LICENSE EXEMPTIONS
A fishing license is not required of persons who are:
- Less than 16 years of age
- Giving assistance to an angler who is physically disabled, provided the two persons together are using only one line
- Fishing in a private pond
- Fishing on land and water which they or their parents own
- Fishing on land and water where they or their parents are tenants on which they reside and from which they derive the majority of their income from agricultural production on that land (except state owned lakes)
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on annual leave or furlough
- On May 1 & 2, 2004, any Ohio resident may fish without a license as part of Free Fishing Days.
GENERAL INFORMATION
-It is unlawful to buy or sell any fish taken by angling from any water area in the state where an Ohio Fishing License is required.
-It is unlawful to transport and introduce any aquatic species (fish, inverte-brate, plant) from one body of water to another.
-It is unlawful for the public to tag and release fish into any public water area.
-It is unlawful to clean fish or posses fillets while on or at a body of water.
-For more information see ORC 1501:31-13-08 J
FORAGE FISH means freshwater drum (in the Lake Erie fishing district only), 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, seines, or traps, or by snagging within 1,000 feet downstream of a dam. Gizzard shad and smelt may be taken with a minnow seine, minnow dip net, or hand landing net.
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 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. Hooks may not be larger than five-eighths inch from shank to point.
FROG SEASON is open from June 15 at 6 p.m. through April 30. Only bullfrogs and green frogs may be legally taken. Not more than 10 may be taken or possessed at any time. Frogs may not be shot except with a longbow and arrow. Hours are local time.
TURTLES may not be taken by shooting with a gun or crossbow, or by use of a spring or steel trap. Only snapping and softshell turtles may be legally taken. A turtle trap with mesh less than 4 inches square must have an opening at least 6 inches in diameter leading from it. Wings and leads are unlawful. The trap must be marked with the name and address of the owner or user in English lettering.
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 bait fish. A bait dealers permit is required of persons buying or selling min-nows, crayfish, and hellgrammites. This permit may be obtained from any wildlife district office.
LAKE STURGEON The lake sturgeon is an endangered species in Ohio and must be returned unharmed to the water as soon as possible if caught.
CLAMS, MUSSELS, OR MUSSEL SHELLS may not be taken, possessed, or collected for any pupose.
MINNOW SEINES AND DIP NET REGULATIONS
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:
*Including East and West harbors in Ottawa County and waters where fishing with nets is licensed by law. Hours are local time.
MINNOW OR BAIT FISH TRAPS- It is illegal for anglers to possess or use a minnow or bait fish trap larger than 24 inches in length and 12 inches in width. Additionally, possessing or using a minnow or bait fish trap with an opening larger than one inch is illegal.
CAST NETS- Forage fish may be taken with cast nets only in the Inland Fishing District. 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 of greater than 10 feet.
FISHING LINES- Anglers may not use more than two fishing lines, 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.
ARCHERY ANGLERS may use bows of any weight pull. A fishing license is required. Longbows may be used to take bullfrogs, green frogs, snapping and softshell turtles, and forage fish. Crossbows may be used to take forage fish.
ICE ANGLERS may use holes no larger than 12 inches in diameter. In Lake Erie ice anglers may use holes no larger than 12 inches in width. Ice anglers may not use more than 6 tip-ups and 2 rods per person. All shelters and tip-ups must display the name and address of the owner or user in English lettering.
LIVE RELEASE OF FISH- Any fish not of legal size or not legally caught must be released immediately. Anglers choosing to release fish should use the following guidelines: Handle it carefully with a wet hand or a wet towel so it can be freed unharmed. If its a fish without sharp teeth like a bass, hold its lower lip between your thumb and index finger. If it has sharp teeth like a walleye or Northern pike, carefully hold it around the body. If the fish is hooked deeply and the hook cant easily be removed, cut the line to release the fish. Tearing a hook out can harm a fish so badly that it may not live.
LAKE ERIE & TRIBUTARIES
Lake Erie and its Tributaries to the First Dam or Designated Landmark
These regulations apply to the Ohio waters of Lake Erie, its embayments including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, and West Harbor, and tributaries to the first dam or designated landmark as follows: Maumee River - Grand Rapids Dam; Sandusky River - Ballville Dam; Vermilion River – St. Rt. 2 bridge; Black River – St. Rt. 611 bridge; Rocky River – Detroit Rd. bridge; Cuyahoga River – Harvard Rd. bridge; Euclid Creek, Chagrin River – St. Rt. 283 bridge; Arcola Creek, Wheeler Creek, Cowles Creek, Indian Creek – U.S. Rt. 20 bridge; Grand River – St. Rt. 535 bridge; Conneaut Creek – Main St. (downtown Conneaut) bridge; Ashtabula River – E. 24th St. bridge.
SITE SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
These regulations apply only to the water areas listed under the LOCATION column.
