OHIOFishing Regulations 2017-2018 Effective MARCH 1, 2017 to FEBRUARY 28, 2018
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE wildohio.gov contact 2017-2018 information CHANGES Statewide turtle regulations have changed. See page 11. Pymatuning Lake crappie regulations have changed. See page 10. Qualifying species and sizes for the Fish Ohio program have been updated. See page 18. wildohio.gov
OHIO FISHING REGULATIONS WILDLIFE HEADQUARTERS 1-800-WILDLIFE 2045 Morse Road (1-800-945-3543) Columbus, OH 43229‑6693 (614) 265‑6300 (Voice) 1-800-750-0750 (Ohio Relay-TTY) LAKE ERIE FISHING FORECAST 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) 1-888-HOOKFISH WILDLIFE DISTRICT ONE (1-888-466-5347) 1500 Dublin Road Columbus, OH 43215 TO REPORT POACHING (614) 644‑3925 1-800-POACHER WILDLIFE DISTRICT TWO (1-800-762-2437) 952 Lima Avenue Findlay, OH 45840 FOLLOW US (419) 424‑5000 Like us on Facebook WILDLIFE DISTRICT THREE facebook.com/ohiodivisionofwildlife 912 Portage Lakes Drive Akron, OH 44319 Like us on Facebook (330) 644‑2293 facebook.com/yourwildohioangler
WILDLIFE DISTRICT FOUR Follow us on Twitter 360 E. State Street twitter.com/OhioDivWildlife Athens, OH 45701 (740) 589-9930 Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/your_wild_ohio WILDLIFE DISTRICT FIVE 1076 Old Springfield Pike The ODNR Division of Wildlife’s mission is to conserve Xenia, OH 45385 and improve fish and wildlife resources and their (937) 372‑9261 habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. FAIRPORT FISHERIES UNIT The ODNR Division of Wildlife is funded by annual 1190 High Street hunting, trapping, and fishing license sales. It is the Fairport Harbor, OH 44077 authority on Ohio’s fish and wildlife resources, and (440) 352-4199 uses no state or federal taxpayer dollars to fulfill its mission. Additional funds come in the form of federal SANDUSKY FISHERIES & ENFORCEMENT UNITS aid reimbursement from an excise tax on hunting and 305 E. Shoreline Drive fishing equipment. Sandusky, OH 44870 Money generated allows the ODNR Division of Wild- (419) 625‑8062 life to promote conservation efforts of game and INLAND FISHERIES RESEARCH UNIT non-game animals. Examples of these efforts include 10517 Canal Road SE endangered and threatened species restoration, fish Hebron, OH 43025 hatcheries, hunter and angler education, and law en- (740) 928-7034 forcement. OHIO FISHING REGULATIONS OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE 2017-2018 OHIO FISHING REGULATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS LICENSE INFORMATION 4 STATEWIDE REGULATIONS 6 LAKE ERIE REGULATIONS 7 SITE-SPECIFIC WATERS 8 FROG & TURTLE REGULATIONS 11 OHIO RIVER REGULATIONS 12 BANKLINES, SETLINES, FLOATLINES, & TROTLINES 14 GENERAL INFORMATION 16 WILDLIFE OFFICER CONTACT INFORMATION 22
THIS SUMMARY is intended for the convenience of anglers and IS NOT INTENDED to cover all laws and regulations. THIS SUMMARY is not intended for use as evidence or as a defense in a criminal or civil case. Due to possible changes, this summary may not be an accurate reflec- tion of the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code, which contains the details of these regulations. Copies of the actual laws are available for review at each ODNR Division of Wildlife district office and online at wildohio.gov. MAY 6 & 7 ARE FREE FISHING DAYS On May 6 and 7, 2017, all Ohio residents are invited to experience Ohio’s fantastic public fishing opportunities without purchasing a license. All size and bag limits apply during these two days.
PUBLICATION 5084 (R1216) Total Printed: 650,000 Unit Cost: $0.08 Pub Date: 12/16
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY The Ohio Division of Wildlife offers equal opportunity The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service regardless of race, color, national origin, age, Diversity & Civil Rights Programs-External Programs, disability or sex (in education programs). If you 4040 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 130, Arlington, VA 22203 believe you have been discriminated against in any Ohio Department of Natural Resources, EEO Office program, activity or facility, you should contact: 2045 Morse Road, Bldg. D, Columbus, OH 43229-6695. license2017-2018 OHIOinformation FISHING REGULATIONS LICENSE FEES LICENSES VALID MARCH 1, 2017 to FEBRUARY 28, 2018 LICENSE TYPE COST Resident Fishing License $19.00 For persons age 16 through 65 who have resided in Ohio for the past six months.
