Fishing Licenses & Fees

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Resident Fishing Licenses: Valid 9/1/2025 – 8/31/2026 (unless otherwise indicated)

Category	License type	Description/info		Fee
Sport Fishing License	Freshwater: Annual*	Required for residents 16 years of age and under 65 years of age who fish with rod and reel, hook and line, or from a boat in public waters. This license is not required to fish with ordinary hook and line, only from bank in county of legal residence.	Includes privileges of Wildlife Heritage License.	$17.00
	Saltwater: Annual*		A SW Reef Fish Endorsement Privilege is also needed to fish gulf reef fish in saltwater.	$30.05
	Saltwater: 7-Day Trip		Trip licenses are valid for 168 consecutive hours.	$12.35
	Saltwater: Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement	A permit is required for any resident age 16 or older to possess, take, or attempt to take gulf reef fish species listed in Rule 220-3-.46. For details, visit the Outdoor Alabama saltwater fishing page. NO EXEMPTIONS		$10.00
Public Fishing Lakes Daily Fishing License (see Public Fishing Lakes)	Public Fishing Lakes	In lieu of a regular fishing license, a resident may purchase to fish at many WFF Division owned Public Fishing Lakes. (Not valid in other public reservoirs, lakes and rivers.) In addition, daily or annual fishing permit still required (available at most lakes).	Trip is valid for 1 day	$7.65
Physically Disabled Freshwater Fishing 3-Day Event License	Freshwater Trip	Event must be sanctioned by DCNR. Allows up to 20 physically disabled persons and their assistant to fish on one event license. $5.00 for each additional participant.	—	$100.00
Physically Disabled Freshwater Fishing 3-Day Event License	Saltwater Trip		—	$100.00
Disabled Fishing License	Freshwater Annual (totally disabled)	Present certification of permanent disability benefit to your local Probate/License Commissioner Office for issuance.	Includes privileges of Wildlife Heritage License.	$3.50
	Saltwater Annual (totally disabled)	Present certification of permanent disability benefit to your local Probate/License Commissioner Office for issuance.	—	$3.50
	Veterans Appreciation (20% disabled)	Present certification by the U.S. Veterans Administration to be 20% or more disabled to your local Probate/License Commissioner Office for issuance.	Freshwater Includes privileges of Wildlife Heritage License.	$3.60
	Veterans Appreciation (20% disabled)		Saltwater	$3.60
Freshwater Commercial Fishing License	Annual	12 month residency proof required. Required for use of any commercial gear. Valid: 10/1/25 – 9/30/26.		$119.00
	Retail Freshwater Fish Dealer	Required to sell commercial or nongame fish direct to the consumer. Valid: 10/1/25 – 9/30/26.		$13.00
	Wholesale Freshwater Fish Dealer	Required to sell commercial or nongame fish for resale. Valid: 10/1/25 – 9/30/26.		$31.00
Freshwater Mussel License	Catcher	12 month residency proof required. Valid: 10/1/25 – 9/30/26.		$301.00
Freshwater Mussel License	Dealer or Buyer	12 month residency proof required. Valid: 10/1/25 – 9/30/26.		$121.00
Spear Fishing License	Annual	Valid for fresh and saltwater. Must also have appropriate sportfishing license.		$6.00
* Residents 64 years of age purchasing a hunting or fishing license are issued the license on a lifetime basis. Saltwater fishing license also required when saltwater fishing by use of any artificial bait, fly, lure, gig, cast net, bow, crab trap (five or less) or spear. Game fish may not be caught by any method other than ordinary hook and line, fly, troll, or spinner. The sale or purchase of game fish taken from public water is prohibited by law in Alabama. Note: Residents 65 years of age and over are exempt from buying freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses, hunting licenses, wildlife management area license or state duck stamp (federal stamp required), provided said resident has on his person, while hunting or fishing, a driver’s license or proof of permanent Alabama residence and age. If fishing in saltwater, residents 65 and over are required to register in the Saltwater Angler Registry each year.

Nonresident Fishing Licenses: Valid 9/1/2025 – 8/31/2026 (unless otherwise indicated)

Category	License type	Description/info		Fee
Sport Fishing License	Freshwater: Annual	Required for nonresidents 16 years of age and older. Required in any public water regardless of tackle used. Special fishing license fees may apply to residents of Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, & Tennessee.	—	$66.25
	Freshwater: 7-Day Trip		Trip licenses are valid for 168 consecutive hours.	$37.00
	Saltwater: Annual		A SW Reef Fish Endorsement Privilege is also needed to fish gulf reef fish in saltwater.	$64.90
	Saltwater: 7-Day Trip		Trip licenses are valid for 168 consecutive hours.	$35.65
	Saltwater: Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement	A permit is required for any nonresident age 16 or older to possess, take, or attempt to take gulf reef fish species listed in Rule 220-3-.46. For more information, visit the Outdoor Alabama saltwater fishing page. NO EXEMPTIONS.		$10.00
Public Fishing Lakes Daily Fishing License (See Public Fishing Lakes)	Daily	In lieu of a regular fishing license, a nonresident may purchase to fish at many WFF Division owned Public Fishing Lakes. (Not valid in other public reservoirs, lakes and rivers.) In addition, daily or annual fishing permit still required (available at most lakes).	Trip is valid for 1 day	$9.00
	Annual		Expires August 31	$15.80
Freshwater Fishing Family Trip License	Freshwater Trip	Allows nonresidents to add up to 4 additional immediate family (parents, spouse, children & grandchildren) to their Sport Fishing License. (License holder + 4 family members)	Trip is valid for 3 days	$37.00
Physically Disabled Freshwater Fishing 3-Day Event License	Freshwater Trip	Event must be sanctioned by DCNR. Allows up to 20 physically disabled persons and their assistant to fish on one event license. $5.00 for each additional participant.	—	$100.00
Physically Disabled Freshwater Fishing 3-Day Event License	Saltwater Trip		—	$100.00
Freshwater Commercial Fishing License	Freshwater Commercial	Same as nonresident license in applicant’s resident state, please call 334-242-3465. Valid: 10/1/25 – 9/30/26.		Varies
	Retail Freshwater Fish Dealer	Required to sell commercial or nongame fish direct to the consumer. Valid: 10/1/25 – 9/30/26.		$13.00
	Wholesale Freshwater Fish Dealer	Required to sell commercial or nongame fish for resale. Valid: 10/1/25 – 9/30/26.		$31.00
Freshwater Mussel License	Catcher	Includes residents with less than 12 month residency proof. Valid: 10/1/25 – 9/30/26.		$901.00
Freshwater Mussel License	Dealer or Buyer	Includes residents with less than 12 month residency proof. Valid: 10/1/25 – 9/30/26.		$361.00
Spear Fishing License	Annual	Valid for fresh and saltwater. Must also have appropriate sportfishing license.		$8.50
Spear Fishing License	7-day trip			$3.50
NOTE: Please see 'General Information for Hunting and Fishing Licenses' in Sport Fishing & Hunting Laws & Regulations.

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For more information on all available licenses, including how and where to purchase them and access application packets, visit the Outdoor Alabama license information page.