OHIO RIVER
Ohio River Fishing Regulations and License Agreements
The following Ohio River fishing regulations are the result of negotiations between the wildlife agencies of Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Since 1994 Ohio’s fishing regulations have been unified with those of West Virginia and Kentucky for fishing on the Ohio River between our mutual borders. The following daily bag limits and minimum size limits apply to the Ohio River and its embayments and tributaries to the first dam or riffle. Note that the regulations differ slightly between the Ohio/West Virginia border (Eastern Unit) and the Ohio/Kentucky border (Western Unit).
Western Unit (Kentucky/Ohio border only – Lawrence County west of Southpoint, and Scioto, Adams, Brown, Clermont, and Hamilton counties). Ohio and Kentucky will honor the other state’s fishing licenses along their common borders on the mainstem and from the banks of the Ohio River, excluding embayments and tributaries. This agreement applies to Ohio and Kentucky residents only. The following regulations are the only unified regulations in the agreement – for all other regulations, anglers must abide by those of the state by which they are licensed, except that Ohio anglers must abide by Kentucky laws when fishing from the Kentucky shoreline, and Kentucky anglers must abide by Ohio laws when fishing from the Ohio shoreline
Eastern Unit (West Virginia/Ohio border only – Lawrence County east of Southpoint, and Gallia, Meigs, Athens, Washington, Monroe, Belmont, Jefferson, and Columbiana counties). Ohio and West Virginia will honor the other state’s fishing licenses along their common borders on the mainstem of the Ohio River, including its banks and embayments and tributaries to the first dam or riffle. This agreement applies to Ohio and West Virginia residents only. The following regulations are the only unified regulations in the agreement. For all other regulations, Ohio anglers must abide by West Virginia laws when fishing the river mainstem and its banks, embayments, and tributaries in West Virginia. West Virginia anglers must abide by Ohio laws when fishing from the riverbanks, embayments, and tributaries in Ohio.
PYMATUNING LAKE
Pymatuning Lake Fishing Regulations
Either an Ohio or Pennsylvania fishing license may be used when fishing from a boat; however, a Pennsylvania fishing license is required to take fish, frogs, or turtles from the shore of the Pennsylvania side or from any island. Walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and muskellunge cannot be filleted before the angler has completed fishing. Fish may be taken only by angling, except carp and suckers may be taken with longbow and arrow or spears. Special regulations apply to frogs, turtles, tadpoles, minnows, and ice fishing – see the Pennsylvania regulations for specific information.
REMAINDER OF THE STATE
Regulations for the Remainder of the State These regulations apply to all water areas NOT included in the Lake Erie and its Tributaries, Site-Specific, Ohio River, or Pymatuning Lake regulation sections.
SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR MAUMEE, PORTAGE, MAHONING AND SANDUSKY RIVERS AND BAYS
The following regulation is in effect from March 1 to May 1: Fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset only in the following areas when posted with signs: (1) the Maumee River from the Ohio Turnpike bridge to the Old Waterville interurban bridge at the end of Forst Road in Wood County and from the St. Rt. 578 bridge to the Grand Rapids Providence dam; (2) the Portage River from St. Rt. 19 to the dam at Elmore; (3) the Mahoning River from the dam at Berlin Lake to Lake Milton; and (4) the Sandusky River from where the Toledo Edison power line, Old Ballville and Fifth St. Line, crosses the Sandusky River at the southeast corner of Roger Young Park in Fremont to the northern tip of Brady’s Island. All fishing is prohibited in the Sandusky River from the Ballville dam to the Toledo Edison power line, Old Ballville and Fifth St. Line, at the southeast corner of Roger Young Park in Fremont when posted with signs.
The following regulations are in effect from March 1 to May 1: (1) No fishing with a line with more than a single hook. The line may not have a hook larger than one-half inch from shank to point, or lure having more than a single hook larger than one-half inch from shank to point. (2) Treble hooks are prohibited.
The above regulations are in effect in the following areas: (1) In the Maumee River from the Grand Rapids Providence dam to a line in the Maumee Bay, from Little Cedar Point to Turtle Island. (2) In the Sandusky River from where the power line, "Toledo Edison", Old Ballville and Fifth street line crosses the Sandusky River at the southwest corner of Roger Young park, City of Freemont, Sandusky County to a line in Sandusky Bay from Marblehead lighthouse to the tip of Cedar Point breakwall. (3) In the Portage River from State Route 19 to the dam at Elmore. (4) In the Mahoning River from the dam at Berlin Reservoir to Lake Milton.
Click Here to view a map showing the Lake Erie bays and rivers where the treble hooks are prohibited from March 1-May 1.
AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES
 Aquatic nuisance species - Ohio waters are threatened by several non-native fish, invertebrate, and plant species such as white perch, goby, ruffe, zebra mussels, and Eurasian watermilfoil. These species can be harmful to not only the diversity and abundance of native fishes and mussels, but also commercial, aquaculture, and recreational activities. Ohio anglers can help prevent the spread of these species by:
1. Removing all aquatic plants and animals from their boat, motor, trailer, and accessories before leaving any water area.
