SlotGaugeCheck a catchSmallmouth Bass regulations in Virginia
· Freshwater · 2026 season
Smallmouth Bass size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia inland waters (statewide; special waters differ) | Open year-round | No statewide length limits | 5 largemouth + smallmouth 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://dwr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/media/creel-and-length-limits.pdf
Exact Virginia Marine Resources Commission wording
- Season
- Open year-round
- Size
- No statewide length limits
- Limit
- 5 per day in the aggregate (combined)
- Inland waters — as printed
- “Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Creel 5 per day in the aggregate (combined)”
Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission, captured 2026-09-21 (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 Virginia Marine Resources Commission, not Wikipedia.
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Smallmouth Bass in Virginia?
No statewide length limits in Virginia state waters.
How many Smallmouth Bass can you keep per day in Virginia?
5 largemouth + smallmouth combined.
When is Smallmouth Bass season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
Is my Smallmouth Bass a keeper today?
Smallmouth Bass has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 5.