Res FW Fish - Page 1

FRESHWATER FISHING
Valid: Sept 1 – Aug 31
Resident

Alabama Game, Fish and Wildlife Law; Article 6; beginning with 9-11-53

PRIVILEGE:
• Required for fishing in public freshwaters of state for residents 16-64.

RESTRICTIONS:
• Methods further restricted by law or regulation.

NOTE:
• License not required to fish from bank only in county of residence with ordinary hook and line or
private lakes or ponds.
• Alabama residents home on leave from Military are exempt from Hunting and Fishing license
requirement.
• The Resident 64 Lifetime License will be issued to residents 64 years of age at the cost of an
annual license. See that license for more information.

HUNTER EDUCATION:
• License purchase includes privileges of the Wildlife Heritage License, which has limited hunting
privileges. Therefore, hunter education information will be asked. If supervision is selected,
it only applies to the hunting privileges.

COST:
• $ 15.05

HOW TO PURCHASE YOUR LICENSE:

• Visit www.outdooralabama.com/license-information
• Call 1-888-848-6887 (Immediate confirmation code is given. Additional processing fee of 2.5% of license cost
plus $5.25 convenience fee when using toll free number.)
• Visit your local Probate Office or License Commissioner
• Visit one of our License Agents (Many bait and tackle stores)
• Visit one of our District Offices
• Visit the Montgomery Office (64 North Union St., Ste. 567, Montgomery, AL 36104)
• Mailing a completed application (download at outdooralabama.com/license-information) to:
Dept. of Conservation, Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries, Attn: License Sales
o PO Box 301456, Montgomery, AL 36130-1456
o 64 N Union St., Ste. 567, Montgomery, AL 36104 (overnight)

Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division – License Manual

Revised: 09/22
Revised: 09/22
Res FW Fish - Page 2A

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

WILDLIFE AND FRESHWATER FISHERIES DIVISION
FRESHWATER FISHING LICENSE
Valid: Sept 1 – Aug 31
Resident
LICENSE HOLDER: all information is required. PRINT OR TYPE ONLY INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE RETURNED

Sex: Male
Name: ______________________________________ CID #: __________
Female
*Social Security #: ____-___-____ Driver’s License # _________________ Wt.

Date of Birth: Email: __________________________ Ht.:

Address: __________________________________________________ Eyes:

City: County: State: Zip: _____ Hair:

Phone: Hm Wk Cl ___________ Race:

Enter Hunter Education ID State & Number:1 _______ _______________

Check Type License Needed

Freshwater Annual 2 $ 15.05 Saltwater Annual $ 26.50
Spearfishing $ 6.00 SW Reef Fish Endorsement 3 $ 10.00
Freshwater and/or Saltwater also required
Saltwater 7-Day Trip $ 11.00
Trip licenses are valid for 168 consecutive hours
Trip Start Date: ______________ Trip State Time: ____________________ AM PM
1UTILIZING THE HUNTING PRIVILEGES WILL REQUIRE A HUNTER EDUCATION ID NUMBER. Applications without
HUNTER EDUCATION ID NUMBER will result in ‘supervision required’ status for hunting privileges.
2License includes privileges of the Wildlife Heritage License. This license includes: fishing in freshwater statewide with hook and

line from the bank; fishing in WFF operated Public Fishing Lakes (daily lake permits required); hunting small game, except
waterfowl, on WFF Wildlife Management Area (WMA map/permit required); and shooting on WFF managed shooting ranges.
3Required to fish gulf reef fish (see attached regulation page for list of species). Mandatory for all saltwater anglers 16 years and

older - NO EXEMPTION. In addition to other required saltwater fishing licenses.

Visit www.outdooralabama.com/license-information for more information and regulations on any of the privileges listed.

Submit: (1) completed application, (2) check or money order, and (3) copy of driver’s license to: Dept. of
Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Div., Attn: License Sales, PO Box 301456,
Montgomery, AL 36130-1456, or by walk-in or express mail requests: 64 N Union Street, Suite 567, 36104.
Questions: (334) 242-3465 or [email protected].

