Waterbody · Ohio
Ohio River Fishing Regulations 2026
Ohio River fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are catfish, sauger, hybrid striped bass. 52 current rules across 16 species from DNR.
Species pages for Ohio River
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Rules (52)
DNR regulates 52 rules across 16 species at this water.
Sauger
Ohio River On Its Embayments And Tributaries To The First Riffle Or Dam In The Western Unit
- Min size
- 14"
Lake Erie And Areas Immediately Upstream In Creeks, Rivers, And Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
singly or in combination, March 1 - April 30, 2025 May 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026, daily limit to be announced late April
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
- Min size
- 15"
singly or in combination; March 1 - April 30, 2025 May 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026; daily limit to be announced late April
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
Maumee RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
All fish may be taken by hand except sauger
Sandusky RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
All fish may be taken by hand except sauger
Ohio statewide
- Daily bag
- 6 fish
- Min size
- 16"
singly or in combination with Walleye, & Saugeye
Muskellunge
Ohio River On Its Embayments And Tributaries To The First Riffle Or Dam In The Western Unit
- Daily bag
- 2
- Min size
- 30"
Ohio River On Its Embayments And Tributaries To The First Riffle Or Dam In The Eastern Unit
- Daily bag
- 2
- Min size
- 30"
& Spotted Bass Largemouth Smallmouth
Ohio River On Its Embayments And Tributaries To The First Riffle Or Dam In The Eastern Unit
- Daily bag
- 6
- Min size
- 12"
(singly or in combination)
Ohio River
- Daily bag
- 6 fish
- Min size
- 12"
Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass 6 (singly or in combination) MIN. SIZE 12 inches
Hybrid-Striped, & White Bass Striped
Ohio River
- Daily bag
- 30 fish
- Min size
- 15"
30 (no more than 4 over 15 inches) no more than 4 over 15 inches
Ohio River On Its Embayments And Tributaries To The First Riffle Or Dam In The Western Unit
- Daily bag
- 30
(no more than 4 over 15 inches)
Ohio River On Its Embayments And Tributaries To The First Riffle Or Dam In The Eastern Unit
- Daily bag
- 30
(no more than 4 over 15 inches)
& Saugeye Walleye Sauger
Ohio River
- Daily bag
- 6 fish
- Min size
- 14"
Walleye, Sauger, & Saugeye 6 (singly or in combination) Walleye, Sauger, & Saugeye 14 inches
Ohio River On Its Embayments And Tributaries To The First Riffle Or Dam In The Western Unit
- Daily bag
- 6
- Min size
- 14"
(singly or in combination)
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
All Species
Ohio RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Possession
- 3
It is illegal to snag fish in the Ohio waters of the Ohio River for any species during any time of the year. A maximum of three lines are permitted statewide, including the counties that comprise the Ohio River fishing units.; lines
Black & White Crappie
Ohio River On Its Embayments And Tributaries To The First Riffle Or Dam In The Western Unit
- Daily bag
- 30
(singly or in combination)
Ohio River
- Daily bag
- 30 fish
Black & White Crappie 30 (singly or in combination) None
Hybrid Striped Bass
Black Crappie
Ohio River On Its Embayments And Tributaries To The First Riffle Or Dam In The Western Unit
- Daily bag
- 30 fish
singly or in combination with White Crappie
Plus 4 more species. See the Ohio pillar page for the full list.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Ohio River?
DNR regulates fishing on Ohio River.
What species can I target on Ohio River?
Ohio River is best known for catfish, sauger, hybrid striped bass. 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.