SlotGaugeCheck a catchBlack Bass regulations in New York
· Freshwater · 2026 season
Black Bass size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York inland waters (statewide; regional special regs differ) | June 15 – November 30 | 12 inch minimum | 5 per person per day |
Notes
- Dec 1 – June 14: catch and release only, artificial lures only.
Exact NYSDEC wording
- Season
- June 15 - Nov 30 (Dec 1 - June 14 catch and release only, artificial lures only)
- Size
- 12"
- Limit
- 5
- Inland waters — as printed
- “Black Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth) | June 15 - Nov 30 | 12" | 5; Dec 1 - June 14 Catch and Release only. Artificial lures only”
Source: NYSDEC, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).
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About the black bass
Genus of fishes
Micropterus is a genus of North American freshwater fish collectively known as the black bass, which belong to the sunfish family Centrarchidae of order Centrarchiformes. They are sometimes erroneously called "black trout", but the name trout more correctly refers to certain potamodromous members of the family Salmonidae.
Read more about Micropterus on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NYSDEC, not Wikipedia.
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Black Bass in New York?
12 inch minimum in New York state waters.
How many Black Bass can you keep per day in New York?
5 per person per day.
When is Black Bass season in New York?
June 15 – November 30.
Is my Black Bass a keeper today?
A black bass is a keeper today if it measures at least 12 inches, with a daily limit of 5.