Resident Reduced-Cost Senior Fishing License For persons age 66 and older, born on or after January 1, 1938 $10.00 who have resided in Ohio for the past six months.
One-Day Fishing License
LICENSE INFORMATION For residents and nonresidents, the purchase of a One-Day Fishing License may $11.00 be applied as credit toward the purchase of an annual fishing license (minus writing fee). Only one may be applied to the purchase of an annual license.
Lake Erie Charter One-Day Fishing License For residents and nonresidents, the license may be purchased in advance of a scheduled charter trip. To validate the license, anglers must sign it and fill in the $11.00 date at the beginning of the trip. If the trip is postponed, anglers may keep the unvalidated license until they are able to reschedule the trip.
Annual Nonresident Fishing License $40.00 Three‑Day Nonresident Tourist’s Fishing License $19.00 Duplicate License A fishing license that has been lost, stolen, or destroyed can be reissued from any $4.00 * license vendor or via the Internet. * Free reprints are available at wildohio.gov beginning March 1, 2017. ALL ABOVE COSTS INCLUDE A $1.00 WRITING FEE
LICENSE PURCHASING FISHING LICENSES ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL AUTHORIZED LICENSE SALES AGENTS AND AT WILDOHIO.GOV.
Licenses and permits purchased at retail Operator assisted short-term licenses are outlets or at home will be printed on plain available for purchase by calling 1-866- white paper. The paper can be trimmed and 703-1928 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. A folded down. It is highly recommended to $5.50 fee will be added to the cost of the protect your licenses from the elements. license.
Licenses purchased using a mobile de- An Ohio resident is a person who has re- vice will be emailed to the customer upon sided in the state of Ohio for the past six completion of the transaction. Licenses consecutive months. All others are consid- are not required to be printed as long as ered nonresidents and must purchase a the image of the license can be displayed nonresident license. on a mobile device and presented upon request. The Lake Erie Charter One-Day Fishing License is not available for pur- chase from a mobile device and is not valid for use unless printed. 4 LICENSE INFORMATION LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FREE LICENSES A fishing license is required to take fish, Ohio residents born on or before Decem- frogs, and turtles from Ohio waters. ber 31, 1937 can obtain a free license at any license outlet, or online at wildohio.gov. Persons fishing in privately owned ponds, lakes, or reservoirs to and from which fish The following Ohio residents are also eli- do not migrate are not required to have a gible for a free license, but must submit license to take fish, but must have one to a formal application (Form DNR 9032), take frogs or turtles. which is available by calling 1-800-WILD- LIFE (1-800-945-3543): Persons fishing in privately owned ponds, lakes, or reservoirs that are open to pub- Persons who are mobility impaired lic fishing through an agreement or lease and require the assistance of another with the ODNR Division of Wildlife are re- person to cast and retrieve; quired to have a fishing license. Holders of veteran license plates Persons fishing must have their license in displaying the international their possession while fishing and must show wheelchair symbol; the license to anyone on request. Licenses Certain veterans who are can be displayed using a mobile device. permanently disabled; Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on ac- Residents of state and county tive duty stationed in Ohio, but not on institutions; leave or furlough are required to purchase a resident license. Former prisoners of war.
LICENSE EXEMPTIONS SOCIAL SECURITY A FISHING LICENSE IS NOT REQUIRED NUMBER REQUIREMENT OF PERSONS WHO ARE: Any customer who applies for a license is re- Less than 16 years of age; quired to provide their Social Security Num- ber (SSN). Federal Statute 42 requires the SSN Giving assistance to an angler who has of any individual to whom the state issues a been issued the free mobility impaired recreational hunting or fishing license. Ap- or blind fishing license, provided the two plicants who do not have an active SSN must persons together are using only one line; affirm their status at the time of application. Fishing in a private pond; Applicants must also declare their residency and provide their full name, date of birth, Fishing on land and water which they or their parents own, except where the land gender, address, height, weight, hair color, is in or borders on state parks or state- and eye color. Once provided and recorded owned lakes; in the licensing system, applicants will only be required to update their information on Fishing on land and water where they or file if it changes. their parents are tenants on which they reside, and from which they derive the majority of their income from agricultural production on that land (except state- owned lakes);
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on ac- tive duty while on leave or furlough;
On May 6 and 7, 2017, all Ohio residents may fish without a license as part of Free Fishing Days. 5 statewide2017-2018 OHIO FISHINGregulations REGULATIONS These regulations apply to all public waters in Ohio where site-specific regulations are not imple- mented. Exceptions to these regulations include Lake Erie and its tributaries (page 7), locations listed in the Site-Specific Waters (page 8), Pymatuning Lake (page 10), and the Ohio River (page 12).
