When is Largemouth Bass season in Florida?

Statewide: Year-round. Season windows vary by FWC management region.

Largemouth Bass in Florida — Regs, Seasons & Tips

Q: What is the size limit for Largemouth Bass in Florida?

The current FWC size limit for Largemouth Bass in Florida is No statewide minimum. Only 1 fish 16 inches or longer per angler per day. Trophy lakes and Fish Management Areas may have additional slot or maximum length limits.. Always confirm at MyFWC.com before keeping a fish — regulations can change on short notice.

Q: What is the bag limit for Largemouth Bass in Florida?

The current FWC daily bag limit for Largemouth Bass in Florida is 5 black bass total per day (all species combined including Florida, largemouth, spotted, Suwannee, shoal, Choctaw), only 1 of which may be 16" or longer..

Current FWC regulations

Season

Statewide

Year-round

Size limit

No statewide minimum. Only 1 fish 16 inches or longer per angler per day. Trophy lakes and Fish Management Areas may have additional slot or maximum length limits.

Bag limit

5 black bass total per day (all species combined including Florida, largemouth, spotted, Suwannee, shoal, Choctaw), only 1 of which may be 16" or longer.

Legal gear

Hook and line, artificial lures, live bait. Underwater/diving spearfishing prohibited.

Notes

TrophyCatch anglers may temporarily possess a bass 8+ lbs for photo documentation; must release alive in same waterbody. Chipola shoal bass = catch and release only.

These limits are summarized from public FWC data and reviewed monthly. Florida regulations can change on short notice — always verify at MyFWC.com/Fishing before keeping a fish.

Best time to fish

Winter/early spring spawn (Dec-March) produces the biggest fish. Topwater fires up April-May and again in October.

Best baits and tackle

Live shiners (the gold standard). Artificials: soft-plastic worms (Senko, worm, creature bait), spinnerbaits, swim jigs, weedless topwater frogs over pads.

Where to find them

Vegetation edges (hydrilla, lily pads, eelgrass), boat docks, brush, drop-offs. Backs of coves in spring, deeper structure in summer.

Sources

Cross-referenced with the FWC Saltwater Regulations and FWC Freshwater Regulations. Reviewed July 2026.

Species photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons contributors and public agencies (USFWS / NOAA / state fisheries). Licensed CC-BY, CC-BY-SA, or public domain.