Fishing License Requirements and Fees 2009-2010
(Resident and Non-Resident)

**** For more general information on licenses see bottom of page.

Click Here for Alabama Fishing Regulations

Click Here for Alabama Fishing Limits

Click Here to Purchase Your License Online

*Downloadable Publication by the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources. Downloads may take several minutes

FRESHWATER FISHING: Allows a resident age 16 - 63 (residents 64 see 64 Lifetime License) to fish the freshwaters of Alabama. Includes the Wildlife Heritage privileges. No trip licenses available. Expires August 31 annually. Cost: $12.00

64 LIFETIME: A resident age 64 purchasing an annual license will be issued lifetime license privileges. Applicant will select from the following privileges: freshwater fishing (includes wildlife heritage), saltwater, all game or small game hunting (includes wildlife heritage) and wildlife heritage. Cost: varies - see application

WILDLIFE HERITAGE: Allows residents age 16 - 63 (residents 64 see 64 Lifetime License) to fish in freshwater statewide with hook and line from the bank, fish in WFF operated Public Fishing Lakes (daily lake permits required), hunt small game (except waterfowl) on WFF WMA (WMA permit required), shoot on WFF managed shooting ranges and support wildlife. Expires August 31 annually. Cost: $10.00

SALTWATER FISHING: Allows a resident age 16 - 63 (residents 64 see 64 Lifetime License) to fish the saltwaters of Alabama. Annual licenses expire August 31. Seven day trip licenses available. Cost: varies - see application

SPEARFISHING: Allows residents age 16 - 64 and nonresidents age 16 and over to spear commercial or nongame fish in freshwater and saltwater completedly submerged. Freshwater and/or saltwater fishing license also required. Annual licenses expire August 31 annually. Nonresident seven day trip licenses available. Cost: varies - see application

DISABLED FISHING: Allows a totally disabled resident age 16 - 64 to fish the saltwaters and freshwaters of Alabama during their period of total disability. After application is completed by physician, visit your local probate office for license issuance. Cost: $1.00

DISABLED FISHING MILITARY VETERAN'S APPRECIATION: Allows a resident age 16 - 64 to fish the freshwaters of Alabama. Must be certified by the U.S. Veterans Administration to be 20% or more disabled. Present VA certification letter to your local probate office. Includes the wildlife heritage privileges. Expires August 31 annually. Cost: $3.00

WIREBASKET: Allows a resident (any age) to catch non-game fish in public freshwaters for personal consumption. Prices and number of baskets vary depending on county. Not allowed in all counties. Cost: varies - see application

An ALABAMA RESIDENT can fish from the bank in their county of residence with hook and line (live bait only) without purchasing a license. Resident must be able to provide reasonable proof of residency while fishing.

* Required for residents 16 years of age and under 65 years of age who fish with rod and reel or artificial bait in public waters. This license is not required to fish with ordinary hook and line, only from bank in county of legal residence.

Click Here for information on Alabama Fishing Regulations

Click Here for information on Alabama Fishing Limits

FRESHWATER MUSSEL LICENSE:
Resident Catcher: $ 251.00
Nonresident Catcher: $ 751.00

Resident Dealer or Buyer: $ 101.00
Nonresident Dealer or Buyer: $ 301.00

Nonresident:
Annual Freshwater: $ 46.00
Annual Saltwater: $ 53.00
(Includes $8 surcharge to acquire and retire commercial gill nets.)
7-Day Trip Freshwater: $ 26.00
7-Day Trip Saltwater: $ 25.00
(Good for seven [7] consecutive days.)

Trip Licenses are valid for 168 consecutive hours.
Required for fishing in any public water regardless of tackle used.

NOTE TO NONRESIDENTS: Special fishing license fees apply to residents of Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee due to reciprocal license costs.
Game fish cannot be caught by any method other than ordinary hook and line, fly, troll, or spinner. The sale of game fish taken from public water is prohibited by law in Alabama.

FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSE:
Resident Annual: $ 100.00
Retail Freshwater Fish Dealer: $ 11.00
Wholesale Freshwater Fish Dealer: $ 26.00
Nonresident Freshwater Commercial Fishing
(same as nonresident license in applicant’s resident state.)
Nonresident Retail Freshwater Fish Dealer: $ 11.00
Nonresident Wholesale Freshwater Fish Dealer: $ 26.00

SPEAR FISHING LICENSE:
Resident Annual: $ 6.00


Freshwater Disabled Fishing:
Resident (totally disabled): $ 1.00
Veterans Appreciation (20% disabled): $ 3.00
(Includes priveleges of Wildlife Heritage License.)
(Applications are available at your local Probate/License Commisioner Office. Military Veterans Appreciation Licenses must be certified by the U.S. Veterans Administration to be 20% or more disabled.)

****GENERAL INFORMATION FOR HUNTING AND FISHING
To qualify for a resident hunting or fishing license, a person must be a bona fide resident of Alabama for a minimum of 90 days continuously immediately prior to purchasing any such license or any member of U.S. military stationed in Alabama. Resident and nonresident annual hunting licenses are valid from August 1 through July 31 each year. Successfully completing an approved hunter education course is mandatory for all hunting license buyers born on or after August 1, 1977. Annual fishing licenses are valid for one year from date of purchase. Licenses must be in possession while hunting or fishing.

It is illegal to kill or cripple any species of game bird, game animal or game fish without making a reasonable effort to retrieve same and include it in the daily bag or creel limit, except all game fish not meeting legal length regulations, and protected species. An individual should not trail or retrieve game on property they do not have permission to enter. All game bags, hunting coats, camping equipment, live boxes, automobiles and such used in hunting and fishing will be open for inspection by officers of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

BUYING LICENSES
Alabama hunting and fishing licenses are available in all sections of the state from approximately 400 special license agents in many sporting goods stores, marinas, and at all county courthouses. Licenses may also be purchased by mailing completed application, proper payment and copy of drivers license to attn: License Sales, Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division, 64 N. Union St., Suite 567, Montgomery, AL 36104. For application packet call 334-242-3465 or e-mail Joeanne.StJohn@dcnr.alabama.gov or visit our website at www.outdooralabama.com. It is illegal to willfully or knowingly make a false statement to a license agent when purchasing a license. It is also illegal to lend, borrow, sell, buy, rent or use another person’s license to hunt, fish or trap. A resident without an Alabama driver’s license must present proof of residency to a probate judge or license commissioner to purchase a hunting license.

Licenses are available by calling the toll-free number: 1-888-848-6887.
Also available online at www.outdooralabama.com.

Click Here for information on Alabama Fishing Regulations

Click Here for information on Alabama Fishing Limits