SPECIES DAILY LIMIT MIN. SIZE Blue & Flathead Catfish (under 35 inches) No limit None Blue & Flathead Catfish (35 inches or larger) 1 of each (statewide) 35 inches 6 (public lakes under 700 acres) Channel Catfish (under 28 inches) None No limit (all other public waters) Channel Catfish (28 inches or larger) 1 (statewide) 28 inches Lake Sturgeon Possession is prohibited None
STATEWIDE REGULATIONS STATEWIDE (The lake sturgeon is an endangered species in Ohio and must be returned unharmed to the water immediately if caught.) Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass 5 (singly or in combination) 12 inches Muskellunge 1 None No more than 4 Striped, Hybrid-Striped, & White Bass 30 over 15 inches Trout (all species) 5 (singly or in combination) None Walleye, Sauger, & Saugeye 6 (singly or in combination) None Yellow Perch 30 None All other fish No limit None
6 2017-2018 OHIO FISHING REGULATIONS lake erie regulations LAKE ERIE REGULATIONS Regulations apply to Lake Erie proper and areas immediately upstream in creeks, rivers, and tributaries. The following regulations for walleye (and sauger and saugeye), yellow perch, black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted), and white bass apply to the waters of Lake Erie, its embayments including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, and West Har- bor, and from where Lake Erie tributaries enter the lake upstream to the following end points:
Arcola, Wheeler, Cowles, and Indian Rocky River: Detroit Road bridge; creeks: U.S. Route 20 bridges; Sandusky River: Ballville Dam; Ashtabula River: E. 24th Street bridge.; Maumee River: First dam upstream (Grand Rapids, Ohio); Black River: State Route 611 bridge; Vermilion River: State Route 2 bridge; Conneaut Creek: Main Street bridge (downtown to Conneaut); Grand River: State Route 535 bridge; Euclid Creek and Chagrin River: State Cuyahoga River: Harvard Road bridge. Route 283 bridges;
WALLEYE AND YELLOW PERCH MAY CHANGE BEGINNING MAY 1, 2017 Updated limits will be announced through a news release, posted at wildohio.gov, and a publication with updated limits for walleye and yellow perch will be available at wildlife district offices and license outlets beginning in April.
All statewide regulations apply to Ohio waters of Lake Erie EXCEPT for those listed below: SPECIES DATES DAILY LIMIT MIN. SIZE March 1 - April 30, 2017 5 (singly or in combination) 14 inches Largemouth, Smallmouth, May 1 - June 23, 2017 Possession is prohibited None & Spotted Bass June 24, 2017 - Feb. 28, 2018 5 (singly or in combination) 14 inches
Jan. 1 - Feb. 28, 2017 6 (singly or in combination) 15 inches Walleye, Saugeye, March 1 - April 30, 2017 4 (singly or in combination) 15 inches & Sauger May 1, 2017 - Feb. 28, 2018 To be announced 15 inches
White Bass Open year-round None None
March 1 - April 30, 2017 30 (West, Central, & East Zones) None Yellow Perch May 1, 2017 - Feb. 28, 2018 To be announced None
LAKE ERIE REGULATIONS FOR TROUT AND SALMON Lake Erie proper and the entire length of Lake Erie creeks, rivers, and tributaries. SPECIES DATES DAILY LIMIT MIN. SIZE May 16 - Aug. 31, 2017 5 (singly or in combination) 12 inches Trout & Salmon Sept. 1, 2017 - May 15, 2018 2 (singly or in combination) 12 inches EXCEPTION TO ABOVE REGULATIONS For the waters of Cold Creek upstream of State Route 2 (Erie County). This regulation no longer applies to Beaver Creek in Seneca County. SPECIES DAILY LIMIT MIN. SIZE Trout & Salmon 5 (singly or in combination) None 7 2017-2018 OHIO FISHING REGULATIONS site-specific waters INLAND LAKES, RESERVOIRS, RIVERS, AND STREAMS These regulations apply to the waters listed under the LOCATION column.
