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Perdido Pass Orange Beach AL at sunrise

Fishing Seasons

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach 

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Any Day Spent Fishing is a Good Day! Plan ahead of your next family fishing vacation to make sure you get access to all of the fish you're looking for. Get insight into the best time of the year to visit depending on the fishing season and where you plan on fishing, whether it be inshore, offshore, or nearshore. Fishing in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach won't disappoint, as you get access to a variety of different fish from king mackerels and Spanish mackerels to red snappers and groupers, depending on the season. Several area restaurants will complete your Gulf Coast fishing experience by preparing your fresh catch for you. It just doesn't get any fresher than that!

Don't forget to make things easier on yourself by booking a fishing charter and get access to local experts and captains to ensure your catch is plentiful when you visit. 

2023 Red Snapper Season 

Known as “Red Snapper capital of the World,” Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are the best place to find these remarkable fish.  State waters and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest Friday, May 26, 2023. The season will consist of four-day weekends, Friday through Monday, and continue until the private angler quota is projected to be met.

The season dates listed above only apply to anglers fishing from shore, private recreational vessels and state-licensed Alabama commercial party boats that do not hold federal for-hire fishing permits. The season for anglers fishing from federally-permitted for-hire vessels will be announced by NOAA Fisheries at a future date.

The bag limit for snapper is two per person.

2023 Amberjack & Triggerfish Seasons

We anticipate the recreational harvest of greater amberjack in federal and Alabama state waters will open for the month of May and close on June 1. The season will most likely reopen on August 1 and remain open until November. The bag limit for greater amberjack is one per person.

We anticipate the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish in federal and Alabama state waters to open on March 1, 2023 and stay open through May 31, 2023. Harvest will most likely close on June 1 and remain closed through July 31. Fall and winter seasons should open on August 1, 2023, and stay open until December 31, 2023. The bag limit for triggerfish is one per person.

From pier fishing at the Gulf State Park Pier to spending the day at Little Lagoon, there is somewhere for both novice and experienced anglers to cast their line. Details may be found on the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website.

Fishing is a year-round sport along the shores of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.  Here's a list of what's biting and what's in season.

Seasons by Species

Amberjack

Caught offshore, year-round, with a peak season of May - mid September. 

Bluefish

Caught inshore and nearshore, March - November

Cobia

Caught nearshore, March - October with peak season in April

Atlantic Croaker

Caught inshore, April - October. 

Crevalle Jack

Caught inshore, May - November. 

Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish)

Caught offshore, June - October with peak season in June. 

Black Drum

Caught inshore, March - October with peak season in May - June. 

Red Drum

Caught inshore, year-round.

Gulf Flounder

Caught inshore and nearshore, April - October. 

Grouper

Caught offshore, year-round. 

Gulf and Southern Kingfish

Caught inshore and offshore, May - September. 

King Mackerel

Caught nearshore and offshore, April - October with peak season August - Mid September. 

Spanish Mackerel

Caught inshore and nearshore, March - September with peak season in July - August. 

Pompano

Caught nearshore, March - October with peak season in July - August. 

Atlantic Sailfish

Caught offshore, May - October with peak season July - August. 

Sand and Silver Seatrout

Caught inshore, May - November with peak season June - July. 

Sharks

Caught nearshore and offshore, March - November. 

Sheepshead

Caught inshore, year-round with peak season in March. 

Red Snapper

Caught nearshore and offshore, season changes yearly. 

Fishing FAQ's

1. Can you fish on public beaches in Alabama

If you are an Alabama resident between the ages of 16-64 you are able to fish on public property with a permit. If you are 65+ or under 16 years old, no permit it required. 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. If you choose to fish on a charter boat, the charter company will provide everything you need, including the license.

2. What is the daily bag limit in the Gulf Shores?

Limits vary by species. For recreatrional fishing limits, please visit  Outdoor Alabama. 

3. What fish are in season in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach?

Fish Seasons

January

Black Drum

Oysters

Sheepshead

February

Black Drum

Grouper

Oysters

March

Black Drum

Grouper

Sheepshead

Mullet

Oysters

April

Grouper

Spanish Mackerel

Hard-Shell Crab

May

Shark

Mullet

Spanish Mackerel

Hard-Shell Crab

Soft-Shell Crab

June

Shark

Red Snapper

Flounder

Atlantic Croaker

King Mackerel

Brown Shrimp

Hard-Shell Crab

Soft-Shell Crab

July

Red Snapper

Flounder

Atlantic Croaker

King Mackerel

Brown Shrimp

Hard-Shell Crab

Soft-Shell Crab

August

King Mackerel

Flounder

Brown Shrimp

Hard-Shell Crab

September

Flounder

Mullet

Atlantic Croaker

Amberjack

King Mackerel

White Shrimp

October

Spanish Mackerel

Atlantic Croaker

Mullet

Amberjack

Flounder

White Shrimp

November

Sheepshead

Mullet

Oysters

White Shrimp

December

Black Drum

Sheepshead

Oysters

White Shrimp

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