Bowfishing in Alabama is a legal and popular pursuit, but the rules around which fish you can target, what gear you can use, and where you can shoot matter a great deal. Getting any of those details wrong can turn a great day on the water into a citation from a conservation officer.
Whether you’re a lifelong Alabama angler picking up a bow for the first time or a visiting archer planning a trip to the Tennessee River or the Gulf Coast, this guide walks you through every layer of Alabama’s bowfishing regulations — freshwater and saltwater — so you can fish with confidence.
Pro Tip: Alabama’s bowfishing rules fall under two separate regulatory frameworks — the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division for inland waters and the Marine Resources Division for saltwater. Always confirm which jurisdiction covers your target water before you go.
Is Bowfishing Legal in Alabama?
Yes, bowfishing is legal in Alabama. Bowfishing with any longbow, recurve bow, compound bow, or crossbow using barbed arrows attached by line to the bow, float, vessel, or shooter is legal for the taking of commercial or non-game fish. That means bowfishing is an officially recognized and permitted fishing method under Alabama law — not a gray area.
The key phrase in that regulation is “commercial or non-game fish.” It is illegal to take, catch, or kill, or attempt to take, catch, or kill any game fish by any means other than ordinary hook and line, artificial lure, live bait, troll, or spinner in any of the public waters of this state. In plain terms: your bow is off-limits for game fish, full stop.
Alabama also extends bowfishing rights to saltwater. Alabama allows you to bowfish for non-game and invasive fish species, but you cannot bowfish for game fish. You can also bowfish in saltwater for select species with the proper license. Saltwater bowfishing carries its own separate rules, which are covered in detail below.
If you’re curious how Alabama’s approach compares to neighboring states, see our guides on bowfishing laws in Tennessee and bowfishing laws in Georgia.
What Fish Can You Bowfish for in Alabama?
Alabama divides its fish into two broad categories: game fish and commercial or non-game fish. You may only target non-game and commercial fish with a bow. The following are named and designated as game fish in Alabama: rainbow trout, all members of the sunfish family to include largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, shoal, and redeye bass species; those fish commonly referred to as bream (which include rock bass, flier, shadow bass, warmouth, redbreast, bluegill, longear, and redear/shellcracker); black and white crappie; all members of the temperate bass family to include saltwater striped, white, and yellow bass and any hybrids thereof; all members of the pike family to include chain, redfin, and grass pickerel; and the following members of the perch family: sauger, walleye, and yellow perch. Every species on that list is off-limits for bowfishing.
Everything that falls outside the game fish designation is fair game with your bow. Common non-game fish species in Alabama waters include channel, blue, and flathead catfish, lake sturgeon, bowfin, and freshwater drum. Beyond those, popular bowfishing targets in Alabama include common carp, bighead carp, silver carp, grass carp, various gar species (including the alligator gar, Atractosteus spatula), buffalo fish, and Asian carp. Some of the most common freshwater fish shot are bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, catfish, buffalo, and several varieties of gar. Many of these fall under the category of rough or trash fish.
One important note for catfish: while catfish are listed as non-game fish in Alabama’s freshwater regulations, always verify the specific water body you plan to fish, as some waters carry special restrictions. Always check the ADCNR regulations for the water body you’ll be fishing in.
Important Note: Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) receive special protection in Alabama. Regulation 220-2-.43 makes it unlawful to willfully waste paddlefish. Even if you accidentally shoot one, you must handle it with care and follow any applicable rules — contact the ADCNR for guidance.
| Fish Category | Bowfishing Allowed? | Common Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Non-game / Commercial Fish | Yes | Common carp, gar, buffalo, drum, bowfin, catfish |
| Invasive Carp Species | Yes | Bighead carp, silver carp, grass carp |
| Game Fish | No | Bass, crappie, bream, walleye, trout, striped bass |
| Protected Species | No | Paddlefish (special protection), certain sharks |
Bowfishing License Requirements in Alabama
You cannot pick up a bow and wade into Alabama’s waters without a license. A sport fishing license is required for freshwater bowfishing. This applies to residents and non-residents alike who are of licensing age.
Generally, individuals aged 16 years and older, whether residents or non-residents, are required to possess a valid fishing license to fish in public waters. Residents aged 65 and older do not need a fishing license but must provide valid proof of residency and age while fishing. Children under 16, regardless of residency status, can fish without a license.
