Thinking about doing some Southern style fishing? If so, Alabama may be the place you want to dip your hook or lure into the water. Being a coastal state, Alabama offers both freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing. In either case, you will want to know the regulations for recreational fishing in Alabama. This topic summarizes the Alabama fishing information you need to have at your fingertips before you head out to the lake, waterway, or Gulf.

In general, an Alabama fishing license is required for fishing in Alabama for anglers between the ages of 16 and 64, inclusive.http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/license/ According to license information, an Alabama license is good for 1 year between the dates of September 1 and August 31.http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/license/ In other words, an Alabama fishing license always expires on August 31, no matter when it was purchased.

Saltwater fishing requires a distinct saltwater fishing license in the saltwater areas of Alabama.http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/saltwater/license/ Age and residency requirements are similar to the freshwater license, but the fee structure is completely different.

With regard to freshwater fishing, traditional fishing with a bamboo pole and live bait in your county of official residence would not require you to have a fishing license. If you fish with a rod and reel, an artificial lure, or outside your county of official residence, a fishing license is required, barring other possible exemptions.http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/license/

An alternative to the fishing license in Alabama is an Alabama Wildlife Heritage License.http://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/WildlifeHeritageLicense.cfm These licenses are only available to Alabama residents and may be purchased annually or for a single lifetime enrollment fee.

Fishing licenses may be purchased by phone.http://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/phone.cfm They may also be purchased online.https://www.alabamainteractive.org/dcnr/license/index.cgiOr, they may be purchased through a local Alabama license agent, such as a sporting goods store. When purchased by phone or online, you are instantly confirmed as having an Alabama fishing license.http://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/ Links on this page will lead you to an agent or department that can sell you an Alabama fishing license.

For the purpose of acquiring an Alabama fishing license, a person may become a resident of Alabama if they live in the state, continuously, for at least 90 days. They will need to provide additional documentation of their residency, such as a driver's license or an ID card from the State of Alabama. College students from another state, territory, or country, however, will be considered as non-residents. Military personnel on orders to be in the State of Alabama, and their family, are considered to be immediate residents of Alabama for the purposes of obtaining a fishing license.http://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/ALLicenses/

A Social Security number is required for obtaining an Alabama fishing license. The number does not have to be shown on the license itself, but it is required on the requesting license application.http://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/ALLicenses/

Alabama has a special fishing license for totally disabled residents. Alabama residency for 6 months is a requirement to qualify.http://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/faqs.cfm