Freshwater · North Coast
Bass - Smallmouth
These notes are district-general defaults. Search your lake or stream first — special waters override these rules. Full booklet: 2026 Freshwater Guide. Catch reports: Fish data.
Species group
BASS
Season
Open all year unless a Special Regulation for your water says otherwise. IMPORTANT: If your lake, river, or stream is named in the Alphabetical List of Waters with Special Fishing Regulations (2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide), those special rules override this district default.
Season notes
Verify named lakes/rivers in the 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide.
Daily bag limit
Statewide black bass baseline is commonly 5 bass / day with a 12-inch minimum unless a Special Regulation for your water says otherwise. IMPORTANT: If your lake, river, or stream is named in the Alphabetical List of Waters with Special Fishing Regulations (2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide), those special rules override this district default.
Minimum size
12-inch minimum is the common statewide black-bass baseline unless your water’s Special Regulation differs.
Gear restrictions
Follow statewide methods/gear rules and any special-water restrictions in the freshwater guide.
Identification
The smallmouth bass is generally brown, appearing sometimes as black or green with red eyes, and dark brown vertical bands, rather than a horizontal band along the side. There are 13 to 15 soft rays in the dorsal fin. The upper jaw of smallmouth bass extends to the middle of the eye. The smallmouth's coloration and hue may vary according to environmental variables such as water clarity or diet.