Three anglers on a bass fishing trip in Alabama holding up six large fish

YOUR ALABAMA FISHING GUIDE

Q: What's the largest lake in Alabama?

The Appalachian foothills of Alabama are home to the largest lake in Alabama, Lake Guntersville. The lake consists of 949 miles of shoreline and about 69,000 acres of freshwater fishing habitat.

Q: How many rods can you fish with, in Alabama?

No more than 3 fishing rods, poles or reels may be used per angler when fishing in the state of Alabama. This rule includes any combination of the rod and reels.

Q: What is the limit on catfish in Alabama?

There isn't a limit on catfish under 34 inches in Alabama. Anglers should pay special attention to the local rules and regulations for the exact fishing spot they are fishing since limits can change from one place to another.

Q: How much is deep sea fishing in Gulf Shores?

It will depend on how long your trip is, how big your boat is, and how many people are in your party. However, most tours can be found for between $600 to $800. For a serious deep sea fishing experience, you can expect to pay around $2,000 for a 12 hours trip for some big Tuna or Marlin.

Q: Is offshore or inshore fishing better?

This is a common question, and the answer really depends on the experience you're looking for when booking your fishing guide service. An inshore trip is perfect for a full-service family-friendly adventure or serious anglers with not much time and looking to land some Speckled Trout, Redfish, or Flounder. When heading offshore, the boat will be on the big open ocean, and the fishing will be bigger, as well.

11 Fishing Trips from 3 Outfitters Starting at $300

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TOP FISHING GUIDES IN ALABAMA

Tim Chandlers Pro Guide Service trips from $325
Donald Johnson Fishing trips from $325
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service trips from $300

TOP ALABAMA FISHING TRIPS

Lake Guntersville Weekday Fishing Trip

$325 for 2
Lake Guntersville, AL

Half Day: 4hrs
Lake Guntersville Weekend Fishing Trip

$400 for 2
Lake Guntersville, AL

Half Day: 4hrs
Full Day Lake Guntersville - Weekdays

$425 for 2
Lake Guntersville, AL

Full Day: 8hrs
6 Hours on Lake Guntersville - Weekdays

$375 for 2
Lake Guntersville, AL

Full Day: 6hrs

Fishing In Alabama

When looking for an Alabama fishing experience, we recommend reading the below so you know where to go and gain some understanding of what you'll be fishing. With so many fishing guide services in Alabama, the number of fishing opportunities in Alabama is numerous.

Let's begin with your options for species of fish in Alabama. When you book a fishing trip you will have the choice of Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Alligator Gar (state record 159 lbs 9 oz), White Crappie, Trout (state record 9 lbs 1 oz), and Walleye (state record 10 lbs 14 oz) for your freshwater fishing. Saltwater fishing species in Alabama are numerous; some of the most popular are red snapper, Cobia, Grouper, Drum, Marlin, Snapper, Tuna, and Triggerfish.

The official state fish of Alabama is the Fighting Tarpon. This bright silver fish saltwater fish is well-known for its thrashing out of the water and incredible size, reaching 100lbs or more! Many anglers will agree that seeing this beautiful fish jerking, thrashing, and clearing the water is one of the most exciting experiences an angler can have on the world-class Alabama coastline.

Best Fishing in Alabama
Fishing in Gulf Shores
- Gulf Shores and Orange Beach fishing are the two best places to fish in Alabama. This area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and is an old fishing town at its roots. That means fishing is in the local fishing guide's blood here. If you can get here with your family, especially during the red snapper season, rest assured that if you head out to enjoy the fishing spots or stay and enjoy the nearby entertainment will have a memory of a lifetime.
Pickwick Lake Fishing
- Pickwick Lake is unique in that it's home to not just one trophy species, but three! Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass trophies are all caught in this beautiful lake. This lake has a surface area of over 43,000 acres, with an average depth of 21 feet. This lake is a constant on the Bassmaster Top 100 bass lakes.
Tennessee River Fishing
- Have you been searching for a trophy catfishing river? Look no further! Some of these big cats have been known to weigh close to or even above 100 lbs. Tennessee River is the river that connects all of Alabamas most magnificent fishing lakes. These lakes, many on the "Alabama Bass Trail," include Wheeler Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, and Lake Martin.
Fort Morgan Fishing
- Fort Morgan is home to some excellent surf fishing, even with this method, many anglers land the big one. However, if you don't know where to go and aren't an expert in the area, then we highly recommend finding a fishing guide to show you the ropes of this beautiful coastline first. We recommend targetting White Trout at the west side of the beach, near where it makes a turn into the bay.
Lake Guntersville Fishing
- A top fishing destination in Alabama. Lake Guntersville is one of the state's prized public fishing lakes. You won't have a problem on this lake finding a full-service Bass fishing guide. The official record catch on this lake is a hefty 14.5 pounds! Enjoy fishing the grass flats, and various creeks found around the lake.
Other Fishing Spots
- Lay Lake, Sipsey Fork, and Lewis Smith Lake.
Fishing Licenses and Regulations

You can purchase a license online or walk-in to any license agent, including Walmart and local outdoor sporting goods stores. When looking for fishing charters in Alabama, check to see if they include the license needed for your offshore fishing trip.

Residents who are 16-64 years old are required to have a fishing license. If you're visiting for vacation, then you will need to purchase a license if you're over the age of 16. Fishing from a pier still requires a fishing license. If you live in the county you're fishing on the shore in, then Alabama does not require a fishing license. Fishing private waters don't need a fishing license, but Alabama does require the permission of the landowner. In all cases, check with your local fish and game authorities by visiting Outdoor Alabama.