SlotGaugeCheck a catchSmallmouth Bass regulations in South Carolina
· Freshwater · 2026 season
Smallmouth Bass size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC freshwater (statewide; listed lakes differ) | Open year-round | 12 inch minimum | 5 black bass combined |
Notes
- A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' zones. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/fishing/freshwater-fish-size-possession-limits
Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- 12 inches min
- Limit
- No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids
- Inland waters — as printed
- “Statewide except the water bodies listed below: Smallmouth Bass | 12 inches min | No more than 5 combined total”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (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 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, not Wikipedia.
All 106 South Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Smallmouth Bass in South Carolina?
12 inch minimum in South Carolina state waters.
How many Smallmouth Bass can you keep per day in South Carolina?
5 black bass combined.
When is Smallmouth Bass season in South Carolina?
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.