2026 regulation year
Michigan Smallmouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Micropterus dolomieu
Last updated
Michigan's smallmouth fishery is split between a spring catch-and-release window and the post-Memorial-Day harvest season. The Les Cheneaux Islands, St. Marys River, and Lake St. Clair carry world-class smallmouth populations.
Season
Catch-and-release: last Sat April – Sat before Memorial Day. Harvest: Sat before Memorial Day onward.
– Catch-and-release window
– Harvest window
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 5 / day (combined with largemouth)
- Possession
- Same as daily bag
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 14 in minimum
Gear restrictions
- Catch-and-release window: hook-and-line only, immediate release
- Tournament release rules apply on listed waters
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Michigan waters:
Lake St. Clair
Statewide 14 in / 5 fish; trophy smallmouth water
St. Marys River
Statewide rule; Soo-area trophy fishery
Les Cheneaux Islands
Statewide rule; protected bays produce trophy smallmouth
Grand Traverse Bay (Lake Michigan)
Statewide rule; deep-water smallmouth fishery
Official source
Michigan Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 Michiganfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.