FishKillFlea From the massive Tennessee River impoundments in the north to the fertile Mobile Bay estuary in the south, Alabama is widely considered one of the greatest sportfishing states in America. You will need a $16.15 AL freshwater license for the lakes, and a $28.50 saltwater license for the coast.
The Famous Northern Impoundments (Freshwater)
| Spot | Region | Species | Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Guntersville | Northeast AL | Largemouth Bass | Routinely ranked #1 or #2 bass lake in the USA! |
| Pickwick Lake | NW Border | Smallmouth Bass | Massive Tennessee River smallmouth factory |
| Weiss Lake | NE Border | Crappie | Proudly dubbed the "Crappie Capital of the World" |
The Saltwater Coast (Requires Saltwater License)
| Water | Region | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Bay | Mobile | Speckled Trout, Redfish | Incredible vast estuary with oil rigs and gas platforms inshore |
| Gulf Shores Offshore | Orange Beach | Red Snapper, Grouper | World-class bottom fishing (Requires $10 Reef Endorsement!) |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Bass Spawn, Crappie | Guntersville, Weiss | March pre-spawn bass fishing on Guntersville is legendary |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Red Snapper | Orange Beach | The offshore reef bite is incredible during federal seasons |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Bull Redfish, Bass | Mobile Bay pass | Massive bull reds moving in through the passes from the Gulf |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Smallmouth, Spotted Bass | Pickwick, Lewis Smith | Float-and-fly or deep jigging clear water spots |
Neighboring: Tennessee for northern impoundment connections, Florida for panhandle saltwater trips, Mississippi for western border waters.
An AL annual freshwater license is $16.15. See full costs or buy yours.