California regulations
Smallmouth Bass Regulations in California 2026
California smallmouth bass regulations in 2026: 12″ min size, 5 fish/day bag limit. Zone-specific exceptions may apply — see the rule table below. Sourced from CDFW.
Rules (5)
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Other California fish regulations
Other regulated species in California with current rule pages — same CDFW source, same verification cadence.
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)850 rules
- Salmon (Chinook, Coho, Pink)204 rules
- Steelhead148 rules
- Dungeness Crab55 rules
- Stripers (Striped Bass)35 rules
- White Seabass33 rules
- California Halibut24 rules
- White Sturgeon18 rules
- Spiny Lobster16 rules
- Rockfish15 rules
- Lingcod11 rules
- Yellowtail7 rules
- Largemouth Bass2 rules
Also known as
Smallmouth Bass is also called smallies. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in California.
Frequently asked questions
When is Smallmouth Bass season in California?
Smallmouth Bass season in California is set by CDFW. Some zones may have specific open windows; see the rule table above.
What is the size limit for Smallmouth Bass in California?
Minimum size for Smallmouth Bass in California is 12 inches, per CDFW. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Smallmouth Bass in California?
Daily bag limit for Smallmouth Bass in California is 5 fish/day, per CDFW.
Official sources cited
- https://wildlife.ca.gov
- https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=209090&inline
- https://www.eregulations.com/california/fishing/special-black-bass-regulations