Do largemouth bass and smallmouth bass have the same limits?

Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass often have different size limits and slot rules in the same water, and some states count them together while others do not. Check your state regulations before keeping any. Smallmouth frequently carry different limits from largemouth, and many rivers have catch-and-release or slot regulations specifically for them.

Largemouth Bass vs Smallmouth Bass

The check that settles it

Jaw length. Largemouth upper jaw extends past the eye; smallmouth stops at or before it. Smallmouth also has vertical bars, not a horizontal stripe.

Why this matters beyond curiosity

Look-alike species often carry different limits. Walleye and sauger, black and white crappie, pike and muskie, blue and channel catfish — each pair can have different sizes, seasons and daily limits in the same water.
Check it before the fish goes in the livewell. Most of the tests on this site take seconds and are far easier on a fish you are still holding.
If you cannot tell, release it. That is the answer that is never wrong, and it is the one a warden will not argue with.
Regulations are set by your state or province and change annually. This site identifies fish; it does not tell you the rules. Check the current regulations for the water you are on.

Largemouth Bass

Black bass

Micropterus salmoides

Markings: horizontal stripe
Body: torpedo
Typical size: 1–8 lb
Regulations: Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass often have different size limits and slot rules in the same water, and some states count them together while others do not. Check your state regulations before keeping any.

Smallmouth Bass

Black bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Markings: vertical bars
Body: torpedo
Typical size: 1–5 lb
Regulations: Smallmouth frequently carry different limits from largemouth, and many rivers have catch-and-release or slot regulations specifically for them.

Confirming a largemouth bass

Close the mouth: the upper jaw extends past the rear edge of the eye. On a smallmouth it stops at or before the eye.
The dorsal fin is deeply notched, almost separating into two fins.
A ragged dark horizontal stripe along the side, not vertical bars.
No rows of dark spots below the lateral line, which distinguishes it from spotted bass.

Confirming a smallmouth bass

Upper jaw ends at or before the rear edge of the eye.
Dark vertical bars rather than a horizontal stripe.
Bronze or brown-gold cast, not green.
Dorsal fin continuous, only shallowly notched.
Red or orange eye in many populations.