Residents who are home on military leave, with appropriate identification, are also exempt from needing a license. Active-duty military personnel stationed in Alabama and their spouses and dependents who reside with them are treated as Alabama residents for licensing purposes.
For saltwater bowfishing, a separate license is required. Bow fishing requires a saltwater fishing license. License options include the Resident Annual Saltwater Fishing License, the Resident Seven-Day Trip Saltwater Fishing License, and the Nonresident Annual and Seven-Day Trip Saltwater Fishing License. A saltwater fishing license is required for all persons fishing or possessing fish in saltwater areas of Alabama. Residents and non-residents under the age of 16 are exempt. Residents age 65 and over are exempt.
You can purchase your license online at MyOutdoorAlabama.com, by phone at 1-888-848-6887, or in person at sporting goods retailers, bait shops, and county probate offices. Always carry your fishing license with you — either in paper or digital form — as conservation officers may request to see it while you’re fishing.
If you plan to sell your bowfished catch, a commercial fishing license is required in addition to your recreational license. If the fish are to be sold, a commercial fishing license is needed. Fish caught under a commercial license are required to be reported through a Seafood Dealer.
For more on Alabama’s animal and wildlife law framework, you may also find our overview of bow hunting laws in Alabama helpful, as some equipment regulations overlap.
Legal Bowfishing Equipment in Alabama
Alabama’s administrative code is specific about what bow types are permitted. Bowfishing with any longbow, recurve bow, compound bow, crossbow equipped with a working safety, or sling bow using barbed arrows attached by line to the bow, float, vessel, or shooter is the legal definition under Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.46. Note that the crossbow must be equipped with a working safety — a crossbow without a functioning safety mechanism does not qualify.
The arrows themselves must be barbed and must be attached by a line to the bow, a float, the vessel, or the shooter. This line-and-barb requirement is what distinguishes legal bowfishing gear from standard archery equipment. You cannot simply shoot an unattached arrow into the water.
A few additional equipment rules apply to the broader fishing context you’ll be operating in:
- It is unlawful to use electrical devices, explosives, poisons, or firearms to take fish of any species from public waters.
- It is unlawful to fillet a fish or remove heads while fishing or to possess fillets of fish while on public waters, except when fish are being prepared for immediate cooking and consumption.
- Boat registration and required safety equipment must comply with Alabama boating laws if you’re shooting from a vessel.
Pro Tip: If you’re also a bow hunter, note that bowfishing arrow specifications differ from hunting arrow rules. Review Regulation 220-2-.03 (Legal Specifications for Bow and Arrow for Hunting) separately — the two rule sets are not interchangeable.
For a broader look at how Alabama regulates archery equipment across activities, see our article on bow hunting laws in Alabama.
Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in Alabama
Alabama’s public freshwater lakes, rivers, and reservoirs are generally open to bowfishing for non-game fish. The Tennessee River system, the Coosa River chain, Lake Guntersville, Weiss Lake, and the Alabama River are among the most popular destinations. However, access to any specific water body comes with conditions.
It is illegal to fish in public waters on or from posted private land without the owner’s permission. It is illegal to fish in private waters without permission from the owners. This matters for bowfishers who may want to access a river from a private bank or wade into a private pond. If the land is posted or privately owned, you need explicit permission.
Public access areas include state-owned and/or operated boat launching ramps, associated parking lots, piers, and any real or personal property within the boundaries of such areas. Such public access areas are for the uses of pleasure boating, hunting, and fishing. These areas are your clearest legal access points.
A few specific water-body restrictions are worth knowing:
- Some waters carry special creel limits or gear restrictions beyond the statewide defaults — always check the ADCNR regulation book for the specific reservoir or river you plan to fish.
- It is unlawful, on or adjacent to the waters of Alabama under the jurisdiction of the Marine Resources Division, for any person to bowfish for sharks or fish for or target sharks by any other means from any pier or beach.
- Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) may have their own access and activity rules. Check with the ADCNR before bowfishing on WMA land.
If you’re bowfishing from a boat, make sure the vessel is properly registered with the Alabama Department of Revenue and carries all required Coast Guard safety equipment. If using a boat, ensure it’s properly registered and equipped with required safety gear.
