Ohio · Fishing
Fishing in Ohio
Ohio puts a surprising amount of water in front of anglers. The state's 383 fishing spots on Roamze range from sprawling Lake Erie near Martin, Riley Township, and Rice Township — one of the most productive walleye fisheries in the country
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Lake fishing
#1 Ditch
Conneaut, OH
Lake fishing
Akron Turner Club Pond
Springfield Township, OH
Lake fishing
Albon Lake
Springfield Township, OH
Lake fishing
Alder Pond
Akron, OH
reservoirLake fishing
Alum Creek Lake
Orange Township, OH
saugeye, largemouth bass
Lake fishing
Armco Park Lake
Turtlecreek Township, OH
Lake fishing
Armco Pond
Fairfield Township, OH
Lake fishing
Arrowhead Lake
Columbiana, OH
Lake fishing
Athens Ranger District - Athens Area
Dover Township, OH
Lake fishing
Athens Ranger District - Marietta Area
Marietta Township, OH
Lake fishing
Atomic Energy Commission Pond
Scioto Township, OH
Lake fishing
Aurora Lake
AURORA, OH
Lake fishing
Aurora Lake
Reminderville, OH
Lake fishing
Avondale Wildlife Area Reservoir Number Two
Newton Township, OH
Lake fishing
B & O Railroad Pond Dam
Flushing Township, OH
Lake fishing
Bailey Lake
Sutton Township, OH
Lake fishing
Baker Lake
Goshen Township, OH
Lake fishing
Baldwin Reservoir
Cleveland, OH
Lake fishing
Banks Pond
Monroe Township, OH
Lake fishing
Barnesville Reservoir
Warren Township, OH
Lake fishing
Barnesville Reservoir
Warren Township, OH
Lake fishing
Barnesville Reservoir Number Three
Somerset Township, OH
Lake fishing
Bass Lake
Munson Township, OH
Lake fishing
Bass Lake
Holiday Lakes, OH
Ohio puts a surprising amount of water in front of anglers. The state's 383 fishing spots on Roamze range from sprawling Lake Erie near Martin, Riley Township, and Rice Township — one of the most productive walleye fisheries in the country — down to tucked-away ponds like the Ohio Power Company reclamation ponds near Meigs Township and Bristol Township, which often hold bass and bluegill with almost no fishing pressure. In between, you have reservoirs like O'Shaughnessy near Concord Township, Hargus Lake near Washington Township, and Knox Lake near Berlin Township for lake fishing, plus river options like the Sandusky River Fremont Tailwater near Fremont, where walleye, white bass, channel catfish, and smallmouth bass are the target species at an elevation of 590 feet and a difficulty rating of easy. Leith Run near Independence Township and Deer Creek Lake's river access near Crownover Mill round out the moving-water options. Whether you're after a casual afternoon at a community pond like Frame Lake near Streetsboro or a serious multi-day walleye run on Lake Erie, Ohio has enough variety that the limiting factor is usually time, not options.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a fishing license to fish in Ohio?
Yes, anyone 16 or older needs a valid Ohio fishing license. You can purchase one through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website or at most bait-and-tackle shops. Some locations, like state park lakes, may have additional access requirements, so check the specific site before you go.
What species can I realistically target in Ohio?
Lake Erie is the headline act for walleye, but the Sandusky River Fremont Tailwater near Fremont also lists walleye along with white bass, channel catfish, and smallmouth bass. The Ohio Power Company reclamation ponds and lakes like Hargus, Knox, and Pittman near Ravenna Township are generally good bets for largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. Catfish show up in most of the larger reservoirs and river systems.
When is the best time of year to fish in Ohio?
Spring and fall are the most productive seasons across most of Ohio's lakes and rivers. Walleye on Lake Erie and the Sandusky River Tailwater near Fremont tend to run strong in March through May. Bass fishing on inland lakes like O'Shaughnessy Reservoir and Knox Lake picks up in late April and stays solid through October. Summer midday heat pushes fish deeper, so early morning and evening hours are worth prioritizing June through August.
Are the Ohio Power Company ponds open to the public?
Many of the Ohio Power Company reclamation ponds, including those near Meigs Township, Brookfield Township, and Bristol Township, are open to fishing, but access rules can vary by site and are managed under agreements with the Ohio Division of Wildlife. It's worth confirming current access status before making a trip, as some ponds have seasonal closures or require a free permit.
What skill level do I need for river fishing in Ohio?
The Sandusky River Fremont Tailwater near Fremont is rated easy, making it a solid starting point for anglers new to river fishing. Leith Run near Independence Township is a smaller stream that rewards a bit more finesse with presentation. Deer Creek Lake's river access near Crownover Mill is generally approachable for intermediate anglers comfortable reading moving water.
