Rules & Regulations

Cast net regulations by state

Cast nets are legal almost everywhere in the US in some form — but nearly every state limits size, mesh, species, water type, or all four. Here's what to check before you throw, state by state.

Informational only — this is not legal advice

Fishing regulations change, sometimes with little notice, and can vary further by county, water body, or season within a state. This page is a starting point for research, not a substitute for the law. Always verify current rules directly with your state's fish & wildlife agency or TakeMeFishing.org before you fish. BasicGear is not responsible for citations, fines, or gear seizures resulting from reliance on this page.

Last verified: 2026-07-08 — regulations are re-checked periodically; see the date above before assuming this is current.

Why cast nets are regulated

A cast net doesn't target one fish at a time — it can bring up an entire school in a single throw. That efficiency is exactly why states regulate them: an unrestricted net can just as easily scoop up juvenile gamefish, protected species, or more bait than one angler could ever use. Size caps, mesh limits, and species restrictions exist to let small fish escape, keep gamefish out of a net meant for bait, and prevent one throw from wiping out a local bait population.

Most state rules fall into a handful of restriction types. Here's what each one means in plain language:

Radius vs. diameter caps

States cap net size either as a radius (center horn to lead line) or a diameter(the full open circle — roughly double the radius), and they don't use these terms consistently. A "10 ft" cap can mean a 10 ft radius net or a net that only opens to a 10 ft circle (5 ft radius) — a huge practical difference. See our size guide for the full radius-vs-diameter breakdown. Every state below states clearly which measurement its own rule uses.

Mesh-size minimums & maximums

Most states cap mesh at a maximum size — mesh above that size can gill and kill fish too small to keep. A handful (Hawaii is the clearest example) do the opposite and set a minimummesh size, so small fish can swim through rather than get trapped. Always check which direction a state's rule runs before assuming a smaller mesh is always safer.

Species & bait-only restrictions

In nearly every state, cast nets are legal for bait or nongame species only — any gamefish caught incidentally must be released immediately, often unharmed and without delay. A cast net is treated as a bait-collection tool almost everywhere, not a general sport-fishing method.

Saltwater vs. freshwater & licensing

Some states allow cast nets in saltwater only, some freshwater only, and some both — under entirely separate rule sets. Nearly all require a fishing license; several go further and require a dedicated cast-net or seining permit on top of that. Check the license column for your state before you buy a net.

Get the latest official rules

Regulations below are current as of our last verification date, but they change. For the latest official state-by-state fishing regulations, check TakeMeFishing.org or go straight to your state's wildlife agency (linked in every row below).

TakeMeFishing.org↗

All 50 states

50 of 50 states · 7 effectively illegal or permit-only

ALAlabamaLegal with restrictionsLegal with restrictions+

Legal with restrictions

Hand-thrown cast nets are legal for licensed anglers. Mullet has a recreational season (Oct 24–Dec 31) and is closed in a few named waterways, so check the current rule before you throw.

Max size: 15 ft radius cap (stated in the rule as 30 ft diameter)
Mesh: No mesh size specified
Water type: Saltwater, plus tidal-influenced freshwater above the tidal line
License: Yes — saltwater or freshwater fishing license as applicable

Recommended BasicGear net

Cast Net — Basic Series — Every BasicGear cast net tops out at a 12 ft radius — comfortably under Alabama's 15 ft cap.

Source: Outdoor Alabama (ADCNR) — Cast Net Regulations

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