SlotGaugeCheck a catchSmallmouth Bass regulations in Connecticut
· Freshwater · 2026 season
Smallmouth Bass size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut inland waters (statewide; managed lakes differ) | Open year-round | 12 inch minimum | 6 largemouth + smallmouth combined |
Exact CT DEEP wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 12 inches (lakes, ponds, Connecticut River)
- Limit
- 6 fish in aggregate
- Inland waters — as printed
- “Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass … 12 inches; 6 fish in aggregate”
Source: CT DEEP, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).
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About the smallmouth bass
Species of freshwater fish
The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of the order Centrarchiformes. It is the type species of its genus Micropterus, and is a popular game fish sought by anglers throughout the temperate zones of North America, and has been spread by stocking —as well as illegal introductions—to many cool-water tributaries and lakes in Canada and more so introduced in the United States. The maximum recorded size is approximately 27 inches (69 cm) and 12 pounds (5.4 kg).
Read more about Smallmouth bass on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from CT DEEP, not Wikipedia.
All 34 Connecticut species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Smallmouth Bass in Connecticut?
12 inch minimum in Connecticut state waters.
How many Smallmouth Bass can you keep per day in Connecticut?
6 largemouth + smallmouth combined.
When is Smallmouth Bass season in Connecticut?
Open year-round.
Is my Smallmouth Bass a keeper today?
A smallmouth bass is a keeper today if it measures at least 12 inches, with a daily limit of 6.