Fishing in Alabama

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A typical bait shop, found throughout the state near fishable waters

Alabama has a rich history and diversity of freshwater and saltwater sport fishing opportunities within its extensive rivers systems, farm ponds and the inshore and offshore saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico.,[1][2] The Bass Angler's Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), the leading promoter of competitive bass fishing was founded by Ray Scott in 1967 in Montgomery, Alabama.[3] Alabama hosts numerous local, regional and national fishing tournaments every year.

> Alabama supports 11 million angler fishing days with expenditures of three-quarters of a billion dollars, so join in the fun![2]

Alabama hosts 47 reservoirs larger than 500 acres (2.0 km2) that cover 551,220 acres (2,230.7 km2), 23 Alabama State Public Fishing Lakes, and 77,000 miles (124,000 km) of perennial rivers, streams and the Mobile Delta as well as over 60 miles (97 km) of shoreline along the Gulf Coast that provide fresh and saltwater fishing opportunity.

## Freshwater fishing

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The Official Freshwater Fish of Alabama is the Largemouth Bass.[4] In general, Alabama freshwater fishing is a warmwater fishery, although stocked trout are available in several locations. The most targeted species are largemouth and smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, brim (bluegill, shellcracker, etc.), stripe (white bass, striped bass and hybrids) as well as catfish. There are limited fisheries for shoal bass, walleye and sauger. Big rivers and reservoirs dominate the freshwater fishing landscape in Alabama[5] but there is also an abundance of small streams, creeks and ponds available. The Tennessee Valley Authority, US Army Corps of Engineers, Alabama Power, and the Alabama Department of Natural Resources all maintain and promote freshwater fishing access on the waters they oversee.

### State Freshwater Records

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Below is a table of state freshwater fishing records.[6]

Species | Weight | Date | Location

|
|
|

Bass, Largemouth | 16 lb 8 oz | 11/3/1987 | Mtn. View Lake, Shelby Co
Bass, Redeye (b) | 3 lb 2 oz | 3/8/2000 | Choccolocco Creek
Bass, Rock | 1 lb 6 oz | 5/6/1995 | Paint Rock River
Bass, Shoal (now protected in Alabama, release when captured) | 6 lb 11 oz | 2/25/1996 | Halawakee Creek
Bass, Smallmouth (c) | 10 lb 8 oz | 10/8/1950 | Wheeler Dam tailwater
Bass, Spotted (b) | 8 lb 15 oz | 3/18/1978 | Lewis Smith
Bass, Striped | 55 lb | 1955 | Tallapoosa River
Bass, Striped Hybrid | 25 lb 15 oz | 9/13/1996 | Sipsey Fork
Bass, White | 4 lb 9 oz | 2/14/1987 | Warrior River
Bass, Yellow (a) | 2 lb 8 oz | 4/12/2000 | Guntersville Reservoir, Jackson Co.
Bowfin | 18 lb 6 oz (8.3 kg) | 7/31/2005 | Lake Tuscaloosa
Buffalo | 57 lb | 4/13/1990 | Guntersville Reservoir
Bullhead | 3 lb 13 oz | 4/8/1984 | Private Pond, Montgomery. Co.
Carp, Common | 35 lb | 4/19/1980 | Bear Creek, Colbert County
Carp, Grass | 73 lb | 4/10/2012 | Guntersville Reservoir
Catfish, Blue (b) | 120 lb 4 oz | 3/9/2012 | Holt Reservoir
Catfish, Channel | 40 lb | 6/17/1967 | Inland Lake
Catfish, Flathead | 80 lb | 6/22/1986 | Alabama River, Selma
Catfish, White | 10 lb 5 oz | 4/3/1981 | Chambers Co. Public Lake
Crappie, Black (tie) | 4 lb 5 oz | 6/2/1997 | private pond in Jefferson Co.
Crappie, White | 4 lb 9 oz | 5/8/2000 | Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co.
Drum, Freshwater (b) | 41 lb 8 oz | 7/24/1949 | Wilson Reservoir
Eel, American | 5 lb 8 oz | 5/11/1989 | Lake Shechi, Chilton Co.
Gar, Alligator | 151 lb 5 oz | 8/13/2004 | Tensaw River
Gar, Longnose | 32 lb 14oz | 4/18/1985 | Jordan Reservoir
Gar, Spotted | 8 lb 12 oz | 8/26/1987 | Cotaco Creek
Herring, Skipjack | 3 lb 4 oz | 5/2/2012 | Mulberry Fork
Muskellunge | 19 lb 8 oz | 12/31/1972 | Wilson Dam tailwater
Paddlefish | 52 lb 12 oz | 3/18/1982 | Wilson Dam tailwater
Perch, Yellow | 1 lb 15 oz | 2/26/2000 | Wheeler Reservoir, Limestone Co.
Pickerel, Chain | 6 lb 6 oz | 6/24/1976 | Dyas Creek, Baldwin County
Pickerel, Redfin | 0 lb 11 oz | 8/24/2010 | Armstrong Creek, Wash. Co.
Redhorse, Silver (a) | 14 lb 14 oz | 4/24/1995 | Wilson Dam tailwater
Sauger | 5 lb 2 oz | 3/5/1972 | Wilson Dam tailwater
Sunfish, Bluegill (a) | 4 lb 12 oz | 4/9/1950 | Ketona Lake, Birmingham
Sunfish, Green | 1 lb 9 oz | 8/10/2005 | McLamore Pond, Walker County
Sunfish, Longear | 8 oz | 5/12/1990 | Yellow River
Sunfish, Redbreast | 1 lb 4 oz | 6/12/2010 | Choctawhatchee River
Sunfish, Redear (b) | 4 lb 4 oz | 5/5/1962 | Chattahoochee State Park
Trout, Rainbow | 9 lb 1 oz | 4/22/2006 | Mud Creek, Tannehill State Park
Walleye | 10 lb 14 oz | 6/24/1980 | Weiss Reservoir
Warmouth | 1 lb 12 oz | 4/25/1986 | Farm Pond
(a) World Record, Rod And Reel (b) Previous World Record, Rod and Reel (c) Previous World Record, Any Method

