Alabama's Sturgeon Population and Where They Live
Alabama has two sturgeon species: the Alabama sturgeon and the shortnose sturgeon. Both are rare, protected fish found only in specific river systems. The Alabama sturgeon lives in the Mobile River drainage, primarily in the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers. The shortnose sturgeon inhabits the same general area but prefers deeper, slower sections of river channel.
These are bottom-feeding fish that spend most of their time in deeper pools and channel bends where current slows. They are not schooling fish — you will not find them in groups. Instead, individual sturgeon hold territory in specific deep holes that provide shelter and access to food. The Alabama River between Montgomery and the Mobile Delta holds the most consistent population, though numbers remain low throughout their range.
Sturgeon are long-lived fish that grow slowly and do not reproduce until they are 7 to 10 years old. This means the population cannot recover quickly from overfishing or habitat damage. Both species are listed as threatened or endangered under federal law, which shapes every regulation that applies to them.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon are both protected species found only in the Mobile River drainage, primarily the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers.
- Sturgeon fishing is closed year-round in Alabama — you cannot legally keep or intentionally target either species.
- If you hook a sturgeon by accident, you must release it immediately without removing it from the water, and report the catch to Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
- Sturgeon live in deep river holes and channel bends, not in shallow water or near banks where most recreational fishing occurs.
- The Alabama River between Montgomery and the Mobile Delta offers the best chance of encountering sturgeon, though sightings remain uncommon.
Fishing Regulations and Legal Status
Sturgeon fishing is closed year-round in Alabama. You cannot keep, possess, or intentionally target either the Alabama sturgeon or shortnose sturgeon under any circumstances. This applies to all waters where they occur, including the Tombigbee River, Alabama River, and Mobile River system.
If you accidentally hook a sturgeon while fishing for other species, you must release it immediately. Do not remove the fish from the water. Handle it as little as possible and cut the line if necessary to avoid injury. After release, contact the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to report the catch. You can reach them through their website or by calling their regional office. Reporting helps biologists track population numbers and movement patterns.
The federal government also protects both species under the Endangered Species Act, which means violations can result in federal penalties in addition to state fines. State penalties for keeping a sturgeon can exceed $500, and federal penalties are substantially higher.
Why Sturgeon Are Protected and What That Means for Fishing
Both Alabama sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon were listed as threatened or endangered because their populations declined sharply during the 20th century. Historical overfishing, dam construction that blocked migration routes, and habitat loss in river channels all contributed to the decline. Today, the populations remain small and fragmented.
Protection means that even accidental catch must be reported and the fish released unharmed. This is not a regulation designed to inconvenience anglers — it reflects the biological reality that every individual sturgeon matters to population recovery. A single fish that dies from improper handling or stress can represent a meaningful loss to a population of a few hundred or a few thousand.
The closure also means you should not plan a sturgeon fishing trip to Alabama. If sturgeon are your target, you will be breaking the law. However, if you fish the Alabama or Tombigbee rivers for catfish, bass, or other species, understanding sturgeon identification and release procedures is important in case you hook one.
How to Identify Alabama Sturgeon and Shortnose Sturgeon
Both sturgeon species have distinctive body shapes that make them recognizable once you know what to look for. Sturgeon have long, flattened snouts, a row of bony plates running along each side of the body, and a bottom-facing mouth designed for feeding on the river floor. They are not shaped like typical fish — they look prehistoric because they are an ancient lineage that has changed little in millions of years.
Alabama sturgeon grow larger than shortnose sturgeon. Adult Alabama sturgeon typically reach 3 to 4 feet long, though historical records describe fish up to 6 feet. Shortnose sturgeon usually stay under 2 feet. Both species are dark gray or brown on the back and lighter on the belly. The most reliable way to tell them apart is snout length — Alabama sturgeon have longer, more pointed snouts, while shortnose sturgeon have shorter, more rounded snouts.
If you are uncertain whether a fish is a sturgeon, the bony plates running along the sides are the key identifier. No other fish in Alabama rivers have this feature. If you see these plates, you have a sturgeon, and you must release it immediately.
