Alabama · Fishing license
Do I need a fishing license in Alabama?
Yes — anyone 16 or older needs one, until you turn 65 as a resident.
A year costs $17 if you live here and $66.25 if you don't.
What it costs
If you live in Alabama
| license | Price |
|---|---|
| Freshwater fishing, annualThe Wildlife Heritage Licence, $13.95 on its own, comes free with it. | $17 |
| Freshwater public fishing lakes, dailyFor Alabama’s State Public Fishing Lakes, which sit outside the ordinary licence. | $7.65 |
| Saltwater fishing, annualA separate licence from the freshwater one. | $30.05 |
| Saltwater fishing, seven day trip | $12.35 |
| Saltwater pier fishingSome piers charge their own fee on top and require their own permit. | $7.65 |
| Saltwater fishing, disabled residentDisabled veterans rated 20 percent pay $3.60. | $3.50 |
If you're visiting
| license | Price |
|---|---|
| Freshwater fishing, annual, most statesAlabama prices visitors by where they come from. Residents of Louisiana pay $70.55 and residents of Mississippi $75.42. | $66.25 |
| Freshwater fishing, seven day trip | $37 |
| Freshwater fishing, family three day tripSame price as the single seven-day trip licence — for a family staying a long weekend this is the better buy. | $37 |
| Freshwater fishing, college student aged 17 to 23Non-resident college students pay the resident rate. | $17 |
| Freshwater public fishing lakes, annual | $15.80 |
| Saltwater fishing, annual, most statesFlorida residents pay $48.20 and Louisiana residents $129.20 — the widest spread of any licence Alabama sells. | $64.90 |
| Saltwater fishing, seven day trip, most statesFlorida residents pay $30.20 and Louisiana residents $33.75. | $35.65 |
How long it lasts
Alabama runs a licence year that ends in late summer: "Recreational licenses expire August 31 annually." A licence bought in July is worth weeks, not months.
Who doesn't need one
- Anyone under 16, resident or visitor
- Alabama residents 65 and over — for freshwater, saltwater and hunting alike
- Bank fishing with an ordinary hook and line in your own county of residence
- Alabama residents on active military duty and home on leave, carrying proof of leave
- Residents who are 100 percent disabled, through an annual physically disabled freshwater fishing licence
ADCNR words the age rule this way: ADCNR: "Residents 16-64 years of age and all Non-Residents 16 years of age and over must have the appropriate license." And: "Residents of Alabama 65 years of age and older are not required to purchase recreational hunting, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing licenses." The exemption is for Alabama residents only — a visitor of 70 still buys a licence.
Where to buy it
- Online through MyOutdoorAlabama
- At licence agents and probate offices across the state
Wondering about the big retailers? A shop like Walmart sells the state's license at the state's price — it sets none of its own.
Days you can fish without one
Where to use it today
Waters we read every morning in Alabama.
- 5 Decent Lake Guntersville