2026 regulation year
Ohio Smallmouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
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Last updated
Lake Erie produces some of the largest smallmouth bass in North America — 5+ pound fish from the islands area (Bass Islands, Kelleys Island, Pelee passages) are the year's headline catches. Inland smallmouth live in the Ohio River, the Mahoning River, the Mad River, and northeast Ohio reservoirs. Lake Erie has a 14-inch minimum; most inland waters use the statewide 12-inch minimum, all under a combined 5-fish black-bass bag.
Season
Open year-round Open year-round. Lake Erie + Maumee River voluntary catch-and-release May 1 – June 24 during the spawn.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 5 / day combined with largemouth (black bass)
- Possession
- 5 in possession (combined)
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 14 in minimum Lake Erie; 12 in minimum most inland waters
Gear restrictions
- Lake Erie + Maumee River: voluntary C&R May 1 – June 24 (spawn protection)
- Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited
- Tournament boats must follow Division of Wildlife livewell rules
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Ohio waters:
Lake Erie (Ohio waters)
14 in minimum, 5 / day combined black bass; voluntary spawn C&R
Bass Islands (Kelleys, Put-in-Bay)
14 in minimum; trophy smallmouth zone
Ohio River
12 in minimum, 5 / day; boundary water with KY/WV
Mad River
12 in minimum; coldwater + tailrace smallmouth fishery
Mosquito Creek Lake
12 in minimum, 5 / day combined black bass
Official source
Ohio Department of Natural Resources — Division of Wildlife publishes the authoritative 2026 Ohiofishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.