SPECIES LOCATION DAILY LIMIT MIN. SIZE
• Chagrin River and its tributaries (Geauga County) Brook Trout Possession is prohibited • Rocky River and its tributaries (Medina County)
Reservoirs: Acton • Alum Creek • Berlin • Buckeye • Caesar Creek • C. J. Brown • Clear Fork • Clendening • Deer Creek (Fayette and Pickaway counties) • Delaware (including the SITE-SPECIFIC WATERS Olentangy River upstream to the Waldo dam, and Whetstone Creek upstream to State Route 229) • Dillon • East Fork • Ferguson • Grand Lake St. Marys • Griggs • Hargus • Highlandtown • Hoover • Indian • Kiser • Knox • Loramie • Madison • Mahoning River, from the dam at 30 9 inches Lake Milton to the Mahoning-Trumbull County Crappie line, and between Berlin Lake and Lake Milton (Mahoning and Portage counties) • Metzger • Lake Milton • Mosquito • Nimisila • O’Shaughnessy • Paint Creek • Piedmont • Pleasant Hill • Portage Lakes: East, North, Turkeyfoot, and West • Rocky Fork • Rush Creek • Salt Fork • Seneca • Springfield (Summit County) • Tappan • Veterans Memorial • West Branch Lakes • Killdeer Plains • Oxbow 10 None • St. Joseph River Wildlife Area lakes
Largemouth • La Su An • Resthaven Pond No. 8 Special limits are posted Bass
• Knox 5 18 inches • Adams • Blue Rock • Caldwell • Cowan • Dale Walborn • Greenfield • Ohio-Erie Canal • Hancock County Wetlands • Pine • Ross 5 15 inches • Rush Creek • Rush Run • Seneca • Wellington Reservoir South • Zepernick Lakes • Acton • Findley • Hargus • Highlandtown 2 fish less than 15 Largemouth, • New Lyme • Paint Creek • Salt Fork 4 fish split inches, and 2 fish daily limit greater than or Smallmouth, • Lake Snowden • Silver Creek equal to 15 inches & Spotted • Upper Sandusky No. 2 Bass All American Electric Power Company waters* • Belmont • Guilford • Killdeer Reservoir and 2 fish less than 14 3 fish split inches, and 1 fish Killdeer Plains ponds No. 30 and No. 33 • Kiser daily limit greater than or • Long • Oxbow • Spencer • St. Joseph Wildlife equal to 20 inches Area • Wingfoot • Tycoon • Wolf Run • Burr Oak • Dow • Fox • Hammertown (Jackson None may be City Reservoir) • Lake Rupert (Wellston City 5 taken between Reservoir) • Slope Creek (Barnesville No. 3) 12 & 15 inches • Turkey Creek Includes all AEP ReCreation Lands and Conesville Coal Lands. Avondale is closed to access. 8 SITE-SPECIFIC WATERS
SPECIES LOCATION DAILY LIMIT MIN. SIZE
• Killdeer Plains • Oxbow 10 None • St. Joseph River Wildlife Area lakes Sunfish (all species) 20 All American Electric Power Company waters* (singly or in None combination)
• Mad River and its tributaries • Clear Fork River and its tributaries • Clear Creek from the first Trout Fairfield County Road 69 bridge (east of the 2 12 inches (all species) junction of County Roads 26 and 69) to U.S. Route 33 bridge in Hocking County
• Acton • Alum Creek • Atwood • Berlin • Buckeye • C.J. Brown • Caesar Creek • Ferguson • Findlay No. 1 & No. 2 • Lake Milton Walleye, including the Mahoning River connecting Saugeye, 6 15 inches Berlin Lake and Lake Milton • Indian & Sauger • Lake Snowden • Metzger • Piedmont • Pleasant Hill • Rocky Fork • Seneca • Tappan • West Branch Lakes Includes all AEP ReCreation Lands and Conesville Coal Lands. Avondale is closed to access.
