2026 regulation year
Alabama Spotted bass + Alabama bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Micropterus punctulatus / Micropterus henshalli
Last updated
The Coosa River chain (Lay, Logan Martin, Neely Henry, Mitchell, Jordan) is the spotted-bass spiritual home — Micropterus henshalli (the Alabama bass) was formally described as a separate species in 2008 and is endemic to the Mobile Basin. Lake Martin on the Tallapoosa River produces deep-water spotted bass to 7+ pounds. Alabama has no statewide length limit on spotted bass — deliberate policy to encourage trophy management.
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Season
Open year-round Open year-round.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 10 / day combined black bass
- Possession
- 10 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- No statewide length limit on spotted / Alabama bass — Coosa chain trophy management
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited
- Coosa River chain: spotted bass no length limit, 10 / day combined black bass
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Alabama waters:
Lake Martin
No length limit on spotted, 10 / day combined; deep-water trophy spots
Lay Lake
No length limit on spotted, 10 / day combined; 2007 Bassmaster Classic venue
Logan Martin Lake
No length limit on spotted, 10 / day combined
Neely Henry Lake
No length limit on spotted, 10 / day combined
Smith Lake
13–15 in protected slot on spotted, Alabama, and largemouth bass — no harvest of any black bass between 13 and 15 inches; 10 / day combined. Lewis Smith Lake, a deep clear-water reservoir
Official source
Alabama Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division publishes the authoritative 2026 Alabamafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.
The spotted bass + alabama bass rules on this page are sourced from Alabama Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division's official spotted bass + alabama bass regulation page.
Visit official Alabama fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
Spotted bass + Alabama bass closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Alabama Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division's emergency-order feed — check it before any Alabama trip during the active season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is spotted bass + alabama bass season in Alabama?
- Alabama keeps spotted bass + alabama bass open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
- What is the Alabama bag limit for spotted bass + alabama bass?
- The Alabama daily bag limit for spotted bass + alabama bass is 10 / day combined black bass. The possession limit is 10 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
- What size spotted bass + alabama bass can you keep in Alabama?
- The Alabama size rule for spotted bass + alabama bass is No statewide length limit on spotted / Alabama bass — Coosa chain trophy management.
- Do you need a license to fish for spotted bass + alabama bass in Alabama?
- Yes. Alabama requires a valid fishing license to fish for spotted bass + alabama bass, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Alabama license — compare resident and non-resident Alabama fees on the state regulations page below.
- Are there gear restrictions for spotted bass + alabama bass in Alabama?
- Yes. In Alabama, spotted bass + alabama bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited; Coosa River chain: spotted bass no length limit, 10 / day combined black bass.
- Do specific Alabama waters have different spotted bass + alabama bass rules?
- Yes. 5 named Alabama waters carry rules that override the statewide spotted bass + alabama bass regulation, including Lake Martin, Lay Lake, Logan Martin Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.