Smallmouth Bass regulations in Maryland

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A smallmouth bass is a keeper today if it measures at least 12 inches, with a daily limit of 5.

Smallmouth Bass size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Chesapeake Bay & tidal tributaries	Open year-round	15 inch minimum (March 1 – June 15); 12 inch minimum (June 16 – February 29)	5 largemouth + smallmouth combined

Exact Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 15 inches March 1–June 15; 12 inches June 16 through last day in February
Limit: Daily—5 in aggregate (largemouth and smallmouth)
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries — as printed: “Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth) | 15 inches March 1–June 15; 12 inches June 16 through last day in February | Open Year Round | Daily—5 in aggregate”

Source: Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, 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).

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Smallmouth Bass in Maryland?

15 inch minimum (March 1 – June 15); 12 inch minimum (June 16 – February 29) in Maryland state waters.

How many Smallmouth Bass can you keep per day in Maryland?

5 largemouth + smallmouth combined.

When is Smallmouth Bass season in Maryland?

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 5.