2. Draining live and transom wells thoroughly before leaving the water area.
3. NOT dumping live bait or fish into any water area.
It is illegal to transport and introduce any aquatic species from one body of water to another or possess live ruffe, goby, and zebra mussels for any purpose.
Other exotic species and hybrids cannot be imported, sold, or possessed for the purpose of introduction in any body of water that is connected to or drains into a flowing stream or other body of water.
 HOW TO MEASURE A FISH
The measurement of the length of a fish is taken in a straight line from the utmost end of the snout with the mouth closed to the utmost end of the caudal (tail) fin when the tail fin is compressed so that the upper and lower lobes touch or overlap.
Measure fish with mouth closed and tail compressed to determine total length.
SETLINES, BANKLINES, TROTLINES, AND FLOATLINES
Regulations Governing the Use of Setlines, Banklines, Trotlines, and Floatlines in the Inland Fishing District Setlines or Banklines - Setlines or Banklines may be used to catch turtles and fish. The name and address of the user must be attached to each line. The maximum is 50 lines, each having a single hook. Treble hooks may not be used. The lines must be attached to the shore above water, but not to a boat, dam, dock, pier, pole, rod, or wall. No more than six set or banklines may be used in public waters of the state of Ohio less than 700 surface acres. All lines must be checked once every 24 hours. All lines must be removed after completion of use.
Trotlines - Trotlines must be marked with the name and address of the user. Trotlines must be anchored. Wire or cable may not be used. Not more than three trotlines are permitted in any one body of water in the Inland Fishing District. Not more than 50 hooks per trotline are permitted in any tributary of Lake Erie. Trotlines may not be used within 1,000 feet downstream of any dam. Trotlines may be used only in (1) streams; (2) Mosquito Lake north of the causeway and south of a line of buoys designating the wildlife refuge; (3) Charles Mill Lake north of St. Rt. 430; (4) Clendening Lake east of St. Rt. 799; (5) Seneca Lake south of St. Rt. 147; (6) Tappan Lake above the gas line causeway and St. Rt. 646; (7) Atwood Lake north and east of St. Rt. 542 north at Dellroy; (8) Piedmont Lake in sections 11 and 12 of Kirkwood Township; (9) Wills Creek Lake except in the area directly in front of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District boat landing; (10) that part of Berlin Lake lying south and west of St. Rt. 225; (11) the inland part of Sandusky Bay commonly called Mud Creek Bay; and (12) the area of Grand Lake St. Marys bounded on the west by Prairie Creek, on the east by Big Chickasaw Creek, and on the north by a line of buoys extending east to west between Big Chickasaw and Prairie creeks. Trotlines may not be set in channels or across the mouths of channels or streams in Grand Lake St. Marys. A special trotline license is required in the Lake Erie Fishing District. This license may be obtained at the Sandusky Fisheries Research Unit, 305 East Shoreline Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870 (Phone # 419-625-8062). All trotlines must be checked once every 24 hours.
Floatlines - Floatline or jug fishing is permitted in (1) all streams; (2) Sandusky Bay west of the New York Central Railroad bridge; (3) Berlin Lake south and west of St. Rt. 225; (4) Mosquito Lake north of the causeway and south of a line of buoys designating the waterfowl refuge; (5) Charles Mill Lake north of St. Rt. 430; (6) Clendening Lake east of St. Rt. 799; (7) Seneca Lake south of St. Rt. 147; (8) Tappan Lake above the gas line causeway and St. Rt. 646; (9) Atwood Lake north and east of St. Rt. 542 north at Dellroy; (10) Piedmont Lake in Sections 11 and 12 of Kirkwood Township; (11) Wills Creek Lake except in the area directly in front of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District boat landing; and (12) ALL PUBLIC WATERS EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED BY THE OWNER IN AUTHORITY. It is unlawful to set, use, or maintain more than six floatlines in all public waters of the state of Ohio less than 700 surface acres. Floats must be of nonshatterable material and bear the name and address of the user. Floats must be freely adrift and be attended by the user at all times. Treble hooks are unlawful.
FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY
Fish are nutritious and good to eat. Fish are low in fat, high in protein, and provide substantial health benefits when eaten in place of high-fat foods in the diet. While most sport fish taken in Ohio are safe to eat, chemicals such as mercury and PCBs have been found in some fish from certain waters. The levels of these chemicals are usually low, but could potentially be a health concern to individuals whose diet consists of a high percentage of fish.
For public health protection, the Division of Wildlife and Ohio EPA, in cooperation with the Department of Health, routinely monitor chemicals in fish collected from waters throughout Ohio. The Department of Health then issues an annual fish contaminant advisory. You can obtain a free copy of Ohio’s Fish Consumption Advisory where you purchase your fishing license, or by contacting the Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216. EPA phone 614-644-2160. |