9 2017-2018 OHIO FISHING REGULATIONS site-specific waters MAUMEE, PORTAGE, MAHONING, & SANDUSKY RIVERS The following regulations are in effect from March 1 to April 30, 2017.
No fishing with a line with more Fishing is allowed only from sunrise to than a single hook. sunset in the following areas: The line may not have a hook larger than ½ The Maumee River from the Ohio Turnpike inch from shank to point, or lure having more bridge to the Old Waterville interurban than a single hook larger than ½ inch from bridge at the end of Forst Road in Wood shank to point. Double and treble hooks are County, and from the State Route 295 bridge prohibited. These regulations apply to the to the Grand Rapids Providence dam;
SITE-SPECIFIC WATERS following areas: The Sandusky River from where the Toledo The Maumee River from the Grand Rapids Edison power line crosses the river at the Providence dam to a line in the Maumee southeast corner of Rodger Young Park in Bay from Little Cedar Point to Turtle Island; Fremont to the northern tip of Brady’s Is- land; The Sandusky River from where the Toledo Edison power line crosses the river at the The Portage River from State Route 19 to southeast corner of Rodger Young Park in the dam at Elmore; Fremont to a line running ¼ mile east of The Mahoning River from the dam at Ber- and parallel to the full length of the Norfolk lin Reservoir to Lake Milton. Southern railroad bridge in Sandusky Bay;
The Portage River from State Route 19 to Fishing is prohibited: the dam at Elmore; In the Sandusky River from the Ballville Dam to where the Toledo Edison power The Mahoning River from the dam at Ber- line crosses the river at the southeast cor- lin Reservoir to Lake Milton. ner of Rodger Young Park in Fremont.
PYMATUNING LAKE REGULATIONS OHIO – PENNSYLVANIA Either an Ohio or Pennsylvania fishing license may be used when fishing from a boat; however, a Pennsylvania fishing license is required to take fish, frogs, or turtles from the shore of the Pennsylvania side or from any island. Fish cannot be filleted before the angler has completed fishing. Fish may be taken only by angling, except carp and suckers may be taken with long- bow and arrow, or spears. Special regulations apply to frogs, turtles, tadpoles, minnows, and ice fishing — see the Pennsylvania regulations for specific information. Pymatuning Lake anglers fishing in eitherOhio or Pennsylvania waters may not use more than three fishing lines, whether fastened to a pole, a rod and reel, or hand-held. Anglers may use up to three hooks on each line.
SPECIES DAILY LIMIT MIN. SIZE Crappie 20 9 inches Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass 5 (singly or in combination) 12 inches Muskellunge 2 30 inches Walleye 6 15 inches All other fish No Limit None 10 2017-2018 OHIO FISHING REGULATIONS frog & turtle regulations FROG & REGULATIONSTURTLE Reptiles and amphibians may not be taken by shooting, except green frogs and bullfrogs which may be taken with archery equipment. None can be taken by the use of a foothold or bodygripping trap.
SPECIES DAILY LIMIT MIN. SIZE Bullfrog & Green Frog 15 (singly or in combination) None Snapping Turtle & Softshell Turtle None 11 inches
FROG SEASON TURTLE SEASON Frog season is open from 6 p.m. the second Turtle season is open July 1, 2017 to Decem- Friday in June (June 9) to April 30, 2018. Only ber 31, 2017. Only snapping and softshell bullfrogs and green frogs may be taken. No turtles may be legally taken. Snapping turtles more than 15 (singly or in combination) may and softshell turtles must have a straight- be taken or possessed in any one day. line carapace length of 11 inches or greater to be taken, and there is no daily limit on the Bullfrogs and green frogs number that may be taken. A turtle trap with may be taken by any method except: mesh less than 4 inches square must have an By shooting, except with archery equipment; opening at least 6 inches in diameter leading from it. Wings and leads are unlawful. The A foothold or bodygripping trap; trap must be marked with the name and ad- Chemicals; dress of the owner or user or customer iden- Deleterious or stupefying substances; tidication number. All traps must be checked once every 24 hours. Smoke; Explosives. Snapping turtles and softshell turtles may be taken by any method except:
By shooting; Turtle traps having mesh measuring less than 4 inches on a side, unless such traps are provided with an escape ring of at least 6 inches in diameter leading out of the trap and held open at all time;
Turtle traps placed in water having wings or leads;
A foothold or bodygripping trap; Chemicals; Deleterious or stupefying substances; Smoke; Explosives.
