Montana · Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass size limit in Montana

You can keep one today — within these limits

Largemouth bass identification illustration — side view for checking Montana size limits
Largemouth bass, drawn to show the marks that identify it. It is an illustration, not a photo — where identification decides a fine, FWP is the authority.

Western District (includes Flathead Lake)

Open today
Size limit No size limit stated total length
Daily bag 5 per person per day, only 1 over 12 inches
Possession 5 total you may hold

Closes each year From the third Saturday in May through June 30, the bag drops to 1 fish a day, which must be over 22 inches — a spawning-protection window before the regular 5-fish rule resumes

Flathead Lake has no largemouth-specific override, so the Western District rule applies there in full, including the spring trophy-only window.

FWP source page

Central District

Open year-round
Size limit No size limit stated total length
Daily bag 5 per person per day, all black bass species combined
Possession 5 total you may hold

Central District keeps a single combined bass limit rather than splitting largemouth and smallmouth as the Western District does.

FWP source page

What we left out on purpose

Other species limits in Montana

You also need a Montana fishing license →

Where to try today