Can I Keep This Fish?

Pick where you caught it, what it is and how long it measures. You’ll get keep or release straight from ADCNR’s current freshwater size and creel limits — and the daily limit that goes with it.

Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie · Public domain

⚠ Regulations change — confirm with ADCNR before you keep a fish. This checker covers the freshwater rules in ADCNR’s official table only. Posted rules at state and federal public fishing lakes override it. Read the official limits.

Where did you catch it?What fish?Total length (inches)Mouth closed to tip of the tail, tail pinched closed.

Enter a length to get an answer.

Special length limits on Alabama waters

Guntersville (and Town Creek): largemouth and smallmouth 15-inch minimum
Pickwick: largemouth and smallmouth 15-inch minimum
Wheeler and Wilson: smallmouth 15-inch minimum
Walter F. George (Eufaula) and West Point: largemouth 14-inch minimum
Harris (Wedowee): largemouth 13–16-inch protected slot
Lewis Smith: largemouth, Alabama and spotted bass 13–15-inch protected slot
Weiss: crappie 10-inch minimum
Statewide: crappie 9-inch minimum, sauger 15-inch minimum — no statewide minimum on black bass

Saltwater fish aren’t in this checker. For the Gulf, see what’s open today. Need a license? Alabama fishing license guide.

Source: ADCNR — Freshwater Fishing Creel and Size Limits (2025-2026 regulations). Every rule checked against the ADCNR page on 2026-11-09.