Alabama vs Mississippi fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Mississippi is $8.05 cheaper than Alabama. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Mississippi is $0.20 cheaper than Alabama. You need a license from age 16 in Alabama and in Mississippi.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Alabama | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $38.05 | $10 |
| 3 days | $38.05 | $30 |
| 7 days | $38.05 | $68 |
| 1 year | $68.20 | $68 |
| Salt water | ||
| 1 day | $36.65 | $15 |
| 3 days | $36.65 | $15 |
| 7 days | $36.65 | $30 |
| 1 year | $66.80 | $30 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $17.45 | $10 |
| Salt water | $30.90 | $10 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026-27 |
Rules side by side
| Alabama | Mississippi | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Free (fresh + salt): Alabama residents 65 and over (salt water still needs the free Saltwater Angler Registry, and Gulf reef fish need the endorsement) Resident lifetime freshwater fishing license (age 50 and over): $225.50 (ages 50+) Resident lifetime saltwater fishing license (age 50 and over): $375.55 (ages 50+) Resident lifetime freshwater and saltwater fishing license (age 50 and over): $600.40 (ages 50+) | Free (fresh): Mississippi residents aged 65 or over (fresh water only; salt water needs the $5 senior lifetime saltwater license) Resident senior lifetime saltwater license (65+): $5 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | Saltwater Angler Registry (free): Free | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers |
| License on your phone | Accepted | – |
| Annual licenses last | To 08-31 | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Alabama fishing license · Mississippi fishing license
Shared waters
Pickwick Lake (Tennessee River, Alabama-Mississippi) (Alabama rules)
Alabama and Mississippi sport fishing licenses are both valid from the state line junction to Old Riverton Lock (mile 226.6), except Bear Creek embayment south of the Southern Railway bridge. Official source
Aliceville Lake (Tombigbee River, Alabama-Mississippi) (Alabama rules)
Alabama and Mississippi sport fishing licenses are both valid from river mile 322 to Aliceville Lock and Dam. Official source
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Alabama | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Black bass |
Black bass (largemouth, spotted, smallmouth) |
| Smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
Black bass (largemouth, spotted, smallmouth) |
| Walleye |
bag 2 |
bag 3 |
| Crappie |
9" minimum (10" on Weiss Reservoir); bag 30 |
Crappie (black and white) |
| Catfish |
bag No limit under 34"; only 1 over 34" |
bag No limit (Statewide; 2 more) |
| Striped bass |
Striped bass and hybrid striped bass |
Striped bass and hybrids |
| Red drum (redfish) |
Red drum |
18"-30" total length; may keep only 1 over 30"; bag 3 |
| Spotted seatrout |
15" to 22" total length; 1 of the 6 may be over 22"; bag 6 |
Spotted seatrout (speckled trout) |
| Flounder |
14" total length; bag 5 |
12" total length; bag 10 |
| Cobia |
36" fork length; bag 1 |
36" fork length; bag 2 |
Questions
Is a Alabama fishing license valid in Mississippi?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Pickwick Lake (Tennessee River, Alabama-Mississippi); Aliceville Lake (Tombigbee River, Alabama-Mississippi).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Alabama or Mississippi?
1 day (fresh water): Alabama $38.05, Mississippi $10. 1 year (fresh water): Alabama $68.20, Mississippi $68.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Alabama and Mississippi?
You need a license from age 16 in Alabama and in Mississippi.