Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

World-class smallmouth fishing on Lake Erie and Ohio's rivers.

Size Limit
12 inches
Daily Bag
5
Season
Year-round
State Record
9 lbs 8 oz
Lake Erie (1993)

Best Months to Fish

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

What to Use

Live Bait & Natural

crawfishminnowshellgrammitesleeches

Lures & Artificials

tube jigsned rigscrankbaitsdrop shotswimbaits

Overview

Lake Erie offers world-class smallmouth bass fishing, particularly around the islands and reefs of the Western Basin. The Great Miami River, Scioto River, and other Ohio streams also hold excellent smallmouth populations. Many anglers consider Ohio one of the top smallmouth destinations in the country.

Regulation Notes

Black bass aggregate daily limit of 5

More Ohio Fish Species

View all fish species →

Plan Your Smallmouth Bass Trip

Find lakes, guides, and bait shops for your next smallmouth bass fishing trip in Ohio.

Explore Lakes   Find a Guide   Bait & Tackle

Regulations shown are statewide defaults. Some waters have special regulations — always check the current Ohio DNR regulations before fishing. An Ohio fishing license is required for ages 16+.