License can also be issued at WFF District Offices, County Probate Office/License Commissioner, local agents
(which includes most sporting good and bait & tackle shops in Alabama), our website www.outdooralabama.com or
by calling 1-888-848-6887 (additional processing fee of 2.5% of license cost plus $5.25 convenience fee when using
toll free number).

Applicant’s Signature: ______________________________ Date: _____________

Check [ ] to be excluded from list sold by DCNR. If blank, you will be included.

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

License Number: _____________________________________ Amount Received: _________ Date Issued: ______________

*DCNR IS NOW REQUIRED BY SECTION 30-3-194(A) CODE OF ALABAMA 1975 TO COLLECT

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ON ALL RECREATIONAL LICENSES BEING ISSUED/RENEWED.
 Revised: 09/22 Page 2B

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

WILDLIFE AND FRESHWATER FISHERIES DIVISION
The 2022-23 Recreational Licenses

THE NEWLY REDESIGNED COLLECTIBLE HARD CARDS AVAILABLE

These credit card style cards are a collectible keepsake of your hunting and fishing memories.
• Each card is $5.00 and should be received shortly after your purchase.
• Which your favorite annual card? Select one.
• Your name, information and annual hunting and fishing privileges will be displayed on the back.

ONLY SELECTED ANNUAL HUNTING AND FISHING PRIVILEGES CAN BE DISPLAYED.

ALL OTHER PRIVILEGES ( TRIPS, ETC.) WILL DISPLAY ON THE PAPER LICENSE.
Please indicate which designs you would like:
Deer Design Turkey Design Waterfowl Design

Freshwater Fishing Design Saltwater Fishing Design United We Stand Design

# Collectible Hard Cards __________ X $5.00 each = TOTAL: $_______________

ROUND-UP YOUR LICENSE COST:

You can now ‘round-up’ the total cost of your recreational license purchase to the next dollar and your
donation will help support research for wildlife, freshwater or saltwater fishing or shooting sports.
My Total License Cost is $_____________ and I would like to round-up to $_____________
I would like my donation to support research for: $___ Wildlife $___ Freshwater Fish $___ Saltwater Fish $___ Shooting Sports

MAKE A 1-TIME DONATION:

You can make a 1-time donation to help support research. You can select any or all wildlife, freshwater
fishing and/or saltwater fishing.
: 08/10
I would like my donation to support research for: $___ Wildlife $___ Freshwater Fish $___ Saltwater Fish $___ Shooting Sports

DID YOU KNOW?:

• The Division does not receive any state tax dollars.
• The Division is solely funded through license sales.
• Each license dollar is matched with federal funds through excise tax on sporting firearms, ammunition,
fishing rods and reels, fishing line and other related hunting and fishing equipment.

Your support is valuable in promoting wise stewardship, management, and enjoyment of our natural resources.
If you would like any of these options, complete that section and attach to your application.
Payment for license and optional items can be included in one check or money order.
 Res FW Fish - Page 3