## Saltwater fishing

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Deep Sea Fishing In Gulf of Mexico

Alabama has excellent access to the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico from Mobile and Perdio Bays. Inshore and estuarial fishing opportunities are extensive in both upper and lower Mobile Bay, but extend from Grand Bay in the Mississippi Sound on the West to the western shores of Peridio Bay near Orange Beach, Alabama.

The Official Saltwater Fish of Alabama is the Tarpon.[7]

### State Saltwater Records

[edit]

Species[8] | Weight | Date

|
|

Amberjack, Greater | 127 lb12oz | 06/19/81
Angelfish, Blue | 2 lb3z | 04/29/01
Barracuda, Great | 52 lb4oz | 07/15/05
Barrelfish | 12 lb 0 Oz | 07/07/06
Bass, Longtail | 5 lb 10 Oz | 07/15/06
Bass, Striped | 55 lb 0 Oz | 06/22/76
Bigeye | 3 lb 2 Oz | 06/28/06
Bluefish | 17 lb 4 Oz | 06/05/04
Bonito, Atlantic | 5 lb 5 Oz | 12/31/94
Brotula, Bearded | 19 lb 8 Oz | 08/09/97
Catfish, Gafftopsail | 8 lb 13 Oz | 07/11/92
Catfish, Sea | 3 lb 1 oz | 5/2/2012
Chub, Bermuda | 10 lb 5 Oz | 6/17/2006
Chub, Yellow | 7 lb 4 Oz | 10/22/2002
Cobia | 117 lb 7 Oz | 4/18/1995
Creolefish | 0 lb 13 Oz | 1/28/2004
Crevalle Jack | 39 lb 4 Oz | 8/20/1994
Cubbyhu | 2 lb 3 oz | 7/13/2013
Croaker, Atlantic | 4 lb 0 Oz | 9/3/1994
Doctorfish | 1 lb 4 Oz | 9/13/2007
Dolphinfish, Common | 60 lb 0 Oz | 5/27/1989
Dolphinfish, Pompano | 4 lb 2 oz | 6/30/2012
Drum, Black | 61 lb 0 Oz | 4/20/2002
Drum, Red | 45 lb 9 oz | 7/9/2013
Escolar | 62 lb 7 Oz | 04/27/03
Filefish | 8 lb 8 Oz | 10/12/1991
Flounder, Southern | 13 lb 3 Oz | 10/15/1975
Grouper, Black | 106 lb 3.2 Oz | 8/11/2012
Grouper, Gag | 74 lb 8 Oz | 1963
Grouper, Red | 34 lb 10 Oz | 3/23/2002
Grouper, Scamp | 29 lb 10 Oz | 07/22/00
Grouper, Snowy | 52 lb 9 Oz | 07/07/06
Grouper, Warsaw | 226 lb 0 Oz | 07/18/88
Grouper, Yellowedge | 46 lb 9.2 oz (21.13 kg) | 6/30/2012
Hake, Southern | 3 lb 4.5 oz (1.49 kg) | 4/23/2006
Hind, Red | 2 lb 14 Oz | 07/17/87
Hind, Rock | 3 lb 7.2 oz | 7/17/2012
Hind, Speckled | 39 lb 13 oz | 5/28/2011
Jack, Almaco | 47 lb 8 Oz | 05/11/02
Jack, Horse-eye | 15 lb 5 oz | 7/10/2007
Kingfish, Gulf/Southern | 2 lb 15 Oz | 09/04/01
Ladyfish | 4 lb 8 Oz | 07/28/06
Little Tunny | 21 lb 0 Oz | 1956
Lookdown | 2 lb 2 Oz | 08/24/97
Mackerel, King | 69 lb 10 oz | 5/6/2012
Mackerel, Spanish | 8 lb 12 Oz | 10/19/93
Marlin, Blue | 845 lb 13 oz | 7/12/2013
