Flathead Catfish in Alabama
flathead catfish under the 2026-27 Alabama rules.
- no daily capcreel
- 80 lbs., 0 oz.record
Pick for flathead catfishPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of the species, not an Alabama water: ted_rocket, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick facts on Alabama flathead catfish
The freshwater row that governs flathead catfish is the one called "Catfish (under 34 inches)". That comes to no daily limit; the season reads open all year. The limit is shared by every fish in that group, not counted per species. On the ADCNR species page it is Pylodictis olivaris.
The heaviest one ADCNR has certified is 80 lbs., 0 oz., by Rick Conner in 1986, from Alabama River, Selma. 8 water pages on this site list it, starting with Lake Martin, Wilson Lake and Woodruff Lake.
For the flathead catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Keeping flathead catfish legally in Alabama
| Row as printed | Waters | Creel and size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catfish (under 34 inches) | Public fresh waters statewide | No daily limit | open all year |
| Catfish (over 34 inches) | Public fresh waters statewide | 1 a day | open all year |
This size limit shall not apply to catfish harvested from the Perdido, Conecuh, Blackwater, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, Chipola, and Chattahoochee rivers basins. It shall be unlawful to transport live catfish 34 inches in length or greater beyond the boundaries of this State.
Limits as printed in the Official 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest (ADCNR, eRegulations edition) (limits page; digest PDF), read November 1, 2026.
Alabama record-book flathead catfish
| List | Weight | Angler | Water | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 80 lbs., 0 oz. | Rick Conner | Alabama River, Selma | June 22, 1986 |
ADCNR (Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division for freshwater; Marine Resources Division State Record Fish Committee for saltwater); freshwater list, saltwater list, read November 1, 2026.
Lakes, rivers and bays for flathead catfish in Alabama
Alabama lake pages that name flathead catfish
- Lake Martin39,180 acres
- Wilson Lake15,500 acres
- Woodruff Lake12,510 acres
- Coffeeville Lake8,500 acres
- Lake Jordan6,800 acres
- Yates Lake1,980 acres
- Point A Lake600 acres
River and creek pages naming flathead catfish
- Alabama RiverDallas County
ADCNR reservoir, river and public fishing lake species lists, the record waters and the MRD inshore species; largest waters first.
More Alabama species near flathead catfish
- Blue Catfishfreshwater
- Channel Catfishfreshwater
- White Catfishfreshwater
The country around Flathead Catfish through a lens
Photo: John Coley, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Jody Claborn, Public domain
Photo: Tennessee Valley Authority, CC BY 2.0
Alabama flathead catfish, the usual questions
What is the Alabama daily creel for flathead catfish?
Daily: No daily limit. Season: open all year.
Who caught the Alabama record flathead catfish?
ADCNR lists 80 lbs., 0 oz., Rick Conner, 1986, Alabama River, Selma.
Which Alabama water pages on this site name flathead catfish?
Look at Lake Martin, Wilson Lake and Woodruff Lake; 8 pages in all.
Is the Alabama flathead catfish limit the same everywhere?
No digest exception names it.
What season covers Alabama flathead catfish?
Season as printed: open all year.
Which Alabama license should I carry for flathead catfish?
Freshwater anglers need an Alabama fishing license from 16 on ($17.45 resident, $68.20 nonresident for 2026-27); residents 65 and older are exempt.
Who certifies an Alabama flathead catfish record?
The freshwater rules: biologist identification, certified scales, two witnesses, form filed within three months.
Which Latin name does ADCNR give flathead catfish?
ADCNR uses Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris).
Look for flathead catfish near your Alabama base
Start from a water above for launch sites.