Smallmouth Bass regulations in North Carolina

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A smallmouth bass is a keeper today if it measures at least 14 inches, with a daily limit of 5.

Smallmouth Bass size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
NC inland waters (statewide; listed waters differ)	Open year-round	14 inch minimum	5, only 2 under 14 in

Notes

A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' notes/zones. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.eregulations.com/northcarolina/fishing/warm-water-game-fish-regulations

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
Inland waters — as printed: “Smallmouth Bass — All public waters except those listed below: 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 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 NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Smallmouth Bass in North Carolina?

14 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.

How many Smallmouth Bass can you keep per day in North Carolina?

5, only 2 under 14 in.

When is Smallmouth Bass season in North Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my Smallmouth Bass a keeper today?

A smallmouth bass is a keeper today if it measures at least 14 inches, with a daily limit of 5.