When is smallmouth bass season in Tennessee?

Tennessee keeps smallmouth bass open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the Tennessee bag limit for smallmouth bass?

The Tennessee daily bag limit for smallmouth bass is 5 / day combined black bass. The possession limit is 5 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size smallmouth bass can you keep in Tennessee?

The Tennessee size rule for smallmouth bass is 18 in min Dale Hollow + Center Hill + Norris + Old Hickory + Watauga; 15 in min Tennessee River main stem + statewide elsewhere.

Do you need a license to fish for smallmouth bass in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee requires a valid fishing license to fish for smallmouth bass, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Tennessee license — compare resident and non-resident Tennessee fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for smallmouth bass in Tennessee?

Yes. In Tennessee, smallmouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Trophy waters (Dale Hollow, Center Hill, Norris, Old Hickory, Watauga): 18 in min — verify current TWRA pamphlet; Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited; Dale Hollow open water: KY or TN licence honoured under reciprocity.

Do specific Tennessee waters have different smallmouth bass rules?

Yes. 5 named Tennessee waters carry rules that override the statewide smallmouth bass regulation, including Dale Hollow Lake (TN/KY), Center Hill Lake, Norris Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Tennessee Smallmouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

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Last updated May 26, 2026

Dale Hollow Lake — shared with Kentucky — produced the world-record 11 lb 15 oz smallmouth in 1955, a record that still stands seven decades later. Dale Hollow, Center Hill, Norris, and Old Hickory all carry an 18 inch trophy minimum to protect their fisheries. The Tennessee River main-stem reservoirs (Pickwick, Wheeler, Wilson, Chickamauga, Watts Bar, Fort Loudoun) sit on a 15 inch / 5 fish standard. East-Tennessee mountain rivers — the Hiwassee, the Holston, the French Broad, the Little Tennessee — produce excellent stream smallmouth.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 5 / day combined black bass
Possession: 5 in possession

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 18 in min Dale Hollow + Center Hill + Norris + Old Hickory + Watauga; 15 in min Tennessee River main stem + statewide elsewhere

Gear restrictions

Trophy waters (Dale Hollow, Center Hill, Norris, Old Hickory, Watauga): 18 in min — verify current TWRA pamphlet
Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited
Dale Hollow open water: KY or TN licence honoured under reciprocity

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Tennessee waters:

Dale Hollow Lake (TN/KY)
18 in min, 5 / day combined; world-record smallmouth fishery; reciprocal with KY
Center Hill Lake
18 in min, 5 / day combined black bass
Norris Lake
18 in min, 5 / day combined black bass
Old Hickory Lake
18 in min, 5 / day combined black bass
Pickwick Lake
15 in min, 5 / day combined black bass; BASS / MLF tournament venue

Official source

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency publishes the authoritative 2026 Tennesseefishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

Visit official Tennessee fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Smallmouth bass closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's emergency-order feed — check it before any Tennessee trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is smallmouth bass season in Tennessee?: Tennessee keeps smallmouth bass open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the Tennessee bag limit for smallmouth bass?: The Tennessee daily bag limit for smallmouth bass is 5 / day combined black bass. The possession limit is 5 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size smallmouth bass can you keep in Tennessee?: The Tennessee size rule for smallmouth bass is 18 in min Dale Hollow + Center Hill + Norris + Old Hickory + Watauga; 15 in min Tennessee River main stem + statewide elsewhere.
Do you need a license to fish for smallmouth bass in Tennessee?: Yes. Tennessee requires a valid fishing license to fish for smallmouth bass, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Tennessee license — compare resident and non-resident Tennessee fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for smallmouth bass in Tennessee?: Yes. In Tennessee, smallmouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Trophy waters (Dale Hollow, Center Hill, Norris, Old Hickory, Watauga): 18 in min — verify current TWRA pamphlet; Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited; Dale Hollow open water: KY or TN licence honoured under reciprocity.
Do specific Tennessee waters have different smallmouth bass rules?: Yes. 5 named Tennessee waters carry rules that override the statewide smallmouth bass regulation, including Dale Hollow Lake (TN/KY), Center Hill Lake, Norris Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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