Sport Fish of Alabama

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Sport Fish of Alabama Doug Darr Alabama Division
of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Division 1-334-242-3884 Doug.Darr_at_DCNR.Alabama.go
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Alabama has many common sport fish and species
only found in certain rivers.
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What is Alabamas most popular sport fish?
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LARGEMOUTH BASS mouth extends beyond the
eye dorsal fin deeply notched no teeth on the
tongue. Found statewide.
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SPOTTED BASS mouth extends to near the rear of
eye dorsal fin broadly connected often with
teeth on the tongue. Two subspecies found
statewide.
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SMALLMOUTH BASS no lateral stripes sides brown
to olive eye sometimes reddish mouth extends
almost to eyes rear margin. Found mostly in the
Tennessee River.
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REDEYE BASS tail fin edged in white mouth
extends to or beyond the eye teeth on the
tongue. Found above the fall line in the Mobile
basin.
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SHOAL BASS body with vertical dark blotches no
white on tail fin no teeth on tongue. Found in
tributaries of the Chattahoochee.
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WHITE CRAPPIE five or six dorsal spines five or
more anal spines may have dark, vertical
bars. Found statewide.
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BLACK CRAPPIE seven or eight dorsal spines five
or more anal spines mottled body. Found
statewide.
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BLUEGILL long, pointed pectoral fin all black
earflap spot as wide as it is long dark spot on
the dorsal fin. Found statewide, Alabamas most
common fish.
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REDEAR SUNFISH long, pointed pectoral
fin earflap with margin of color no dark spot
on the dorsal fin. Found statewide.
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GREEN SUNFISH short pectoral fin earflap with
margin of color dark spot on the dorsal
fin. Found statewide.
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REDBREAST SUNFISH short pectoral fin earflap
longer than wide with no margin of color. Not
found in the coastal plain part of Mobile basin.
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LONGEAR SUNFISH short pectoral fin earflap
longer than wide with margin of color or clear
area. Found statewide, mostly in streams.
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ROCK BASS more anal spines, 5-7, than other
sunfish except fliers and crappie 10-12 dorsal
spines 9-11 anal rays. Found only in the
Tennessee basin.
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SHADOW BASS more anal spines, 5-7, than other
sunfish except fliers and crappie 11-12 dorsal
spines 10-11 anal rays. Alabama except the
Tennessee basin.
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FLIER more anal spines, 7-9, than other sunfish
except crappie 11-13 dorsal spines 14-16 anal
rays. Found mostly in the Coastal Plain.
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CHANNEL CATFISH barbels (whiskers) curved anal
fin with 24 to 29 soft rays forked tail
younger fish often with spots. Found statewide.
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BLUE CATFISH barbels (whiskers) angular anal fin
with 30 or more soft rays forked tail no
spots. Found statewide in larger rivers and lakes.
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FLATHEAD CATFISH barbels (whiskers) flat
between eyes relatively round tail. Found
statewide in larger rivers and lakes.
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BULLHEAD head between eyes rounded tail not
distinctly forked several species (yellow
bullhead pictured). Found statewide.
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STRIPED BASS distinct stripes, often
broken stripe below lateral line complete to
end two distinct tooth patches on tongue. Found
statewide in larger rivers and lakes.
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WHITE BASS stripes often faint anal spines three
lengths stripe below lateral line not complete
to end one medial tooth patches on tongue. Found
statewide in larger rivers and lakes.
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HYBRID STRIPED BASS distinct stripes usually
broken stripe below lateral line complete to
end two distinct tooth patches on tongue. Found
where stocked.
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YELLOW BASS gold color second anal spine longer
than anal fin base stripes distinct and lower
ones broken. Found in Tennessee and Tombigbee
Rivers.
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RAINBOW TROUT pink colors and cigar shape no
barbels small fleshy adipose fin like
catfish. Stocked in Madison County Lake (winter)
and below Smith Lake dam (every 2 months).
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WALLEYE one or two spines on anal fin black spot
at base of dorsal fin white tip on lower lobe of
tail fin. Found statewide in larger rivers and
lakes.