Marlin, White | 98 lb 13 Oz | 05/24/97
Moonfish, Atlantic | 1 lb 0 Oz | 08/12/03
Mullet, Striped | 1 lb 2 Oz | 06/14/03
Pinfish | 3 lb 2 Oz | 05/15/01
Pompano, African | 39 lb 7 Oz | 09/09/89
Pompano, Florida (Tie) | 5 lb 8 Oz | 11/11/99 & 10/21/03
Porgy, Red | 7 lb 6 Oz | 06/16/91
Porgy, Whitebone | 5 lb 10 oz | 7/17/2011
Puffer, Smooth | 10 lb 3 oz | 4/2/2013
Rosefish, Blackbelly | 4 lb 13 Oz | 07/13/12
Runner, Rainbow | 19 lb 9 Oz | 09/10/06
Runner, Blue | 11 lb 2 Oz | 06/28/97
Sailfish, Atlantic | 81 lb 0 Oz | 1974
Seabass, Black | 3 lb 2 Oz | 07/31/00
Searobin, Blackwing | 1 lb (0.45 kg) 13 Oz | 04/24/05
Seatrout, Sand/Silver | 6 lb (2.7 kg) 11 Oz | 07/12/97
Seatrout, Spotted | 12 lb (5.4 kg) 4 Oz | 05/06/80
Shark, Atl.Sharpnose | 16 lb (7.3 kg) 3 Oz | 05/12/06
Shark, Bull | 336 lb (152 kg) 8 Oz | 8/3/2012
Shark, Lemon | 278 lb (126 kg) 8 Oz | 07/21/95
Shark, Mako | 737 lb (334 kg) 0 Oz | 08/20/78
Shark, Tiger | 988 lb (448 kg) 8 Oz | 06/24/90
Sharksucker | 4 lb (1.8 kg) 7 Oz | 05/12/04
Sheepshead | 12 lb (5.4 kg) 15 Oz | 11/20/01
Slimehead, Darwins | 4 lb 0 oz | 6/30/2012
Snapper, Cubera | 52 lb (24 kg) 0 Oz | 05/20/88
Snapper, Dog | 13 lb 4 Oz | 7/16/2004
Snapper, Gray | 15 lb 11 Oz | 7/3/2003
Snapper, Lane | 8 lb 1 oz | 7/15/2011
Snapper, Mutton | 20 lb 12 Oz | 6/25/2006
Snapper, Red | 44 lb 12 Oz | 6/1/2002
Snapper, Silk | 6 lb 3 Oz | 5/27/2006
Snapper, Vermilion | 7 lb 3 Oz | 6/6/1987
Snapper, Yellowtail | 6 lb 15 oz | 7/5/2011
Spadefish, Atlantic | 6 lb 12 Oz | 4/14/2003
Spearfish, Longbill | 53 lb 0 Oz | 5/29/1905
Squirrelfish | 1 lb 1 Oz | 8/4/2006
Stargazer, Southern | 6 lb 4.5 Oz | 4/13/2006
Stingray, Roughtail | 160 lb 0 Oz | 8/6/2000
Stingray, Southern | 125 lb 0 Oz | 8/20/1998
Swordfish | 448 lb 0 Oz | 9/16/2006
Tarpon | 203 lb 0 oz | 8/15/1992
Tilefish, Atlantic Golden | 5 lb 0 oz | 5/16/2012
Tilefish, Blue Line | 6 lb 12 oz | 5/29/2006
Tilefish, Great Northern | 29 lb 4 oz | 5/12/2007
Tilefish, Sand | 2 lb 1 oz | 7/24/2012
Triggerfish, Gray | 13 lb 8 oz | 5/31/1993
Triggerfish, Ocean | 7 lb 10 oz | 8/10/2013
Triggerfish, Queen | 7 lb 8 oz | 7/6/1999
Tripletail | 37 lb 5 oz | 1979
Tuna, Big Eye | 107 lb 1 oz | 8/2/2012
Tuna, Blackfin | 35 lb 2 oz | 7/1/2008
Tuna, Bluefin | 829 lb 6 oz | 6/3/2006
Tuna, Skipjack | 32 b 6 oz | 8/31/2013
Tuna, Yellowfin | 22 1b 7.2 oz | 6/3/2006
Wahoo | 123 lb 6 oz | 5/6/2006
Wreckfish | 68 lb 6 oz | 5/6/2006

