Lake Erie · Pennsylvania · Michigan · New York · Ohio · Smallmouth Bass
Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass Fishing Regulations 2026
Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass regulations as of 2026-05-08: Daily bag 4 combined species; Season end Jun 13; Season start Apr 12. Sourced across 4 state agencies.
Rules (283)
Pennsylvania (259)
Beaverdam Run ReservoirCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Blue Marsh LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Bradys Run LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Bridgeport ReservoirCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Canoe Creek Lake (State Park) To Include Two Small Ponds And Raceway Adjacent To Canoe LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Carsonia LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Chambers LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Colyer LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Commonwealth Inland Waters
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
Jan 1 – Apr 11 / Oct 1 – Dec 31
Commonwealth Inland Waters -
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Oct 1-Dec 31, Combined Species Oct 1-Dec 31
Conowingo Reservoir
- Min size
- 12"
Conowingo Reservoir Up To Holtwood DamOut of season
- Season opens
- Jun 16
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
combined species
Conowingo Reservoir, Combined Species
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Cross Creek LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Delaware RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
NO HARVEST - immediate release only combined species
Delaware River -
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Jun 13-Dec 31, Combined Species
Delaware River And EstuaryCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
NO HARVEST combined species
Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River And Delaware River Tributaries, From The Mouths Of The Tributaries Upstream To The Limit Of The Tidal Influence And The Lehigh River From Its Mouth Upstream To The First Dam In Easton, PennsylvaniaCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
NO HARVEST - immediate release only combined species
Donegal Lake - Big Bass Program
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
Jan 1-Apr 10 And Jun 13-Dec 31
Duman LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Frances Slocum Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Glade Run LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Gouldsboro LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Harris PondCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Hinckston Run ReservoirCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Hopewell LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Hunters Lake — Commonwealth Inland Waters
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day combined
Jun 13–Sept 30
Indian Creek Reservoir (Mill Run Reservoir)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Indian LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Juniata RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
From April 12 to June 13: No tournaments permitted.
Juniata River (31.7 Miles) From Sr0075 Bridge At Port Royal Downstream To The Mouth Including All Tributaries To A Point ½ Mile Upstream From The Confluence.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
January 1 to December 31: NO HARVEST CATCH AND IMMEDIATE RELEASE ONLY. It is unlawful for an angler to cast repeatedly into a clearly visible bass spawning nest or redd in an effort to catch or take bass as with Commonwealth Inland Waters fishing regulations. From January 1 to April 11 and June 14 to December 31: Catch-measure-immediate release tournaments permitted. From April 12 to June 13: No tournaments permitted.
Kaercher Creek DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Keystone LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Keystone Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lackawanna Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake Arthur (Moraine State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake ChillisquaqueCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake ErieIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
Applies to Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and peninsular waters, all Lake Erie tributaries in their entirety, which include Cascade Creek, Conneaut Creek, Crooked Creek, East Branch Conneaut Creek, Eightmile Creek, Elk Creek, Fourmile Creek, Middle Branch Conneaut Creek, Marsh Run, Mill Creek, Mud Run, Raccoon Creek, Sevenmile Creek, Sixmile Creek, Sixteenmile Creek, Stone Run, Temple Run, Turkey Creek, Twelvemile Creek, Twentymile Creek, Walnut Creek, West Branch Conneaut Creek and all waters that flow into these tributaries.
Lake Erie -
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
Jun 13-Dec 31, Combined Species
Lake Marburg (Codorus State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake NessmukCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake RedmanCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake TowheeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake WilliamsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lakes (Big Bass Program)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. combined species
Lakes, Rivers And StreamsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Jun 14
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted); begins at 12:01 a.m. combined species
Leaser LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lily LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Little Bufalo Lake(Holman Lake)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Mammoth DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Marsh Creek Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Marshall LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Mauch Chunk LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Nockamixon Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
North Park LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Northmoreland LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Opossum LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Peters Twp. Lake(Res. #2)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Pinchot Lake(State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Pymatuning ReservoirOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5
- Min size
- 12"
Quemahoning ReservoirCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Rose Valley LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Shawnee Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Shenango River LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Speedwell Forge LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Stevens LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Stevens Lake (Big Bass Program)
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
Sugar LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Susquehanna RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
From April 12 to June 13: No tournaments permitted.
