1. (1) For the purposes of the freshwater fishing licensing requirements of Sections 9-11-53, 53.4, 55, and 56, Code of Ala. 1975, said licenses shall be applicable to such activities as provided for therein which occur north of the below-described line, as well as below said line in those ponds or lakes containing freshwater fish. For the purposes of the saltwater fishing licensing requirements of Sections 9-11-53.1, 53.5, and 55.2, Code of Ala. 1975, said licenses shall be applicable to such activities as provided for therein which occur south of the below-described line. The line is described as follows:

   1. (b) All commercial fishing operations, as well as recreational netting operations, and all gear used in any of such operations, in state jurisdictional waters south of Interstate 10 eastbound lane (except that portion of Interstate Highway 10 which lies north of State Highway 90 Battleship Parkway, in which case the line follows the Battleship Parkway) shall be subject to those laws, rules, and regulations of the Marine Resources Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

   Beginning at the Mississippi State line, a meandering line following U.S. Highway 90 eastwardly to its junction with State Highway 188; State Highway 188 eastwardly to its junction with State Highway 193; State Highway 193 northwardly to its junction with State Highway 163; State Highway 163 northwardly to its intersection with Interstate

   Highway 10 (except all of the Theodore Industrial Canal); Interstate Highway 10 eastbound lane (except that portion of Interstate Highway 10 which lies north of State Highway 90 Battleship Parkway, in which case the line follows the Battleship Parkway) to Interstate Highway 10's intersection with U.S. Highway 98; U.S. Highway 98 southwardly and eastwardly to its intersection with State Highway 59; State Highway 59 southwardly to its intersection with Baldwin County Highway 20; Baldwin County Highway 20 eastwardly to its intersection with Baldwin County Highway 95; Baldwin County Highway 95 northwardly to its intersection with U.S. Highway 98; U.S. Highway 98 eastwardly to its intersection with the western shore of Perdido Bay; then the western shore of Perdido Bay northwardly to the intersection of the Florida State Line and the mouth of the Perdido River.

   (2)(a) All commercial fishing operations, as well as recreational netting operations, and all gear used in any of such operations, in state jurisdictional waters north of Interstate 10 eastbound lane (except that portion of Interstate Highway 10 which lies north of State Highway 90 Battleship Parkway, in which case the line follows the Battleship Parkway) shall be subject to those laws, rules and regulations of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to use any net (other than hoop and fyke nets) with mesh size of less than three inches (3”) knot to knot with a stretch or spread of less than six inches (6”) in the public impounded waters and navigable streams in the state of Alabama north of the line described in this paragraph except as provided for in other regulations or laws of this state.

2. (3) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, from September 1 to December 31, it shall be unlawful to possess a gill net, trammel net, or other entangling net aboard a boat in the Mobile Delta south of the railroad bridge that crosses the Tensaw River at approximate latitude 30.84302 (currently known as the CSX railroad bridge) and north of a line running two hundred fifty (250) yards north of and parallel to Highway 90 (Battleship Parkway).

3. (4) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, it shall be lawful for any person (provided such person complies with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations) to take, catch, or possess commercial or non-game fish as defined in the laws of Alabama or regulations of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in accordance with the below stated times, places, manners, and means:

   1. (a) From January 1 to September 1 in only the following areas: Grass Bay, Chuckfey Bay, Choccolata Bay, Gustang Bay, Big Bay John, Bay Minette Basin and Bay; (West of HWY 225 Bridge), Little Bay John, Big Bay Bateau, Little Bay Bateau, and John's Bend, Monday through Friday, except official State of Alabama holidays, between the hours of sunrise and sunset, by the use of nets with a mesh size of not less than three inches (3") knot to knot with a stretch or spread of not less than six inches (6"). These nets shall be constantly attended.
   2. (b) From January 1 to May 31 in only the following areas: Grand Bay, Polecat Bay, and Bay Delvan, Monday through Friday, except official State of Alabama holidays, between the hours of sunrise and sunset, by the use of nets with a mesh size of not less than the general minimum mesh size for fish other than menhaden for “inside waters” under the jurisdiction of the Marine Resources Division as provided in 220-3-.03; provided that any person in these areas possessing, using, or attempting to use, a gill net with a mesh size less than three inches (3”) knot to knot is required to be licensed and permitted under 9-11-141, 9-11-142, and 9-12-113, and shall have such licenses and permit in possession. These nets shall be constantly attended.
4. (5) Rule 220-2-.42, as previously promulgated, is hereby expressly repealed in its entirety.
5. (6) Violations of the provisions of paragraphs 2(a), (3) and (4) shall be punished as provided by Section 9-11-156, Code of Ala. 1975, or as otherwise provided by law.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-4, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-11-140.

Penalty: As provided by Code of Ala. 1975, §9-11-156.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Emergency amendment effective September 11, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: November 27, 1991. Amended: September 16, 1992. Amended: Filed January 12, 1995; effective February 16, 1995. Amended: Filed July 31, 1998; effective August 26, 1998. Amended: Filed February 9, 2000; effective March 15, 2000. Amended: Filed June 10, 2004; effective July 15, 2004. Amended: Filed May 22, 2007; effective June 26, 2007. Amended: Published August 30, 2024; effective October 14, 2024.