## See also

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* List of rivers in Alabama
* List of lakes in Alabama
* US Army Corps of Engineers - Lakes Gateway - Alabama Archived 2003-11-26 at the Wayback Machine
* Tennessee Valley Authority - Reservoir Sport Fishing
* Alabama Power Lake Recreation Information
* Bear Creek Lakes Recreation Area
* Alabama River Fishing

## References

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* Bolton, Mike (1990). The Complete Alabama Fisherman. Birmingham, AL: Seacoast Books Publishers.
* Boschung, Herbert T.; Richard L. Mayden (2004). Fishes of Alabama. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 1-58834-004-X.
* Mettee, Maurice F.; O'Neil, Patrick E.; Pierson, J. Malcolm (1996). Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile Basin. Birmingham, AL: Oxmoor House. ISBN 0-8487-1485-7.

## Notes

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1. ^ Jackson, Harvey H. III (1995). Rivers of History - Life on the Coosa, Tallapoosa, Cahaba and Alabama. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: The University of Alabama Press. ISBN 0-8173-0771-0.
2. ^ a b Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
3. ^ About B.A.S.S.
4. ^ Official Freshwater Fish of Alabama Archived February 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
5. ^ "Rivers of Alabama". Archived from the original on 2007-05-18. Retrieved 2007-05-18.
6. ^ "Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources". Archived from the original on 2007-04-27. Retrieved 2007-05-18.
7. ^ "Official Saltwater Fish of Alabama". Archived from the original on 2017-05-31. Retrieved 2007-05-18.
8. ^ "Alabama Saltwater Records". Archived from the original on 2014-07-28. Retrieved 2014-07-23.

## External links

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* Official Alabama DCNR Fishing Regulations Guide
* Southern Fishing News - Alabama

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