Protected Fish in Alabama
Sturgeon and paddlefish closed seasons and the saltwater species Alabama anglers may not keep.
Pick for sturgeonPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of Athens: formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0
Alabama freshwater fish that must go back
| Species | Rule | Note as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon | Closed Season | All sturgeon must be immediately returned to water with least possible harm. |
| Paddlefish or Spoonbill | Closed Season | All paddlefish must be immediately returned to water with least possible harm. |
Limits as printed in the Official 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest (ADCNR, eRegulations edition) (limits page; digest PDF), read November 1, 2026.
For the sturgeon herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Alabama saltwater fish on the MRD no-take list
- Goliath Grouper (Jewfish)prohibited in Alabama waters
- Nassau Grouperprohibited in Alabama waters
- Atlantic Angel Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Bigeye Sand Tiger Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Bigeye Sixgill Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Bigeye Thresher Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Bignose Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Caribbean Reef Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Caribbean Sharpnose Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Galapogos Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Narrowtooth Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Night Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Sevengill Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Sixgill Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Dusky Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Longfin Mako Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Shortfin Mako Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Sand Tiger Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Basking Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Whale Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- White Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Smalltail Sharkprohibited in Alabama waters
- Smalltooth Sawfishprohibited in Alabama waters
- Largetooth Sawfishprohibited in Alabama waters
- Spotted Eagle Rayprohibited in Alabama waters
- Atlantic Manta Sandbar Shark (unless the fisherman possesses a NOAA Fisheries sandbar shark research permit)prohibited in Alabama waters
Limits as printed by the ADCNR Marine Resources Division recreational size, creel and possession limits for state waters (MRD limits page), read November 1, 2026.
The Alabama rule for shortfin mako shark
Shortfin Mako shark: see the MRD sheet.
Releasing a protected fish in Alabama
The digest tells anglers to return sturgeon and paddlefish to the water at once with the least possible harm; the same care applies to a prohibited shark or grouper caught by accident.
- Alabama saltwater limitsevery MRD row
- Alabama fish speciesfish that may be kept
Pictures that go with Protected Fish in Alabama
Photo: Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Lindsey Turner, CC BY 2.0
Photo: civilengtiger, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Rian Castillo, CC BY 2.0
Protected fish in Alabama: questions
Can I keep a paddlefish in Alabama?
No; paddlefish (spoonbill) are under a closed season and must be returned to the water at once.
Is it legal to keep a sturgeon caught in Alabama?
No; all sturgeon must be released immediately with the least possible harm.
Is goliath grouper legal to keep in Alabama?
No; goliath and Nassau grouper are on the Alabama prohibited list.
How many saltwater species are no-take in Alabama?
26 on the MRD list, most of them sharks.
Can I keep a hammerhead?
Great, smooth and scalloped hammerheads may be kept at 78 inches fork length, one per person per day; check the sheet before keeping any shark.
Are dusky sharks protected?
Yes; dusky shark is on the Alabama prohibited list.
What if I catch a protected fish by accident?
Release it at once with as little handling as possible.
Where are the other limits?
On the Alabama saltwater limits page and the license and regulations page.