Curious how neighboring states handle water access for bowfishing? Compare notes with our guides on bowfishing laws in Mississippi and bowfishing laws in Tennessee.
Night Bowfishing Rules in Alabama
Night bowfishing is one of the sport’s biggest draws — gar, carp, and drum are far easier to spot under artificial lights when they move into shallow water after dark. Alabama does not have a statewide prohibition on night bowfishing for non-game fish in freshwater, making it a viable option across most public waters.
That said, night fishing from a vessel brings its own set of safety and legal obligations. Alabama boating law requires that all vessels operating after sunset display proper navigation lights. A bowfishing boat running a high-powered LED light bar must still have its running lights on and visible to other watercraft.
The ADCNR’s 2025–2026 regulation book does not list a specific nighttime prohibition for freshwater bowfishing of non-game species, but a few practical rules still apply at night:
- You must still hold a valid sport fishing license — the time of day does not change the license requirement.
- You cannot target game fish at night any more than you can during the day. The species restriction applies 24 hours a day.
- Care should be taken to not use a bow in a swimming area or around people. This is especially important at night when visibility is reduced and other water users may not see you.
- If you’re bowfishing from a public boat ramp or access area, be aware that some areas have posted rules about nighttime use — check signage before you launch.
For saltwater night bowfishing, the same saltwater license requirement applies, and all creel and size limits remain in force regardless of the hour.
Pro Tip: Many Alabama bowfishers use submersible LED lights or above-water light bars to illuminate shallow flats at night. Neither is prohibited under state law, but always verify local ordinances if you’re fishing near a municipality or within a state park boundary.
Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in Alabama
Alabama’s Gulf Coast offers a distinct bowfishing experience — stingrays, skates, and certain sharks are all legal targets in saltwater, and the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the ADCNR manages this fishery separately from freshwater regulations.
Bowfishing requires a saltwater fishing license. This is a hard requirement with no exceptions for age groups that are otherwise exempt in freshwater (other than residents 65 and over and those under 16). A saltwater fishing license is also required if using a cast net, gig, bow, crab trap, or spearfishing.
When it comes to specific saltwater species, the rules break down as follows:
- Stingrays and skates: Stingrays and skates taken by bow, spear, or gig are subject to a bag limit of three (3) per person. The regulation also makes it unlawful to remove the tail from any released stingray or skate. This rule was adopted as of June 2025 to protect brood stock.
- Sharks: Shark fishing with a bow is legal, but sharks must meet the minimum lengths and be a legal species to take. Sharks are often hard to identify from the top. Study your shark identification before targeting them.
- Prohibited shark species: Prohibited species include Goliath Grouper, Nassau Grouper, Atlantic Angel Shark, Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark, White Shark, Whale Shark, Spotted Eagle Ray, Atlantic Manta, and several others. Shooting any of these with a bow carries serious legal consequences.
- Game fish: It is unlawful for any person to take, catch, or kill or attempt to take, catch, or kill any game fish by any means other than ordinary hook and line, artificial lure, troll, or spinner in any of the public waters of Alabama. Redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and other saltwater game fish cannot be taken with a bow.
One waste rule applies specifically to the saltwater environment: it is unlawful for any person to discard dead fish, fish parts, or carcasses or other dead seafood within 500 feet of any shoreline. If you shoot a stingray and keep it, you must transport the carcass properly — not dump it near the beach.
Creel and size limits apply when using a bow for both recreational and commercial uses in saltwater. Before heading to the coast, call the MRD directly at 251-861-2882 or 251-968-7576 to confirm current regulations, as saltwater rules can change more frequently than freshwater rules.
For context on how other Gulf and southeastern states handle saltwater bowfishing, see our guides on bowfishing laws in Virginia and bowfishing laws in North Carolina.
Alabama’s bowfishing regulations are well-defined once you know where to look. The core rules are consistent: use a legal bow type, attach your arrow by line, hold a valid license, and target only non-game species. Keep those four principles in mind and you’ll stay on the right side of the law whether you’re shooting carp on the Coosa or stingrays in Mobile Bay.
For other Alabama wildlife and outdoor activity laws, explore our related guides on dog leash laws in Alabama, roadkill laws in Alabama, and beekeeping laws in Alabama. You can also compare Alabama’s bowfishing framework with other states like Missouri, Ohio, and Minnesota.