Fishing Regulations in Ohio
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Ohio fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Ohio requires a fishing license for anglers 16 and older. Resident and non-resident annual licenses are available, along with 1-day and 3-day options. A Lake Erie permit is required in addition to the base license for fishing Lake Erie and its tributaries.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 5 per day | 12 inches minimum | Year-round (catch-and-release only during spring spawn on some waters) | Check ODNR regulations for specific water body rules. |
| smallmouth-bass | 5 per day (combined with largemouth) | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| walleye | 6 per day (Lake Erie), 4 per day (inland) | 15 inches minimum | Year-round | Lake Erie permit required for Erie and tributaries. |
| yellow-perch | 30 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| musky | 1 per day | 30 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| channel-catfish | 10 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| crappie | 30 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| sauger | 6 per day (combined with walleye) | 14 inches minimum | Year-round |
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round (catch-and-release only during spring spawn on some waters)
Notes: Check ODNR regulations for specific water body rules.
Bag Limit: 5 per day (combined with largemouth)
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 6 per day (Lake Erie), 4 per day (inland)
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Lake Erie permit required for Erie and tributaries.
Bag Limit: 30 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 1 per day
Size Limit: 30 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 10 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 30 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 6 per day (combined with walleye)
Size Limit: 14 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Top Fishing Waters
Lake Erie
lakeSpecies: walleye, yellow-perch, smallmouth-bass, white-bass, channel-catfish
Alum Creek
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, musky
Hoover Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, walleye
Ohio River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, channel-catfish, flathead-catfish, sauger, carp
Salt Fork Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, musky
Mosquito Creek Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: walleye, crappie, largemouth-bass, musky, yellow-perch
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 13 lbs 2 oz | 1976 | Farm Pond |
| smallmouth-bass | 9 lbs 8 oz | 1993 | Long Lake |
| walleye | 16 lbs 3 oz | 1999 | Lake Erie |
| musky | 55 lbs 2 oz | 1972 | Leesville Reservoir |
| channel-catfish | 37 lbs 10 oz | 1972 | LaDue Reservoir |
| flathead-catfish | 76 lbs 8 oz | 1979 | Clendening Reservoir |
| yellow-perch | 2 lbs 12 oz | 1984 | Lake Erie |
| crappie | 4 lbs 8 oz | 2018 | Private Pond |
| white-bass | 4 lbs 2 oz | 1983 | Lake Erie |