Ohio Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ 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).
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass | 5 combined | Min 12 in |
| Blue & flathead catfish | No limit under 35 in; 1 of each over 35 in statewide | Min 35 in |
| Channel catfish | No limit under 28 in; 1 over 28 in statewide | Min 28 in |
| Striped, hybrid-striped & white bass | 30 combined | Max 4 over 15 in |
| Trout | 5 combined | No minimum |
| Walleye, sauger, saugeye | 6 combined | No minimum (Lake Erie/Ohio River differ) |
| Yellow perch | No statewide limit (Lake Erie has limits) | |
| Muskellunge | No statewide limit (site-specific) |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Alum Creek Lake
- Muskellunge: 36 in minimum, 1/day; hybrid muskie 30 in.
Indian Lake
- Crappie 9 in min; walleye 15 in min.
Grand Lake St. Marys
- Channel catfish 13 in min; crappie 9 in min.
Lake Erie
- Walleye: 15 in minimum, 6/day (May 1 - Apr 30); yellow perch: 7 in minimum, 30/day (varies by zone); see separate Lake Erie regs.
Ohio River
- Separate Ohio River regulations apply (walleye, sauger limits vary).
Caesar Creek Lake
- Muskellunge 36 in min.
Deer Creek Lake
- Crappie 9 in min.
Salt Fork Lake
- Muskellunge 36 in min; crappie 9 in min.
Alum Creek Reservoir
- Muskellunge 36 in min, 1/day.
East Fork Lake
- Saugeye 15 in min, 6/day; crappie 9 in min.
Lake Logan
- Muskellunge 36 in min.
Lake Milton
- Walleye 15 in min.
Piedmont Lake
- Muskellunge 36 in min.
Tappan Lake
- Walleye 15 in min.
West Branch Reservoir
- Walleye 15 in min.
Willard Reservoir
- Trout: special winter stocking waters.
Lake White
- Muskellunge 36 in min.
Cowan Lake
- Crappie 9 in min.
Seasons
Most species open year-round; Lake Erie and Ohio River have separate regulations.
Licence Fees
Ohio fishing license required (resident/non-resident); Lake Erie charter/perch regulations apply.
Edition: 2026 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ohiodnr.gov/outdoor-activities/fishing)
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