Freshwater Fishing – Resident

Code of Alabama www.legislature.state.al.us

Section 9-11-53 RESIDENT LICENSE - FRESHWATER FISHING

(a) Any person who has been a bona fide resident of this state for a period of not less than 90 days next
preceding and who is age 16 or older, but who has not yet reached the age of 65, shall not take, catch,
kill or attempt to take, catch, or kill any fish in any of the waters of this state above that line defined in
Rule 220-2-.42 (1) of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as published in the
Alabama Administrative Code, as well as below that line in any of the ponds or lakes containing
freshwater fish, subject to the exceptions contained herein, by any means, except designated commercial
fishing gear and wire baskets, expressly allowed by law or regulation without first procuring an Annual
Resident Freshwater Fishing License and paying therefor the sum of eleven dollars ($11), plus a one
dollar ($1) issuance fee, which fees shall be subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 2 of the act
adding this language; provided, however, that U.S. military veterans otherwise meeting the requirements
of this section who are certified by the U.S. Veterans Administration as 20 percent or more disabled
shall be entitled to purchase an alternative license to the annual resident freshwater fishing license to be
known as the Disabled Military Veterans Appreciation Fishing License for a license fee of two dollars
($2) plus a one dollar ($1) issuance fee. All persons making application for the license provided for in
this section shall present a valid Alabama driver's license or in the case of nondrivers proof of permanent
residence. All licenses required by this section shall bear the Alabama driver's license number of the
licensee, except in the case of nondrivers and active duty military personnel stationed in Alabama and
their spouses and dependents who reside with them, and all licenses shall bear proof of residence as
required by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
a member of the United States military stationed in Alabama on active duty, and his or her spouse and
their dependents who reside with them, shall be deemed an Alabama resident for the purpose of
procuring this license. Active duty military personnel stationed in Alabama and their spouses and
dependents who reside with them shall provide military orders that assign them to Alabama. These
licenses shall be issued in the manner and under the conditions, limitations, and exemptions as expressly
provided for in this section. Persons obtaining the annual resident freshwater fishing license shall also
be entitled to all of the privileges of the wildlife heritage license.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any resident 64 years of age procuring a resident freshwater
fishing license pursuant to this section shall be issued the license on a lifetime basis. License fees from
the sale of a lifetime license pursuant to this subsection to a resident age 64 shall be deposited to the
credit of the Alabama Game and Fish Endowment Fund within the Game and Fish Fund.
(c) A fishing license shall not be transferable, and it shall be unlawful to borrow, lend, or alter any fishing
license, or for any license-issuing officer to falsify any license at the time of issuing the license. A
violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class B misdemeanor punishable as provided by law.
(d) Any citizen of this state who is entitled to purchase a fishing license as provided for in this section may
procure a license by applying to any judge of probate, license commissioner, or other persons authorized
and designated to issue fishing licenses, stating his or her name, age, place of residence, and post office
address, and paying to the issuing officer the amount required in this section for the license. Judges of
probate, license commissioners, or other persons authorized and designated to issue fishing licenses shall
be entitled to the issuance fee set out herein for each license so issued, which fee shall be in addition to
the amount designated in this section as the cost of the license. All fees collected by any judge of probate
or license commissioner who is paid a salary for the performance of his or her duties shall be paid into
the county treasury to the credit of the appropriate fund.
(e) All persons under the age of 16 years shall be exempted from the requirement of procuring a license.
Any resident of this state 65 years of age and older shall be exempted from the requirement of procuring
a fishing license as provided for in this section, provided that the resident has on his or her person while
fishing, a valid Alabama driver's license, or, in the case of nondrivers, proof of permanent Alabama
residence and age.
(f) Every person who obtains an annual resident freshwater fishing license without presenting a valid
Alabama driver's license or in the case of nondrivers proof of permanent residence, or who provides any

Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division – License Manual

Revised: 09/21
 Res FW Fish - Page 4

false information in the process of procuring the license, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor
punishable as provided by law.
(g) The licenses required by this section shall not apply to a resident of this state on active military duty
who is in this state on leave and who has proof of that status in his or her possession, nor to any person
who fishes in a private pond. The license required by this section shall not apply to any person fishing
from the bank with an ordinary hook and line in his or her county of residence. A person who fishes
from the bank with ordinary hook and line in his or her own county of residence shall be required to
have on his or her person, while so fishing, a reasonable proof of residency in the county. In addition,
the licenses required by this section shall not apply to persons exempt from fishing license requirements
while fishing at commercial fee fishing ponds pursuant to the provisions of Article 17 of this chapter.
(h) The revenue derived from the sale of the license provided for in this section shall be remitted to the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on the first day of each month by the issuing officer
and shall be deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of the Game and Fish Fund and shall be used
in the construction, maintenance, development, and supervision of public fishing lakes, for the purchase
of lands to be used for public landings on public streams and for the development, protection,
propagation, and distribution of fish and wildlife of this state.
(i) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50)
nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for each offense.
(j) There shall be provided on the license form for the licenses provided for in this section a check-off option
whereby the licensee may voluntarily choose to donate an additional one dollar ($1) to the Division of
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries for the purposes of research on fisheries and aquatic habitat as
approved by the Conservation Advisory Board.

