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Ohio · Fishing
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
200 spots9 townsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 200 spots
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.
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.
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.
Delaware Lake Damsite Shelters
~1h 13m drive
A worthwhile stop near OH.
Alum Creek Below Dam Area
~1h 16m drive
A worthwhile stop near OH.
Mohican Trail Camp Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OH.
Kokosing River – Mount Vernon Access
~28 min drive
Moderate
Hoover Reservoir
~1h 13m drive
Easy
Banks Pond
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OH.
Alum Creek Lake
~1h 17m drive
Easy
Geottl Pond
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OH.
Knox Lake
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OH.
Charles Mill Lake
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OH.
Brown Lake
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OH.
Clear Fork Reservoir
~31 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OH.
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Conneaut, OH
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Springfield Township, OH
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Springfield Township, OH
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Akron, OH
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Orange Township, OH
saugeye, largemouth bass
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Turtlecreek Township, OH
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Columbiana, OH
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Dover Township, OH
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Marietta Township, OH
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Scioto Township, OH
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AURORA, OH
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Reminderville, OH
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Newton Township, OH
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Flushing Township, OH
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Sutton Township, OH
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Goshen Township, OH
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Cleveland, OH
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Monroe Township, OH
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Warren Township, OH
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Warren Township, OH
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Somerset Township, OH
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Munson Township, OH
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Holiday Lakes, OH
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.
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.
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.