Susquehanna River (98.0 Miles) From The Inflatable Dam Near Sunbury Downstream To Holtwood Dam Including All Tributaries To A Point ½ Mile Upstream From The Confluence.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
January 1 to December 31: NO HARVEST CATCH AND IMMEDIATE RELEASE ONLY. It is unlawful for an angler to cast repeatedly into a clearly visible bass spawning nest or redd in an effort to catch or take bass as with Commonwealth Inland Waters fishing regulations. From January 1 to April 11 and June 14 to December 31: Catch-measure-immediate release tournaments permitted. From April 12 to June 13: No tournaments permitted.
Tamarack LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Tamarack Lake – Big Bass Program
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
Twin Lake Number Two Reservoir(Upper)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Twin Lakes Number One Reservoir (Lower)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Two Mile Run Reservoir (Justus Lake)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Upper, Middle And Lower Deer LakesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Virgin Run Lake – Commonwealth Inland Waters
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
(combined species); June 13–Sept 30
Wilmore DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Yellow Creek Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Michigan (8)
L. Michigan
- Season opens
- Jul 1
within one-half mile of the following islands of the Beaver Island Archipelago: Beaver, Garden, High and Hog
Lake Of The CloudsClosed
- Status
- Closed
no possession of Smallmouth Bass
Michigan statewideCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 27
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Min size
- 14"
CIR fishing for bass is allowed all year on all waters, unless otherwise closed to fishing. All bass caught must be immediately returned to the water. Southern Zone combined with Largemouth Bass
New York (2)
New York statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
Ohio (14)
Lake Erie
- Min size
- 19"
Lake Erie And Areas Immediately Upstream In Creeks, Rivers, And Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
singly or in combination, June 28, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026 June 28, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End Points
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 14"
singly or in combination; June 28, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026 June 28, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End Points: Arcola, Wheeler, Cowles, And Indian Creeks : U.s. Route 20 Bridges; Ashtabula River: E. 24th Street Bridge; Black River: State Route 611 Bridge; Conneaut Creek: Main Street Bridge (Downtown To Conneaut); Euclid Creek And Chagrin River: State Route 283 Bridges; Rocky River: Detroit Road Bridge; Sandusky River: Waterworks Dam In Tiffin; Maumee River: First Dam Upstream (Grand Rapids, Ohio); Vermilion River: State Route 2 Bridge; Grand River: State Route 535 Bridge; Cuyahoga River: Harvard Road Bridge.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jun 28
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Min size
- 14"
June 28, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026
Ohio Waters, Ohio Shoreline, And All Ohio Embayments And Tributaries Within The Western Unit
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
singly or in combination
Ohio Waters, Ohio Shoreline, And Ohio Embayments And Tributaries Within The Western Unit
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
singly or in combination
Ohio Waters, Shoreline Anglers When Fishing On The Ohio Shoreline, And All Anglers In Ohio Embayments And Tributaries Within The Western Unit
- Daily bag
- 6 fish
singly or in combination with Largemouth, & Spotted Bass
Rivers, Lakes, Ponds
- Min size
- 18"
Ohio statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Min size
- 12"
singly or in combination with Largemouth, & Spotted Bass
Frequently asked questions
When is Smallmouth Bass season on Lake Erie?
Smallmouth Bass season on Lake Erie runs from Apr 12 to Jun 13 (varies by state) per Fish & Boat Commission / DNR / DEC / DNR.
What is the size limit for Smallmouth Bass on Lake Erie?
Minimum size for Smallmouth Bass on Lake Erie is 15 inches in Beaverdam Run Reservoir. Slot or maximum sizes may apply elsewhere on the water; see the table above.
What is the daily bag limit for Smallmouth Bass on Lake Erie?
Daily bag limit for Smallmouth Bass on Lake Erie is 4 combined species in Beaverdam Run Reservoir.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch. Last verified .