Where Sturgeon Live in Alabama Rivers
Sturgeon occupy deep, slow-moving sections of river channel where the current slows and the bottom provides shelter. They prefer holes 15 to 30 feet deep, often near the outside bend of a river curve where the channel is deepest. They also hold in areas where large rocks or fallen trees create shelter on the river floor.
The Alabama River between Montgomery and the confluence with the Tombigbee River contains the most consistent sturgeon habitat and the largest population. The Tombigbee River from the confluence southward also holds sturgeon, though in smaller numbers. The Mobile River itself has sturgeon, but they are less common there than in the upper river systems.
Sturgeon do not move into shallow water, backwater areas, or near the bank except during spawning season in spring. If you are fishing in water less than 10 feet deep or in areas with heavy vegetation, you are unlikely to encounter sturgeon. This is actually good news for most anglers — it means sturgeon and the fish you are targeting occupy different habitat, so accidental catch is uncommon.
Sturgeon Spawning and Seasonal Movement
Sturgeon spawn in spring, typically from March through May, when water temperature rises above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. During spawning season, sturgeon move from their deep-channel holding areas into shallower, faster-moving sections of river where gravel and rock provide spawning habitat. This is the only time sturgeon regularly enter water shallow enough for most recreational anglers to encounter them.
Spawning sturgeon are particularly vulnerable to disturbance and injury. If you fish during spring in areas with gravel bars or rocky shallows, pay attention to any unusual fish activity. Sturgeon thrashing or rolling at the surface during spawning can be mistaken for other fish, but their distinctive body shape and size make them recognizable.
After spawning, sturgeon return to deep channel holes where they spend the rest of the year. Summer and fall sturgeon are deep and difficult to encounter. Winter sturgeon remain in deep holes and are essentially unavailable to anglers fishing from the bank or in shallow water.
Habitat Threats and Conservation Efforts
Dams block sturgeon migration and fragment populations into isolated groups that cannot interbreed. The Millers Ferry Dam on the Alabama River and the Demopolis Dam on the Tombigbee River are the primary barriers. These dams prevent sturgeon from accessing historical spawning habitat upstream and limit genetic exchange between populations.
Water quality degradation, including low dissolved oxygen in some river sections, also stresses sturgeon populations. Siltation and changes to river flow patterns from dam operation have altered spawning habitat. Pollution and industrial discharge in some areas further reduce suitable habitat.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources works with federal agencies and universities to monitor sturgeon populations and study their biology. Some research involves capturing and tagging sturgeon to track movement and survival. This work is ongoing and helps guide management decisions, but recovery remains slow because sturgeon reproduce so slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I catch a sturgeon while fishing?
Release it immediately without removing it from the water. Cut the line if necessary. Do not handle the fish or take photographs. After release, contact the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to report the catch. Reporting helps biologists understand where sturgeon are living and how populations are changing.
Can I keep a sturgeon if I catch one by accident?
No. Sturgeon fishing is closed year-round, and you must release any sturgeon you hook. Keeping a sturgeon is illegal under both state and federal law and can result in fines exceeding $500 at the state level, plus federal penalties.
Where is the best place to fish for sturgeon in Alabama?
You cannot fish for sturgeon in Alabama — the species is protected and fishing is closed. If you want to see sturgeon, contact the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources about educational programs or guided research trips. Some universities conduct sturgeon research and occasionally offer public outreach events.
How big do Alabama sturgeon get?
Adult Alabama sturgeon typically reach 3 to 4 feet long. Historical records describe larger fish, up to 6 feet, but modern populations rarely produce fish that large. Shortnose sturgeon are smaller, usually under 2 feet.
What time of year are sturgeon most active?
Sturgeon are most visible during spring spawning season, March through May, when they move into shallower water. Outside spawning season, they remain in deep river holes and are rarely encountered. Even during spawning season, sturgeon are uncommon in areas where most recreational fishing occurs.