SECTION 9-11-68 COST ADJUSTMENTS - HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES

Beginning with the license year October 1, 2010, and each license year thereafter, those license fees and
issuance fees specified in Act 2007-418 shall be subject to a possible cost adjustment based on the following
procedure: By the end of November of 2009, and each November thereafter, the Director of the Division
of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the
approval of the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, may submit to
the Chair of the Advisory Board of Conservation and Natural Resources, a recommendation of an increase
in both the license fees and issuance fees for the licenses, based on the percentage increase in the Consumer
Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) (All Items - U.S. City Average) maintained by the U.S.
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the immediately preceding yearly period of October
to October, rounded down to the nearest nickel. The recommendation shall be subject to the approval of the
Advisory Board of Conservation and Natural Resources on or before the end of March of each year. If the
increase is approved by the Advisory Board of Conservation and Natural Resources, the board through its
secretary, by the end of March of each year, shall submit the board's recommendation to the Chair of the
Legislative Council, for the Legislative Council's review and approval. In the event the recommendation is
not disapproved by the Legislative Council by the end of April of each year, the recommendation of the
board shall be deemed to be approved. In the event one or more years elapses during which there is no
adjustment as provided for herein, the same procedure may be followed to obtain a net cumulative increase
since the previous increase.

Section 9-11-87 MEANS OF CATCHING GAME FISH GENERALLY

It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch or kill or attempt to take, catch or kill any game fish by
any other means than ordinary hook and line, artificial lure, troll or spinner in any of the public waters of
this state. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on
conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25.00 no more than $100.00.

Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division – License Manual

Revised: 09/21
 Res FW Fish – Page 5

Regulation 220-2-.34 GAME FISH DESIGNATED

The following shall be named and designated as game fish: All members of the sunfish family
(Centrarchidae) to include: Black Bass - largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, Alabama, shoal, and those
species formerly known as “redeye” bass, which are now known separately as Coosa, Warrior, Cahaba,
Tallapoosa, and Chattahoochee bass, based on their respective drainages. The Alabama bass was formerly
known as spotted bass in the Mobile drainage. Bream - rock bass, flier, shadow bass, warmouth, redbreast,
bluegill, longear, and redear (shellcracker). Crappie - black and white crappie. All members of the
temperate bass family (Moronidae) to include: Temperate Bass - saltwater striped, white, and yellow bass
and any hybrids thereof. All members of the pike family (Esocidae) to include: Pickerel - chain, redfin,
and grass pickerel. The following members of the perch family (Percidae): Perch – sauger (jack), walleye,
and yellow perch. The following members of the trout family (Salmonidae): Trout - rainbow trout.

Regulation 220-2-.46(1) LEGAL METHODS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE TAKING OF

COMMERCIAL OR NON-GAME FISH
The following are hereby designated as legal fishing equipment and methods for the taking of commercial
or non-game fish or other unprotected fish in the fresh waters of this State. Any other equipment or methods
used in the taking of commercial or non-game fish or other unprotected fish is a violation of this regulation:
1) By Licensed or License-Exempt Sport Fishermen
a. Rod and Reel
b. Hook and Line
c. Trot Line
d. Set Line, including limb lines and jug lines
e. Snag Line or Snare Line
1. It shall be unlawful to fish any trotline, snag or snare line without plastic or metal tag
attached containing the owners name and either their address or fishing license number or
phone number.
2. It shall be unlawful for any fisherman other than a licensed commercial fisherman to fish
one or more trotline, snag or snare line or combination thereof containing more than 100
hooks.
f. Bowfishing with any longbow, recurve bow, compound bow or crossbow using barbed arrows
attached by line to the bow, float, vessel, or shooter.
g. Spearfishing or Similar Instruments (underwater) by Special License
h. Gigs or Grabbling It shall be unlawful to set and leave unattended in the public waters of the
State of Alabama for more than seven consecutive days all fishing gear provided, however, that
any set line or bush hook left unattended for 48 hours may be removed by Game and Fish
Division personnel and destroyed
i. It shall be unlawful to set and leave unattended in the public waters of the State of Alabama for
more than seven consecutive days all fishing gear provided, however, that any set line or bush
hook left unattended for 48 hours may be removed by Game and Fish Division personnel and
destroyed.

Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division – License Manual

Revised: 09/21