The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has updated its saltwater fishing rules for 2025. These changes affect bag limits, size limits, and possession rules for several species. The Marine Resources Division (MRD) announced the new regulations after approval from the Conservation Advisory Board in May. ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship signed the changes into law on June 17.

MRD Director Scott Bannon said the new rules aim to balance conservation with fishing access. Alabama saw a sharp increase in recreational anglers between 2019 and 2023, jumping from about 140,000 to over 214,000. That rise has added pressure on fish populations along the coast.

The updated regulations include changes to several popular species:

• Sheepshead: Bag limit reduced from 10 to 8 fish per person.
  
  
• Lane Snapper: Minimum size increased to 10 inches total length.
  
  
• Shortfin Mako Shark: Possession now prohibited in Alabama waters.
  
  
• Red Drum: No possession allowed for fish over the 16–26 inch slot. Bag limit remains at 3 per person.
  
  
• Skates and Stingrays: Must be kept if taken by bow, spear, or gig. Bag limit set at 3 per person. It is illegal to remove the tail from released fish.
  
  
• Common Snook: Bag limit set at 1 per person with a 28-inch minimum size.
  
  
• Flounder (Commercial): Daily limit increased from 40 to 80 per person or vessel.
  
  
• Party Boat Captains and Crews: No longer allowed to possess a personal limit of any species.
  

Director Bannon said snook are new to Alabama waters and now have a regulation to manage their growing presence. He also noted that flounder populations have recovered due to conservation work started in 2019.

The new rule for party boats came at the request of commercial license holders. Many were concerned about the practice of captains giving their catch to clients. The change was made to promote better conservation.