Freshwater Fishes of Alabama

Alabama‘s freshwater rivers, reservoirs, streams, springs and lakes support more than 450 fish species in 29 families, which the Encyclopedia of Alabama describes as the most of any state or province in North America [1]. The total includes about 325 native freshwater species, 15 introduced species and 100 or more marine species, in 16 river systems and three major drainage groups. Part of the state’s biodiversity, the fishes reflect the rivers described in Rivers of Alabama.

Why so many fish

A temperate climate and about 60 inches of rain a year support the fish, with about 563,000 acres of major freshwater surface and more than 3.6 million acres of wetlands. The Mobile basin discharges about 0.94 million gallons per day per square mile, more than the Mississippi basin (0.34) or the Columbia (0.7). Gravel and sand provide spawning habitat, and some of the rarest species live in springs fed by cool groundwater. Ice age cycles let Atlantic and Mississippi species colonize the state, and isolated populations later evolved into endemic species [1].

By river system

The Tennessee River holds 178 species, including the Alabama cavefish, which lives only in Key Cave in Lauderdale County. The Mobile basin holds about 242 species across eight river systems, from 123 in the upper Tombigbee to 147 in the Coosa, and the Cahaba River holds 135 species though it drains only 1,818 square miles. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta has more than 130 freshwater and marine species. Seven coastal systems hold 139 species, from 21 in the Blackwater River to 95 in the Conecuh [1]. See Mobile-Tensaw River Delta.

Migratory fish

Gulf sturgeon and Alabama shad once ran up many state rivers, but dams on the lower Alabama and Tombigbee blocked their routes, and spawning has been confirmed only in the Choctawhatchee and Conecuh rivers. Historic Gulf sturgeon catches ran 300 to 400 pounds, the largest fish ever recorded in Alabama. The American eel travels to the Sargasso Sea to spawn, and dams have sharply reduced upstream numbers [1]. See fish migration.

Fishing

The Tennessee River is among the top U.S. destinations for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and sauger, and the tailwater below Wheeler Lock and Dam is known for smallmouth. The Mobile basin has bass tournaments, alligator gar, crappie and striped bass, and Eufaula is a popular bass tournament site. Commercial fishermen harvest blue, channel and flathead catfish [1].

Conservation

A 2012 review identified 33 Priority 1 and 38 Priority 2 species, the largest number of imperiled fish ever identified for Alabama. Threats include dams, dredging, cold-water releases, urban growth, runoff, sedimentation and pollution. The vermilion darter is among species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and hatchery spawning and stocking are part of efforts to save the Alabama sturgeon [1].

FAQs

How many fish species does Alabama have? More than 450 in 29 families.

What is the Alabama cavefish? A fish found only in Key Cave in Lauderdale County.

Why did Gulf sturgeon decline? Dams blocked their spawning runs.

Where is bass fishing popular? The Tennessee River and Eufaula.

Sources

1. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Fishes of Alabama
2. Encyclopedia of Alabama: River Systems and Watersheds of Alabama

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue