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Family fishing in lake

4 Steps to Purchasing an Appropriate Alabama Recreational Freshwater Fishing License

Alabama RESIDENTS and NON-RESIDENTS age 16 and older are required to have appropriate recreational licenses to fish in public waters (some exceptions apply). The fishing license year is from September 1 to August 31 every year.

1. Determine if you qualify for RESIDENT or NON-RESIDENT fishing license privileges.

You may purchase RESIDENT fishing licenses if you have a valid Alabama driver’s license or valid Alabama non-driver’s ID card (or proof of residency as explained on the back) and have resided continuously in Alabama for 90 days and have a Social Security number.

You may purchase NON-RESIDENT fishing licenses if you have a driver’s license or ID card from a state other than Alabama or if you are not a US citizen.

2. Decide which RESIDENT or NON-RESIDENT fishing license(s) you want to purchase.

Example: If you want to fish all year in any Alabama public waters, you would choose the Annual Fishing License (either RESIDENT or NON-RESIDENT).

Example: If you want to fish all year in any Alabama state-owned county public fishing lake, you would purchase an Annual Public Fishing Lakes License (NON-RESIDENT).

Example: If you already have a NON-RESIDENT fishing license and want to take your family fishing for the weekend, you could purchase a 3-Day Family License (NON-RESIDENT).

3. Have your information and documentation ready.

  • Name
  • Date of birth (DOB)
  • Address
  • Driver’s license, ID, or passport number
  • Social Security number (U.S. Residents)
  • Form of payment

4. Complete the application.

Complete in person at a retailer, print an application, and mail to ADCNR, or complete online at www.alabamainteractive.org/dcnr_license/welcome.action.

Resident

  • Valid Alabama driver’s license or valid non-driver’s ID card
  • Must reside continuously in Alabama for 90 days

NOTE: If you are a non-driver without a valid non-driver’s ID card, you may purchase a license through the probate or license commissioner using at least two of the following documents: school registration, tax return, voter registration card, home property tax forms, health insurance forms with address, last 3 months utility bills with address listed, certificate of employment (including proof of residency).

Freshwater Fishing Recreational Licenses (Privilege Selection)

  • Daily Public Fishing Lakes License – $6.85
    • *valid only in state-owned county public fishing lakes; purchase on-site or at local probate.
  • Annual Fishing License – $15.05
    • *allows fishing in public freshwaters.
  • Annual Wildlife Heritage License – $12.40
    • *allows hook and line fishing from bank, fishing in state-owned county public fishing lakes (daily lake permits required), hunting small game (except waterfowl) on state-owned Wildlife Management Area (WMA permit required), and shooting on WFF-managed shooting ranges.
  • Annual Spearfishing License – $6.00
    • *allows completely submerged person to spear commercial or non-game fish in freshwater or saltwater.
  • Annual Wirebasket License – price varies
    • *allows one basket (maximum of four per license year) to catch non-game fish in public freshwaters.
  • Lifetime – price varies
  • Optional 65+ – $15.05
  • 100% Physically Disabled – $3.20
  • Disabled Military Veteran’s Appreciation – $3.30

*Residents 65 and older are not required to purchase a freshwater fishing license.

*Residents can fish from the bank in their county of residence with hook and line (live bait only) without purchasing a license. You must be able to provide proof of residency (Alabama driver’s license) while fishing.

Information you will need:

  • Driver’s license, ID, or passport number
  • Social Security number
  • Form of payment

Non-Resident

  • Driver’s license from another state
  • Passport (non-US citizens must use a valid passport)
  • Non-driver’s ID (ex: school ID, employment ID)
  • Military personnel can apply using their orders and driver’s license or ID card

Freshwater Fishing Recreational Licenses (Privilege Selection)

  • Daily Public Fishing Lakes License – $8.00
    • *valid only in state-owned county public fishing lakes; purchase on-site or at local probate.
  • 3-Day Family License – $32.55
    • *allows a non-resident license holder to fish with 4 family members in public freshwaters for 3 consecutive days.
  • 7-Day License – $32.55
    • *allows fishing in public freshwaters for 7 consecutive days. Fee is $32.20 if you are from Florida and $33.20 if you are from Georgia.
  • Annual Fishing License – $58.15
    • *allows fishing in public freshwaters. Fee is $62.20 if you are from Louisiana and $64.29 if you are from Mississippi.
  • Annual Public Fishing Lakes License – $13.95
    • *valid only in state-owned county public fishing lakes; purchase on-site or at local probate.
  • College Student Annual License – $15.05
    • *allows full-time students (ages 17 to 23) residing in Alabama to fish in public freshwaters.
  • Annual Spearfishing License – $8.50
    • *allows completely submerged person to spear commercial or non-game fish in freshwater or saltwater.
  • Annual Wirebasket License – price varies
    • *allows one basket (maximum of four per license year) to catch non-game fish in public freshwaters.

Information you will need:

  • Name
  • Date of birth (DOB)
  • Out-of-state address
  • Passport or out-of-state license or ID number
  • Form of payment

Complete the Application

Complete in person at a retailer, print an application and mail to ADCNR, or complete online at www.alabamainteractive.org/dcnr_license/welcome.action.

  1. Select your country and state of residence.
    • Tip: If you are buying a NON-RESIDENT license using a passport, select the country that is listed on your passport and select not in the US from the state drop-down menu.
    • Tip: If you are buying a NON-RESIDENT license using a driver’s license from another state, select USA as your country of residence and select the state that issued your driver’s license from the state drop-down menu.
    • Tip: If you are buying a RESIDENT license, select US as your country of residence and select Alabama as your state.
  2. Select the license(s) or privilege(s) you wish to purchase.
    • Tip: If you are buying a NON-RESIDENT license, NR will appear before the license or privilege title.
  3. Your selection(s) of license or privilege will be displayed on the confirmation page.
    • Tip: Verify your selection(s), and make any changes to your information.
  4. Enter your identification information.
    • Example: passport country, passport number, and names and surnames.
  5. Enter your personal information.
    • Example: postal address: street, city, county, zip code; email address; and phone number in US format.
    • Tip: If you are using a passport to complete the application, use your foreign address in this section.
  6. Enter your demographic information.
    • Example: gender, race, height, weight, eye color, and hair color.
  7. The information you entered will be displayed on the summary page for final review.
  8. Enter your credit card payment information and select Send to complete your purchase.

You can print your license(s) once completed (the latest version of Adobe PDF Reader is required). Download it to your smartphone or view it using the Outdoor Alabama application.

Alabama’s Free Fishing Day

Two men fishing on a dockAlabama’s Free Fishing Day each calendar year provides an opportunity for anyone to enjoy fishing in Alabama public waters without a fishing license (some lakes may still require fees and permits).

Visit www.OutdoorAlabama.com for more information about fishing in Alabama.

Thank you for supporting fish management and the protection of Alabama’s aquatic resources by purchasing an Alabama Recreational Fishing License!

Did you know? 100% of your license fee goes to management of, protection of, and education about Alabama’s natural resources. Your purchase also helps our state to gain matching federal funds available from excise taxes on anglers’ and boaters’ equipment and gasoline purchases.

Do I Qualify as a Resident?

For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, contact Extension Communications and Marketing at 334-844-5696 or extcomm@aces.edu.

 


Emily Nichols, Extension Specialist, Alabama 4-H, Auburn University

Revised August 2022, Everyone Can Fish Alabama: How to Purchase an Alabama Recreational Freshwater Fishing License, 4HYD-2366