Waterbody · Ohio
Maumee River Fishing Regulations 2026
Maumee River fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are walleye, white bass, catfish. 63 current rules across 15 species from DNR.
Species pages for Maumee River
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Rules (63)
DNR regulates 63 rules across 15 species at this water.
All Species
The Maumee River From The State Route 295 Bridge To The Grand Rapids Providence DamOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Fishing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset. March 1 through April 30, 2025. March 1 through April 30, 2025. No hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point, or lure having more than a single hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point. Double and treble hooks are prohibited.
The Maumee River From The Grand Rapids Providence Dam To A Line In The Maumee Bay From Little Cedar Point To Turtle IslandOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Fishing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset. March 1 through April 30, 2025. March 1 through April 30, 2025. No hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point, or lure having more than a single hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point. Double and treble hooks are prohibited.
Maumee River From The Ohio Turnpike Bridge To The Old Waterville Interurban Bridge At The End Of Forst Road In Wood CountyOut of season
- Season opens
- Mar 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Regulations in effect from March 1 through April 30, 2025. The line may not have a hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point, or lure having more than a single hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point. Double and treble hooks are prohibited. Regulations in effect from March 1 through April 30, 2025.
Maumee River From The State Route 295 Bridge To The Grand Rapids Providence DamOut of season
- Season opens
- Mar 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Regulations in effect from March 1 through April 30, 2025. The line may not have a hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point, or lure having more than a single hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point. Double and treble hooks are prohibited. Regulations in effect from March 1 through April 30, 2025.
Maumee River From The Grand Rapids Providence Dam To A Line In The Maumee Bay From Little Cedar Point To Turtle IslandOut of season
- Season opens
- Mar 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Regulations in effect from March 1 through April 30, 2025. The line may not have a hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point, or lure having more than a single hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point. Double and treble hooks are prohibited. Regulations in effect from March 1 through April 30, 2025.
The Maumee River From The Ohio Turnpike Bridge To The Old Waterville Interurban Bridge At The End Of Forst Road In Wood CountyOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Fishing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset. March 1 through April 30, 2025. March 1 through April 30, 2025. No hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point, or lure having more than a single hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point. Double and treble hooks are prohibited.
Walleye
Maumee RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
All fish may be taken by hand except walleye
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End Points: Arcola, Wheeler, Cowles, And Indian Creeks : U.s. Route 20 Bridges; Ashtabula River: E. 24th Street Bridge; Black River: State Route 611 Bridge; Conneaut Creek: Main Street Bridge (Downtown To Conneaut); Euclid Creek And Chagrin River: State Route 283 Bridges; Rocky River: Detroit Road Bridge; Sandusky River: Waterworks Dam In Tiffin; Maumee River: First Dam Upstream (Grand Rapids, Ohio); Vermilion River: State Route 2 Bridge; Grand River: State Route 535 Bridge; Cuyahoga River: Harvard Road Bridge.In season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Feb 28
May 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026; to be announced late April
Lake Erie And Areas Immediately Upstream In Creeks, Rivers, And Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
singly or in combination, March 1 - April 30, 2025
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End Points
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
singly or in combination; March 1 - April 30, 2025
Ohio River On Its Embayments And Tributaries To The First Riffle Or Dam In The Western Unit
- Min size
- 14"
Sandusky RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
All fish may be taken by hand except walleye
Ohio statewide
- Daily bag
- 6 fish
- Min size
- 15"
singly or in combination with Sauger, & Saugeye
White Bass
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End Points: Arcola, Wheeler, Cowles, And Indian Creeks : U.s. Route 20 Bridges; Ashtabula River: E. 24th Street Bridge; Black River: State Route 611 Bridge; Conneaut Creek: Main Street Bridge (Downtown To Conneaut); Euclid Creek And Chagrin River: State Route 283 Bridges; Rocky River: Detroit Road Bridge; Sandusky River: Waterworks Dam In Tiffin; Maumee River: First Dam Upstream (Grand Rapids, Ohio); Vermilion River: State Route 2 Bridge; Grand River: State Route 535 Bridge; Cuyahoga River: Harvard Road Bridge.Open
- Status
- Permitted
No limit — None; Open year-round
Lake Erie And Areas Immediately Upstream In Creeks, Rivers, And TributariesOpen
- Status
- Open
Open year-round, No limit, None min size
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End PointsOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No limit — None; Open year-round
