Alabama regulations
Channel Catfish Regulations in Alabama 2026
Alabama Channel Catfish regulations as of 2026-05-08: Daily bag 1; Max size 34 inches; Status Permitted. Sourced from DCNR.
Rules (15)
Alabama Public Waters
- Daily bag
- 1
It shall be unlawful to transport live catfish 34 inches in length or greater beyond the boundaries of this State.
Blackwater River BasinOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Max size
- 34"
This size limit shall not apply to catfish harvested from the Perdido, Conecuh, Blackwater, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, Chipola, and Chattahoochee rivers basins.
Chattahoochee River BasinOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Max size
- 34"
This size limit shall not apply to catfish harvested from the Perdido, Conecuh, Blackwater, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, Chipola, and Chattahoochee rivers basins.
Chipola River BasinOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Max size
- 34"
This size limit shall not apply to catfish harvested from the Perdido, Conecuh, Blackwater, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, Chipola, and Chattahoochee rivers basins.
Choctawhatchee River BasinOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Max size
- 34"
This size limit shall not apply to catfish harvested from the Perdido, Conecuh, Blackwater, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, Chipola, and Chattahoochee rivers basins.
Conecuh River BasinOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Max size
- 34"
This size limit shall not apply to catfish harvested from the Perdido, Conecuh, Blackwater, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, Chipola, and Chattahoochee rivers basins.
Perdido River BasinOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Max size
- 34"
This size limit shall not apply to catfish harvested from the Perdido, Conecuh, Blackwater, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, Chipola, and Chattahoochee rivers basins.
Yellow River BasinOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Max size
- 34"
This size limit shall not apply to catfish harvested from the Perdido, Conecuh, Blackwater, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, Chipola, and Chattahoochee rivers basins.
Channel Catfish on famous Alabama waters
Dedicated rule pages for Channel Catfish on the most-targeted destinations in Alabama.
Also known as
Channel Catfish is also called Catfish. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Alabama.
Frequently asked questions
When is Channel Catfish season in Alabama?
Channel Catfish season in Alabama is set by DCNR. Some zones may have specific open windows; see the rule table above.
What is the size limit for Channel Catfish in Alabama?
Alabama does not publish a state-wide minimum size for Channel Catfish. Check zone-specific rules above.
What is the daily bag limit for Channel Catfish in Alabama?
Daily bag limit for Channel Catfish in Alabama is 1 in Alabama Public Waters, per DCNR.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/25ALAB_LR.pdf
- https://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater-fishing-creel-and-size-limits
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DCNR before keeping a catch. Last verified .