HOW TO MEASURE A STRAIGHT-LINE CARAPACE LENGTH
11 inches
11 ohio2017-2018 river OHIO FISHING regulations REGULATIONS The following Ohio River fishing regulations are the result of agreements between the fish and wildlife agencies of Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Some regulations differ between the Ohio–Kentucky border (Western Unit) and the Ohio–West Virginia border (Eastern Unit). Anglers must abide by regulations in each state’s fishing digest for information not specified below.
It is Illegal to snag fish in the Ohio waters of the Ohio River for any species during any time of the year.
OHIO RIVER AGREEMENT REGULATIONS WESTERN UNIT • OHIO – KENTUCKY Lawrence County west of South Point, and Scioto, Adams, Brown, Clermont, and Hamilton counties. Ohio and Kentucky will honor the other state’s fishing licenses along their common borders on the main stem and from the banks of the Ohio River, excluding OHIO RIVER REGULATIONS embayments and tributaries.
UNIFIED REGULATIONS The following are the ONLY unified regulations in this agreement and must be followed when fishing within the Western Unit. SPECIES DAILY LIMIT MIN. SIZE Black & White Crappie 30 None Muskellunge 2 30 inches Striped, Hybrid-Striped, & White Bass 30 (no more than 4 over 15 inches) None Walleye, Sauger, & Saugeye 10 (singly or in combination) None
OHIO REGULATIONS These Ohio regulations apply only to boat anglers when fishing in Ohio waters, shoreline anglers when fishing on the Ohio shoreline, and all anglers in Ohio embayments and tributaries within the Western Unit. SPECIES DAILY LIMIT MIN. SIZE Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass 6 (singly or in combination) 12 inches
KENTUCKY REGULATIONS Kentucky regulations apply to boat anglers fishing below the 1792 low water mark, identified at wildohio.gov.
BECOME A WILDLIFE OFFICER Are you interested in a career in law enforcement, wildlife conservation, and public ser- vice? The ODNR Division of Wildlife is always looking for exceptional men and women to join our team. To learn more about this opportunity and process, contact the ODNR Division of Wild- life’s Law Enforcement Section at 614-265-6314. You can view information about wild- life law enforcement and other division career opportunities at wildohio.gov. 12 OHIO RIVER REGULATIONS
13
Brooke
Hancock
Ohio Wetzel
None None None Marshall 12 inches 30 inches LEGEND
MIN. SIZE MIN. MIN. SIZE MIN. Tyler Ohio counties
Kentucky counties Kentucky Pleasants West Virginia Virginia counties West Unit. Ohio River Eastern Unit Eastern Ohio River
Ohio River Western Unit Western Ohio River Wood
Jackson Eastern
2
Mason Cabell
DAILY LIMIT DAILY DAILY LIMIT DAILY Wayne 6 (singly or in combination)
30 (singly or in combination) 10 (singly or in combination)
Boyd Lawrence
30 (no more than 4 over 15 inches) than 4 over 30 (no more
Greenup Lewis apply only to shore anglers when fishing on the Ohio shore apply only to OHIO REGULATIONS OHIO REGULATIONS
UNIFIED REGULATIONS UNIFIED REGULATIONS
Mason Bracken
and must be followed when fishing within the when fishing and must be followed
SPECIES SPECIES Campbell
in this agreement in this agreement unified regulations the ONLY are following The Kenton Pendleton OHIO RIVER AGREEMENT REGULATIONS AGREEMENT RIVER OHIO EASTERN UNIT • OHIO – WEST VIRGINIA WEST – OHIO • UNIT EASTERN embayments and tributaries Unit. within the Eastern embayments
WEST VIRGINIA REGULATIONS Boone Ohio regulations Ohio regulations These shoreline, and boat and shore anglers fishing West Virginia Virginia West anglers fishing and shore and boat shoreline, stem of the Ohio River, shore anglers fishing the West Virginia Virginia West anglers fishing the shore of the Ohio River, stem regulations apply to boat anglers fishing the main boat apply to regulations Virginia West shoreline and all anglers in Ohio embayments and tributaries Unit. within the Eastern all anglers in Ohio embayments and shoreline Muskellunge Bass White & Hybrid-Striped, Striped, Crappie White Black & & Saugeye Sauger, Walleye, Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass Smallmouth, & Spotted Largemouth, applies to West Virginia and Ohio residents only. and Ohio residents Virginia West applies to Boundaries for areas not listed in this publication extend to the first riffle. This agreement agreement This the first riffle. extend to this publication in not listed areas Boundaries for fishing/PDFFiles/ohio_river_hunt_fish.pdf), (1-800-945-3543). call 1-800-WILDLIFE or listed in Publication 404, Waterfowl Hunting and Fishing on the Ohio River (wvdnr.gov/ on and Fishing Hunting Waterfowl 404, in Publication listed River, including its banks and embayments and tributaries to the landmark location tributarieslandmarkand the location to embayments and banks its including River, other state’s fishing licenses along their common borders on the main stem of the Ohio main stem on the borders along their common fishing licenses other state’s Belmont, Jefferson, and Columbiana counties. West Virginia and Ohio will honor the and Ohio Virginia West counties. and Columbiana Jefferson, Belmont, Lawrence County east of South Point, and Gallia, Meigs, Athens, Washington, Monroe, Monroe, Washington, Gallia, and Athens, Meigs, Southof east Point, County Lawrence 2017-2018 OHIO FISHING REGULATIONS Banklines, Setlines, Floatlines, and Trotlines
Mosquito Lake north of the causeway and south of a line of buoys designating the waterfowl refuge;
Charles Mill Lake north of State Route 430;
Clendening Lake east of State Route 799;
Seneca Lake south of State Route 147;
Tappan Lake above the gas line causeway and State Route 646;
Atwood Lake north and east of State Route
FISHING LINE REGULATIONS 542 north at Dellroy; Piedmont Lake in Sections 11 and 12 of BANKLINES OR SETLINES Kirkwood Township; A bankline or setline is a fishing line attached to the bank. Banklines or setlines may be Wills Creek Lake, except in the area directly used to catch turtles and fish. The name and in front of the Muskingum Watershed address or customer identification number Conservancy District boat landing; of the user must be attached to each line. All public waters, except where prohibited The maximum is 50 lines, each having a sin- by the owner in authority. gle hook (not a treble hook). The lines must be attached to the shore above water, but not to a boat, dam, dock, pier, pole, rod, or wall. No more than six banklines or setlines may be used in Ohio’s public waters less than 700 surface acres in size. All lines must be checked once every 24 hours. All lines must be removed after completion of use.
FLOATLINES A floatline is a fishing line suspended in the water under a float. Floats cannot be made of glass or other shatterable material. Floats must bear the name and address or customer identification number of the user. Floats must be freely adrift and be attended by the user at all times. A floatline can only have one single hook (not a treble hook). It is unlawful to set, use, or maintain more than six floatlines in all public waters of the state of Ohio less than 700 surface acres in size. Floatline or jug fishing is permitted in: All streams;
Sandusky Bay west of the Conrail Railroad bridge;
Berlin Lake south and west of State Route 225; 14 TROTLINES FISHING LINE REGULATIONS A trotline is a fishing line having suspended Charles Mill Lake north of State Route 430; from it, at frequent intervals, vertical lines with baited hooks attached. Trotlines must Clendening Lake east of State Route 799; be marked with the name and address or Seneca Lake south of State Route 147; customer identification number of the user. Tappan Lake above the gas line causeway Trotlines must be anchored. A trotline can- and State Route 646; not be made of wire or cable. A trotline can- not be capable of being removed from the Atwood Lake north and east of State Route water by pulling on the shore end of the line. 542 north at Dellroy;
No more than three trotlines are permitted in Piedmont Lake in sections 11 and 12 of any one body of water in the Inland Fishing Kirkwood Township; District. Not more than 50 hooks per trotline Wills Creek Lake, except in the area directly are permitted. Trotlines may not be used with- in front of the Muskingum Watershed Con- in 1,000 feet downstream of any dam. All trot- servancy District boat landing; lines must be checked once every 24 hours. Berlin Lake south and west of State Route 225; A special trotline license is required in the Lake Erie Fishing District. This license may be The inland part of Sandusky Bay commonly obtained at the Sandusky Fisheries Research called Mud Creek Bay; Unit, 305 East Shoreline Drive, Sandusky, The area of Grand Lake St. Marys bounded Ohio 44870 (Phone: 419-625-8062). on the west by Prairie Creek, on the east Trotlines may be used only in: by Big Chickasaw Creek, and on the north by a line of buoys extending east to west Streams; between Big Chickasaw and Prairie creeks. Mosquito Lake north of the causeway and Trotlines may not be set in channels or south of a line of buoys designating the across the mouths of channels or streams wildlife refuge; in Grand Lake St. Marys.