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SAUGER lower lobe of tail fin mottled no black
spot at base of dorsal fin four dark saddles
on body. Found in the Tennessee River.
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YELLOW PERCH 6 to 8 Dark Vertical BarsOne or Two
Spines on the Anal Fin Native to the Mobile
Delta.Introduced in the Chattahoochee,
Tallapoosa and Tennessee Rivers.
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CHAIN PICKEREL mouth like a duck tail fin
forked body very long with chain-like
coloration bar below eye nearly vertical. Found
statewide.
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REDFIN PICKEREL mouth like a duck tail fin
forked body very long with various
coloration bar below eye angles back fins often
red. Found statewide.
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PADDLEFISH paddle-shaped snout no scales. Found
statewide in large rivers.
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GULF STURGEON large scutes relatively small
eye small mouth under nose large size
possible subspecies of the Atlantic
sturgeon. Found in rivers going into the Gulf.
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ALABAMA STURGEON large scutes relatively large
eye small mouth under nose shorter than 3
feet. Found only in the lower Mobile basin.
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LONGNOSE GAR long snout, width of snout at
nostrils is less than the diameter of the
eye. Found statewide.
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SPOTTED GAR long snout, width of snout at
nostrils is larger than the diameter of the
eye. Found statewide.
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ALLIGATOR GAR adults have two rows of teeth
long snout, but wider than other gar length of
snout less than 10 times its width. Found in the
lower Mobile basin.
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CARP long dorsal fin barbels and sub-terminal
mouth one saw-toothed spine at the beginning of
the dorsal fin. Exotic found throughout Alabama.
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GRASS CARP 9 or fewer dorsal rays terminal
mouth pharyngeal teeth have deep parallel
grooves (look like a minnows pharyngeal
teeth). Exotic found in ponds and larger
rivers/reservoirs.
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BLACK CARP looks like a grass carp scales
tipped in black pharyngeal teeth appear
molar-like. If possible, take to a fisheries
biologist.
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BIGHEAD CARP small scales mottled eyes low on
their big head literal line dips low. Relatively
new exotic species.
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SILVER CARP small scales silver appearance eyes
low on their big head literal line dips
low. Relatively new exotic species.
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GIZZARD SHAD last dorsal rays long blunt snout
and inferior mouth. Found in reservoirs and
larger rivers.
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THREADFIN SHAD last dorsal ray long terminal
mouth locally known as yellowtails. Found in
reservoirs and larger rivers.
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SKIPJACK HERRING last dorsal ray short edge of
lower jaw is pigmented and protrudes considerably
in front of upper jaw ventral scutes
33-39. Found in flowing reservoirs and larger
rivers.
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ALABAMA SHAD last dorsal ray short edge of
lower jaw is NOT pigmented and jaws nearly even
ventral scutes 35-38. Found in flowing reservoirs
and larger rivers mostly below fall line.
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BLUEBACK HERRING ILLEGAL TO POSSESS look like
an Alabama shad or skipjack herring, but more
cigar-shaped ventral scutes number 21 or
fewer. Exotic likely to be found in striped bass
anglers bait bucket.
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Why Fish
People differ in why they fish
Thoughtful Loaners fish to relax but also want
to develop skills and accomplish something
The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit
of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual
series of occasions for hope. Sir John Buchan
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Why Fish
People differ in why they fish
Family Folk fish to spend time with family and
friends
Many fishing trips bring anglers together and
last a lifetime through the memories they
evoke. Doug Darr, speaker (from Fishing)
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Why Fish
People differ in why they fish
Leisure Seekers place a premium on rest,
relaxation and freedom from responsibilities that
fishing brings.
I like to fish because it is totally relaxing. I
love the water. I can concentrate and forget all
my worries. I count my blessings while
fishing. - George Bush
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Why Fish
People differ in why they fish
Thrill Seekers fish for the excitement of it
these are the competitive anglers or those
seeking the big one.
I can sum my feelings up in two words. Yeah,
baby! Michael Iaconelli, winner of the 2003
Bassmaster Classic