Ohio features world-class Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fishing, plus excellent river and reservoir fishing across the state. Lake Erie is the walleye capital of the world with the Western Basin offering phenomenal spring fishing. The Ohio River provides smallmouth bass and catfish, Grand Lake St. Marys offers saugeye and crappie, and the inland reservoirs provide excellent largemouth bass and panfish fishing.
Fishing Regulations
- State regulations apply to all public waters except site-specific waters (Lake Erie, Ohio River, Site-Specific Waters).
- Endangered species (alligator gar, lake sturgeon, brook trout in some rivers, cisco, etc.) must be released immediately - possession prohibited.
- Report tagged fish (Lake Erie walleye tagging - $100 reward for tag info).
8 species limits are shown per spot in the CatchTales app.
Pick a region below to explore its fishing spots.
Central Ohio & Columbus
Alum Creek Lake, Hoover Reservoir, Scioto River, Erie
40 spots
Lake Erie & Islands
Lake Erie, Lake Erie Islands, Sandusky Bay, Indian
40 spots
Muskingum Valley
Muskingum River, Seneca Lake, Piedmont Lake, Erie
40 spots
Northeast Ohio & Portage
Portage Lakes, Tappan Lake, Mosquito Lake, Erie
40 spots
Southern Ohio & Ohio River
Ohio River, Lake White, Rocky Fork Lake, Erie
40 spots
Western Ohio & Grand Lake
Grand Lake St. Marys, Indian Lake, Miami River, Erie
40 spots
Get CatchTales
Ready to start bragging? Download the app and hit the water.