Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Ohio
State, United States. Authority : Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
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- Licence
- US$599.04Resident Lifetime License
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 38.1 cmWalleye, sauger & saugeye (Lake Erie)
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearFish Unhooking Mat with 100 cm RulerTo check the minimum size: Walleye 38.1 cm here.
€48.90£24.90Not shipped to the United States
Floating Spider Soft Lures, Pack of 6For : largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chub · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€33.90£19.90Not shipped to the United States
10 cm Hard Lures, Pack of 5 with BoxFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
No closed season listed in statewide regulations (5/day, no minimum size)
5/day, 12 in minimum during this period; 5/day, no minimum rest of the year
May 1 - June 26, 2026: 1 fish, 18 in (spawning period); Mar 1 - Apr 30 and Jun 27 - Feb 28: 5 fish, 14 in
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–60 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, smallmouth & spotted bass1 statewide inland (Lake Erie 14 in, 18 in May 1-Jun 26) | 30.5 cm | |
| Walleye, sauger & saugeye (Lake Erie)1 Lake Erie only; no statewide inland minimum; Ohio River unified 14 in | 38.1 cm |
To check the minimum size: Walleye 38.1 cm here. Fish Unhooking Mat with 100 cm Ruler €48.90£24.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Largemouth, smallmouth & spotted bass (combined)1 statewide | 5 per day |
| Walleye, sauger & saugeye (combined)1 statewide; Lake Erie 6 (Mar 1-Apr 30, 2026, then announced late April) | 6 per day |
| Muskellunge1 statewide, no minimum size (Ohio River 2, 30 in) | 1 per day |
| Trout (combined)1 statewide | 5 per day |
| Yellow perch1 statewide inland | 30 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident 1-Year Fishing License1 | annual (365 days from purchase) | US$25 |
| Resident 1-Day License1 | 1-day | US$14 |
| Resident 1-Year License1 | annual | US$25 |
| Resident 1-Year Upgraded from a 1-Day License1 | annual | US$12 |
| Resident 3-Year License1 | 3-year | US$72.11 |
| Resident 5-Year License1 | 5-year | US$120.18 |
| Resident 10-Year License1 | 10-year | US$240.36 |
| Resident Lifetime License1 | lifetime | US$599.04 |
| Resident Youth Lifetime License (bought before 16th birthday)1 | lifetime | US$430.56 |
| Resident Senior 1-Year License (65+, born on/after Jan 1, 1938)1 | annual | US$10 |
| Resident Senior 3-Year License1 | 3-year | US$27.04 |
| Resident Senior 5-Year License1 | 5-year | US$45.07 |
| Resident Senior Lifetime License1 | lifetime | US$84.24 |
| Nonresident 1-Day License1 | 1-day | US$27.04 |
| Nonresident 3-Day License1 | 3-day | US$52 |
| Nonresident 1-Year License1 | annual | US$76.96 |
| Nonresident 1-Year Upgraded from a 1-Day1 | annual | US$49.92 |
Buy the licence on oh-web.s3licensing.com
- Ages and exemptions1
- Persons under 16 are not required to have a fishing license. Ohio residents born on or before Dec 31, 1937 can obtain a free license; residents 65+ born on/after Jan 1, 1938 buy a Senior license. Free Fishing Days (residents): June 20-21, 2026.
Good to know
Licenses valid 365 days from purchase. Lake Erie has its own bass protection period (1 fish, 18 in, May 1-June 26) and 15 in walleye minimum; Ohio River western unit shares unified rules with Kentucky. Northern pike has no statewide daily limit or size listed. Brook trout possession prohibited.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- Site ohiodnr.gov renvoie 404 le 2026-09-23 (y compris dans un navigateur) ; données tirées du PDF officiel 2026-27 hébergé sur dam.assets.ohio.gov
- Pas de règle statewide pour northern pike dans le règlement
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Pymatuning Lake lake, Crawford County
Walleye View on the map - Grand Lake St. Marys lake, Mercer County View on the map
- Mosquito Creek Lake lake, Trumbull County
Walleye View on the map - Indian Lake lake, Logan County View on the map
- Seneca Lake lake, Guernsey County View on the map
- Alum Creek Lake lake, Delaware County
Muskellunge View on the map - Berlin Lake lake, Portage County
Walleye View on the map - Salt Fork Lake lake, Guernsey County
Muskellunge View on the map - Hoover Reservoir reservoir, Franklin County
Walleye View on the map - Buckeye Lake lake, Licking County View on the map
- Caesar Creek Lake lake, Warren County
Muskellunge View on the map - C.J. Brown Reservoir reservoir, Clark County
Walleye, Muskellunge View on the map - Lake Milton lake, Mahoning County
Walleye, Muskellunge View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Ohio in 2026?
The “Resident Lifetime License” licence costs US$599.04 (lifetime). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for walleye in Ohio?
Walleye: 38.1 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Ohio Fishing Regulations 2026-27 (effective March 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Buy Your Fishing License (ODNR; page 404 on 2026-09-23, archived 2026-06-26 copy consulted) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Ohio Wildlife Licensing System (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked : 23 September 2026.