California regulations
Smallmouth Bass Regulations in California 2026
California Smallmouth Bass regulations as of 2026-05-08: Status Catch And Release; Status Closed; Status Catch And Release. Sourced from CDFW.
Rules (5)
California statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
Cuyamaca LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Catch and Release only
Cuyamaca Lake (San Diego Co.).Closed
- Status
- Closed
Reshaped from bag_limit=0 (closure marker)
Ke (San Diego Co.)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Catch and Release only for Smallmouth Bass
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
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with CDFW before keeping a catch. Last verified .