2026 regulation year
Florida Largemouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Micropterus salmoides
Last updated
Florida-strain largemouth bass are the trophy variant of the species. Statewide rules emphasise trophy protection over harvest — five fish daily but only one can exceed 16 in. TrophyCatch is the official 8-lb+ logging programme.
Season
Open year-round Open year-round statewide.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 5 / day; only 1 may be over 16 in
- Possession
- 10 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- No statewide minimum; 16 in trophy cap
- Trophy rule
- TrophyCatch (8 lb+) logged via FWC mobile app — Hall-of-Fame badges at 13 lb+
Gear restrictions
- Pole-and-line on public waters
- Tournament release rules apply on listed lakes
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Florida waters:
Lake Okeechobee
Statewide 5 / 1-over-16 in rule; tournament + cormorant rules apply
Lake Toho (Kissimmee chain)
Statewide rule; spring spawning hot-spot
Rodman Reservoir
Trophy reservoir; standard 5 / 1-over-16 in applies
Stick Marsh (Farm 13)
Trophy reservoir; statewide rule plus tournament restrictions
Official source
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission publishes the authoritative 2026 Floridafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.