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Bield:Fish
Fish stocking schedule

Alabama fish stocking schedule 2026.

Stocking NowAlabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Alabama's stocking program centers on warmwater species — channel catfish in urban ponds, striped bass in reservoirs, and the unusual Sipsey Fork tailwater trout fishery below Lewis Smith Dam.

Official source

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Stocking Report

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources publishes the authoritative Alabama stocking schedule — Per-season updates in Posted list format. For this week's actual stocking locations, dates, and volumes, view the official report directly.

View official Alabama stocking report

This page summarizes the Alabama stocking program for planning purposes. The agency report is the authoritative source — verify before any trip.

Primary stocked species in Alabama

Typical stocking pattern by species. Heavy fill marks primary stocking months; moderate fill marks possible stocking. Verify exact dates against the official report.

  • Channel CatfishIctalurus punctatus
    JanJan — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingFebFeb — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingMarMar — heavy stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingAprApr — heavy stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingMayMay — heavy stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingJunJun — moderate stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingJulJul — moderate stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingAugAug — moderate stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingSepSep — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingOctOct — heavy stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingNovNov — heavy stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingDecDec — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerling
    Typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerling
  • Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykiss
    JanJan — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesFebFeb — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesMarMar — heavy stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesAprApr — heavy stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesMayMay — heavy stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesJunJun — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesJulJul — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesAugAug — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesSepSep — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesOctOct — heavy stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesNovNov — heavy stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesDecDec — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inches
    Typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inches
  • Striped Bass (Landlocked)Morone saxatilis
    JanJan — no stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerlingFebFeb — no stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerlingMarMar — heavy stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerlingAprApr — heavy stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerlingMayMay — heavy stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerlingJunJun — moderate stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerlingJulJul — no stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerlingAugAug — no stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerlingSepSep — no stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerlingOctOct — heavy stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerlingNovNov — heavy stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerlingDecDec — no stocking Striped Bass (Landlocked) typical size: 1–2 inch fingerling
    Typical size: 1–2 inch fingerling
  • Bluegill & Redear SunfishLepomis macrochirus / L. microlophus
    JanJan — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingFebFeb — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingMarMar — heavy stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingAprApr — heavy stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingMayMay — heavy stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingJunJun — moderate stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingJulJul — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingAugAug — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingSepSep — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingOctOct — heavy stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingNovNov — heavy stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingDecDec — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerling
    Typical size: 2–4 inch fingerling

Top stocked waterbodies in Alabama

Notable Alabama programs

  • Sipsey Fork Tailwater Trout
  • Community Fishing Program
  • Urban Pond Catfish

State hatchery system

Alabama operates 5 state-run fish hatcheries supporting the stocking program.

Alabama urban fishing program

Alabama maintains a designated urban fishing program — typically frequent stockings of catfish, trout, and panfish in city ponds and lakes. These programs are designed to make fishing accessible to families and first-time anglers.

Alabama urban fishing program details →

Weekly stocking alerts for Alabama.

Bield: Fish reads Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources's stocking reports and alerts you when your saved waters are stocked. Set your county once and you'll know the day fish hit your home river.

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