Coastal fishing: Do I need a license for that?

July 23, 2020

You’re packing the car for your much-anticipated trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and you throw in your fishing tackle. You know, just in case the opportunity arises to wet a hook. After all, you are going to be surrounded by water.

Have you thought about what kind of license you need for Coastal Alabama fishing? A saltwater fishing license is required for all of the waters in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. This includes the Intracoastal Waterway and the back bays. Residents and non-residents are exempt if they are under the age of 16 and residents are exempt at age 65 and older. If you choose to fish on a charter boat, the charter company will provide everything you need, including the license.

Now that the technical details are out of the way, let’s talk about where to fish. Pier fishing is a lot of fun, especially with children. Pick your spot on the 1,540-foot-long Gulf State Park Fishing Pier and drop your line. Your saltwater fishing license can be purchased right there at the pier. It also offers an indoor concession and retail area. Surf fishing is also popular. Area bait shops can fill you in on what to fish with and what you can expect to catch.

Want to leave the shore behind for a few hours? Gulf Shores and Orange Beach has one of the largest charter fishing fleets and the largest artificial reef program in the country. Charters are available for offshore and inshore fishing. For individuals and small groups, a headboat, also known as a party boat, is a great option. These boats carry as many as 60 people for a day on the water. The charter boats will supply your fishing license, bait and tackle. All you need to do is show up and enjoy the day!

You’ll find license information, charters and more on our website.