Ohio statewide
- Daily bag
- 30 fish
- Max size
- 15"
singly or in combination with Striped, & Hybrid-Striped Bass; No more than 4 over 15 inches No more than 4 over 15 inches
Sauger
Maumee RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
All fish may be taken by hand except sauger
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End Points: Arcola, Wheeler, Cowles, And Indian Creeks : U.s. Route 20 Bridges; Ashtabula River: E. 24th Street Bridge; Black River: State Route 611 Bridge; Conneaut Creek: Main Street Bridge (Downtown To Conneaut); Euclid Creek And Chagrin River: State Route 283 Bridges; Rocky River: Detroit Road Bridge; Sandusky River: Waterworks Dam In Tiffin; Maumee River: First Dam Upstream (Grand Rapids, Ohio); Vermilion River: State Route 2 Bridge; Grand River: State Route 535 Bridge; Cuyahoga River: Harvard Road Bridge.In season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Min size
- 15"
May 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026; to be announced late April May 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026
Largemouth Bass
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End Points: Arcola, Wheeler, Cowles, And Indian Creeks : U.s. Route 20 Bridges; Ashtabula River: E. 24th Street Bridge; Black River: State Route 611 Bridge; Conneaut Creek: Main Street Bridge (Downtown To Conneaut); Euclid Creek And Chagrin River: State Route 283 Bridges; Rocky River: Detroit Road Bridge; Sandusky River: Waterworks Dam In Tiffin; Maumee River: First Dam Upstream (Grand Rapids, Ohio); Vermilion River: State Route 2 Bridge; Grand River: State Route 535 Bridge; Cuyahoga River: Harvard Road Bridge.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jun 28
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Min size
- 14"
June 28, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026
Smallmouth Bass
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End Points: Arcola, Wheeler, Cowles, And Indian Creeks : U.s. Route 20 Bridges; Ashtabula River: E. 24th Street Bridge; Black River: State Route 611 Bridge; Conneaut Creek: Main Street Bridge (Downtown To Conneaut); Euclid Creek And Chagrin River: State Route 283 Bridges; Rocky River: Detroit Road Bridge; Sandusky River: Waterworks Dam In Tiffin; Maumee River: First Dam Upstream (Grand Rapids, Ohio); Vermilion River: State Route 2 Bridge; Grand River: State Route 535 Bridge; Cuyahoga River: Harvard Road Bridge.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jun 28
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Min size
- 14"
June 28, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026
Spotted Bass
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End Points: Arcola, Wheeler, Cowles, And Indian Creeks : U.s. Route 20 Bridges; Ashtabula River: E. 24th Street Bridge; Black River: State Route 611 Bridge; Conneaut Creek: Main Street Bridge (Downtown To Conneaut); Euclid Creek And Chagrin River: State Route 283 Bridges; Rocky River: Detroit Road Bridge; Sandusky River: Waterworks Dam In Tiffin; Maumee River: First Dam Upstream (Grand Rapids, Ohio); Vermilion River: State Route 2 Bridge; Grand River: State Route 535 Bridge; Cuyahoga River: Harvard Road Bridge.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jun 28
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Min size
- 14"
June 28, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026
Saugeye
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End Points: Arcola, Wheeler, Cowles, And Indian Creeks : U.s. Route 20 Bridges; Ashtabula River: E. 24th Street Bridge; Black River: State Route 611 Bridge; Conneaut Creek: Main Street Bridge (Downtown To Conneaut); Euclid Creek And Chagrin River: State Route 283 Bridges; Rocky River: Detroit Road Bridge; Sandusky River: Waterworks Dam In Tiffin; Maumee River: First Dam Upstream (Grand Rapids, Ohio); Vermilion River: State Route 2 Bridge; Grand River: State Route 535 Bridge; Cuyahoga River: Harvard Road Bridge.In season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Min size
- 15"
May 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026; to be announced late April May 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026
Channel Catfish
Ohio statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 28"
No limit — No limit 28 inches or larger
Blue Catfish
Ohio statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 35"
No limit — No limit 35 inches or larger
Flathead Catfish
Ohio statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 35"
No limit — No limit 35 inches or larger
Yellow Perch
Lake Erie And Its Embayments Including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, And West Harbor, And From Where Lake Erie Tributaries Enter The Lake Upstream To The Following End Points: Arcola, Wheeler, Cowles, And Indian Creeks : U.s. Route 20 Bridges; Ashtabula River: E. 24th Street Bridge; Black River: State Route 611 Bridge; Conneaut Creek: Main Street Bridge (Downtown To Conneaut); Euclid Creek And Chagrin River: State Route 283 Bridges; Rocky River: Detroit Road Bridge; Sandusky River: Waterworks Dam In Tiffin; Maumee River: First Dam Upstream (Grand Rapids, Ohio); Vermilion River: State Route 2 Bridge; Grand River: State Route 535 Bridge; Cuyahoga River: Harvard Road Bridge.In season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Feb 28
May 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026; to be announced late April
Plus 3 more species. See the Ohio pillar page for the full list.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Maumee River?
DNR regulates fishing on Maumee River.
What species can I target on Maumee River?
Maumee River is best known for walleye, white bass, catfish. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize DNR's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.