, acquiring the appropriate fishing licenses, and being mindful of fishing regulations ensure an enjoyable and rewarding fishing experience in Alabama.
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