SlotGaugeCheck a catchBartram's Bass regulations in North Carolina
Black bass · Freshwater · 2026 season
Bartram's Bass size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| All NC public waters | Open year-round | 14 inch minimum | 5 per day, only 2 under 14 inches |
Notes
- Same rule as largemouth/smallmouth: 5 per day, no more than 2 shorter than 14 inches.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 14-inch minimum, except 2 may be less than 14 inches
- Limit
- 5, including only 2 less than 14 inches
- All NC public waters — as printed
- “Bartram’s Bass — All public waters | 14-inch minimum, except 2 may be less than 14 inches | 5, including only 2 less than 14 inches”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the bartram's bass
American naturalist (1739–1823)
William Bartram was an American naturalist, writer and explorer. Bartram was the author of an acclaimed book, now known by the shortened title Bartram's Travels, which chronicled his explorations of the Southern Colonies of North America from 1773 to 1777. Bartram has been described as "the first naturalist who penetrated the dense tropical forests of Florida".
Read more about William Bartram on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.
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Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Bartram's Bass in North Carolina?
14 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Bartram's Bass can you keep per day in North Carolina?
5 per day, only 2 under 14 inches.
When is Bartram's Bass season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Bartram's Bass a keeper today?
A bartram's bass is a keeper today if it measures at least 14 inches, with a daily limit of 5.