Smallmouth Bass in Indiana
smallmouth bass under the 2026-2027 Indiana guide.
- 5 a daybag
- 8 lb. 3.6 oz.record
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What the DNR prints on smallmouth bass
The row that governs smallmouth bass across Indiana is printed as "Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in lakes)". Per-day allowance, word for word: 5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass. The size column reads: 14 inches.
A 8 lb. 3.6 oz. fish from Monroe Lake (2024) holds the Indiana smallmouth bass mark. Of 60 Hoosier water pages naming it, the biggest are Monroe Lake, Patoka Lake and Brookville Lake. Since 2016 the DNR stocking dashboard shows 99,370 of them across 2 waters.
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu), Centrarchidae (sunfishes).
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| Where | Row as printed | Daily | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| statewide | Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in lakes) | 5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 14 inches |
| statewide | Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in rivers and streams) | 5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | No fish 12 to 15 inches may be kept, and no more than two fish over 15 inches may be kept |
| statewide | Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in Lake Michigan) | 3, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 14 inches |
| Ohio River main stem | Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | 6, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 12 inches No size limit on spotted bass |
Statewide limits as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Separate smallmouth bass lines for the lake and the river
| Water | Row as printed | Daily | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio River | Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | 6, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 12 inches No size limit on spotted bass |
Lake Michigan and Ohio River rows as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
The Indiana smallmouth bass record
| Weight as printed | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 lb. 3.6 oz. | Monroe Lake | Monroe County | 2024 |
Indiana DNR Indiana Record Fish Program list (keeper: Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife (Indiana Record Fish Program); angler names left off here), read November 5, 2026.
Indiana water pages carrying smallmouth bass
- Monroe Lake10,750 acres, Monroe County
- Patoka Lake8,800 acres, Crawford County
- Brookville Lake4,364 acres (NHD outline area), Franklin County
- Salamonie Lake2,874 acres (NHD outline area), Wabash County
- Mississinewa Lake2,160 acres (NHD outline area), Wabash County
- Lake Maxinkuckee1,910 acres (NHD outline area), Marshall County
- Lake Freeman1,569 acres (NHD outline area), White County
- Cagles Mill Lake1,400 acres, Owen County
- Eagle Creek Reservoir1,128 acres (NHD outline area), Marion County
- J.C. Murphey Lake754 acres (NHD outline area), Newton County
- Big Turkey Lake470 acres (NHD outline area), LaGrange County
- Oliver Lake390 acres (NHD outline area), LaGrange County
- Worster Lake337 acres (NHD outline area), St. Joseph County
- J. Edward Roush Lake298 acres (NHD outline area), Huntington County
- Waubee Lake199 acres (NHD outline area), Kosciusko County
- Whitewater Lake170 acres (NHD outline area), Union County
- Griffy Lake117 acres (NHD outline area), Monroe County
- Ball Lake89 acres (NHD outline area), Steuben County
- Deep Pit34 acres (NHD outline area), Sullivan County
- Round Lake (Steuben County)34 acres (NHD outline area), Steuben County
- Pleasant Lake (St. Joseph County)32 acres (NHD outline area), St. Joseph County
- Schlamm Lake19 acres (NHD outline area), Clark County
- Stayner Lake9 acres (NHD outline area), Steuben County
- Boones PondBoone County
Indiana DNR public lakes layer (county, owner, fisheries district number, location text), read November 5, 2026.
Hatchery smallmouth bass in Indiana waters
| Water as listed | Fish since 2016 |
|---|---|
| Greenwood Lake | 98,370 |
| Big Turkey Lake | 1,000 |
Indiana DNR fish stocking dashboard (year, month, water, species, number and average length as listed; repeat stockings summed by DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Other Indiana fish in the smallmouth bass family
- Black Crappie25 a day
- Bluegillno bag limit
- Flierno statewide row
- Green Sunfishno statewide row
- Largemouth Bass5 a day
- Redear Sunfish25 a day
- Rock Bass25 a day
- Spotted Bass5 a day
- Warmouthno statewide row
- White Crappie25 a day
Piscifun reels to toss in the boat for Indiana smallmouth bass
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Hoosier lakes and creeks near Smallmouth Bass, on camera
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Christine Wittenmeier, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Serge Melki, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
What Hoosiers ask about smallmouth bass
What is the statewide smallmouth bass limit in Indiana?
Bag 5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass, size 14 inches, statewide.
Does the DNR list a record smallmouth bass?
It weighed 8 lb. 3.6 oz.; Monroe Lake, 2024.
Which Indiana pages here mention smallmouth bass?
60 Indiana pages, Monroe Lake, Patoka Lake and Brookville Lake first.
Where does the smallmouth bass rule change in Indiana?
Special water entries do not name it; posted rules on a water still apply.
Were smallmouth bass stocked in Indiana recently?
99,370 into 2 waters since 2016, last in 2023.
Which Indiana license covers smallmouth bass?
Anglers 18 and older carry an Indiana fishing license ($23 a year for residents, $60 for nonresidents).
Which family do smallmouth bass belong to in Indiana?
Micropterus dolomieu; family Centrarchidae (sunfishes), on the DNR Fishes of Indiana list.
Which days are license-free for smallmouth bass?
The Indiana DNR set Free Fishing Days for May 10, June 6-7, and Sept. 26, 2026, for Indiana residents (no license or trout/salmon stamp needed; all other rules apply). Size and bag rules stay in force.
Pick an Indiana lake for smallmouth bass
Each water above has its ramps and special rules on its own page.