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Ohio

Fishing

Fishing

General Fishing Information

  • Anglers may use a maximum of three fishing rods statewide.
  • All fish may be taken by hand except bullheads, catfish, trout and salmon species statewide, and walleye and sauger in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers.
  • It is unlawful to transport and introduce any aquatic species (fish, invertebrate, plant) from one body of water to another.
  • Fillets are required to be kept whole until an angler reaches their permanent residence, or until the fish are prepared for immediate consumption. Frozen fish are required to be transported in such a way that the fillets can be easily identified and counted. This does not apply to anglers with a receipt from a fish cleaning house, charter captain, or licensed fishing guide which states the date, number, and type of fish possessed. Fish must be transported whole or as a complete fillet while returning from the Lake Erie islands on a commercial ferry boat.
  • It is unlawful for any person to possess a fish in any form or condition other than whole while on or unloading the fish from a boat, while wading, or while fishing on or in any waters in this state where a fishing license is required.
  • It is unlawful to buy or sell any fish taken from any waters in the state where an Ohio fishing license is required, regardless of the method of take. Exceptions apply for a commercial fishing license or bait dealer permit.
  • Forage fish, rough fish, and game fish that do not have a possession or length limit on those waters may be cut up and used for bait, provided that the skin or head of the bait is intact so that the species is visually identifiable.
  • It is unlawful for the public to tag and release fish into any public water area.
  • It is unlawful to introduce or release exotic species of fish or aquatic invertebrates into the wild.

Free License

  • Ohio residents born on or before December 31, 1937 may obtain a free license at any license outlet, or online at wildohio.gov.
  • The following Ohio residents are also eligible for a free license, but must submit a formal application, which is available by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543):
    • Persons who are mobility impaired and require the assistance of another person to cast and retrieve
    • Holders of veteran license plates displaying the international wheelchair symbol
    • Certain veterans who are permanently disabled
    • Residents of state and county institutions
    • Former prisoners of war.

Archery Anglers

Archery anglers may use bows of any draw weight. A fishing license is required. Archery equipment may be used to take bullfrogs, green frogs, and forage fish.

Social Security Number Requirement

Any customer who applies for a license is required to provide their Social Security Number (SSN). Federal Statute 42 requires the SSN of any individual to whom the state issues a recreational hunting or fishing license. Applicants who do not have an active SSN must affirm their status at the time of application. Applicants must also declare their residency and provide their full name, date of birth, gender, address, height, weight, hair color, and eye color. Once provided and recorded in the licensing system, applicants will only be required to update their information on file if it changes.

Fishing Lines

Anglers may use a maximum of three fishing lines statewide, whether fastened to a pole, a rod and reel, or hand-held. Anglers may use up to three hooks on each line, except as provided in the Ohio Administrative Code.

Clams, Mussels, & Mussel Shells

Clams, mussels, or mussel shells may not be taken, possessed, or collected for any purpose.

Bait

It is unlawful for any person except licensed bait dealers to possess more than 100 crayfish, or in combination 500 crayfish, minnows, and other baitfish. A bait dealer’s permit is required of persons buying or selling minnows, crayfish, and hellgrammites. This permit may be obtained online.

It is unlawful for any person to release any fish or aquatic invertebrate, including but not limited to crayfish, snails and insects, into waters of the state from which it did not originate.

Minnow Or Bait Fish Traps

It is illegal to set, use, or maintain a minnow or bait fish trap larger than 24 inches in length or 12 inches in width, or with an opening larger than 1 inch. A tag must be attached with the owner’s name and address or their customer identification number.

Snagging

Snagging with a hook to pierce and hook a fish in a part of the body other than the inside of the mouth is illegal for all fish except forage fish. In Lake Erie, it is also illegal to snag freshwater drum. Snagging any species of fish is illegal from September 1 to April 30 in the Ashtabula River, Chagrin River, Grand River, Rocky River, Vermilion River, Arcola Creek, Conneaut Creek, Cowles Creek, Euclid Creek, Indian Creek, Turkey Creek, and Wheeler Creek. It is illegal to snag any species of fish during any time of the year in the Ohio River. Snagging is prohibited within 1,000 feet downstream of any dam on the Muskingum River. Snagging is prohibited within 1,000 feet downstream of a dam where signs are posted. Hooks used for snagging may not be larger than 5/8 inch from shank to point.

Cast Nets

Forage fish and minnows may be taken with cast nets. All other fish are required to be released immediately unharmed. It is unlawful to use a cast net with a square mesh less than 1/4 inch or larger than 1 inch on a side, or with a diameter greater than 10 feet. It is illegal to use a cast net within a distance of 1,000 feet downstream from any dam posted with Ohio Division of Wildlife signs indicating cast net use is prohibited.

Ice Anglers

Ice anglers may use holes no larger than 12 inches in diameter. On Lake Erie, ice anglers may use holes no larger than 12 inches in width. Ice anglers may not use more than six tip‑ups and three rods per person. All shelters and tip‑ups must display the name and address or customer identification number of the owner or user. A tip-up means a device consisting of a hook and line attached to a spring or other device which is capable of raising a small flag or other signaling device when a fish is biting or is hooked.

Forage Fish

Forage fish means freshwater drum (sheepshead), common carp, grass carp (in waters not stocked by the Ohio Division of Wildlife for vegetation control, as indicated by signs), bighead carp, silver carp, black carp, quillback, suckers, bowfin, gar, buffalo, gizzard shad, and goldfish. These species may be taken by any method except by means of explosives, poisons, firearms, electricity, chemicals, nets (other than cast nets), seines, traps, or by snagging within 1,000 feet downstream of a posted dam or dam on the Muskingum River (see SNAGGING for additional information). Gizzard shad and rainbow smelt may be taken with a minnow seine, minnow dip net, or hand landing net.

Minnow Seines and Dip Nets

Square mesh must not be larger than 1/2 inch on a side.

Seine and net size limits and places where they may be used are as follows:

Fishing DistrictMaximum SizeWhere and When They May be Used
Minnow Seine: Inland4 feet x 8 feetStreams only, 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Minnow Seine: Lake Erie *
None
No Limit
Minnow Dip Net: Inland
4 feet, each side
All public fishing waters
Minnow Dip Net: Lake Erie *
6 feet, each side
All public fishing waters

* Including East and West harbors in Ottawa County, and waters where fishing with nets is licensed by law.