15 general2017-2018 OHIO information FISHING REGULATIONS
It is unlawful to buy or sell any fish tak- It is unlawful to transport and introduce en by sport fishing, including angling, any aquatic species (fish, invertebrate, bankline, setline, floatline, and trotline, plant) from one body of water to another. from any water area in the state. Fillets must be kept whole until an angler It is unlawful for the public to tag and re- reaches their permanent residence, or un- lease fish into any public water area. til the fish are prepared for immediate con- sumption. This does not apply to anglers It is unlawful for any person to possess a with a receipt from a fish cleaning house fish in any form or condition other than or charter captain which states the date, whole while on or when unloading the number, and type of fish possessed. Fish fish from a boat, while wading, or while must be transported whole or as a com- fishing from shore on any waters in this GENERAL INFORMATION plete fillet while returning from the Lake state where a fishing license is required. Erie islands on a commercial ferry boat.
CLAMS, MUSSELS, & MUSSEL SHELLS ARCHERY ANGLERS Clams, mussels, or mussel shells may not be Archery anglers may use bows of any draw taken, possessed, or collected for any purpose. weight. A fishing license is required. Archery equipment may be used to take bullfrogs, ICE ANGLERS green frogs, and forage fish (see page 17). Ice anglers may use holes no larger than 12 inches in diameter. In Lake Erie, ice anglers BAIT may use holes no larger than 12 inches in It is unlawful for any person except licensed width. Ice anglers may not use more than six bait dealers to possess more than 100 cray- tip‑ups and two rods per person. All shelters fish, or in combination 500 crayfish, min- and tip‑ups must display the name and ad- nows, and other baitfish. A bait dealer’s per- dress or customer identification number of mit is required of persons buying or selling the owner or user. minnows, crayfish, and hellgrammites. This A tip-up means a device consisting of a hook permit may be obtained at wildohio.gov. and line attached to a spring or other device It is unlawful to release any baitfish or min- which is capable of raising a small flag or now into waters of the state from which it other signaling device when a fish is biting did not originate. or is hooked.
16 GENERAL INFORMATION
FISHING LINES Anglers may not use more than two fishing lines, whether fastened to a pole, a rod and reel, or hand-held. Anglers may use up to three hooks on each line, except as provided in the Ohio Administrative Code.
SNAGGING Snagging with a hook to pierce and hook a fish in a part of the body other than the inside of the mouth is illegal for all fish except forage fish. In Lake Erie, it is also illegal to snag freshwater drum. Snagging FORAGE FISH any species of fish is illegal from September Forage fish means freshwater drum (sheeps- 1 to April 30 in the Ashtabula River, Chagrin head), common carp, grass carp (in waters River, Grand River, Rocky River, Vermilion not stocked by the ODNR Division of Wildlife River, Arcola Creek, Conneaut Creek, Cowles for vegetation control, as indicated by signs), Creek, Euclid Creek, Indian Creek, Turkey bighead carp, silver carp, black carp, quill- Creek, and Wheeler Creek. It is illegal to back, suckers, bowfin, gar, buffalo, gizzard snag any species of fish during any time shad, and goldfish. These species may be of the year in the Ohio River. Snagging is taken by any method except by means of ex- prohibited within 1,000 feet downstream of plosives, poisons, firearms, electricity, chemi- any dam on the Muskingum River. Snagging cals, nets (except cast nets), seines, traps, or is prohibited within 1,000 feet downstream by snagging within 1,000 feet downstream of a dam where signs are posted. Hooks of a dam. Gizzard shad and rainbow smelt used for snagging may not be larger than 5/8 may be taken with a minnow seine, minnow inch from shank to point. dip net, or hand landing net.
MINNOW OR BAITFISH TRAPS CAST NETS It is illegal for anglers to possess or use a min- Forage fish and minnows may be taken with now or baitfish trap larger than 24 inches in cast nets. It is unlawful to use a cast net with length and 12 inches in width. Additionally, a square mesh less than ¼ inch or larger than possessing or using a minnow or baitfish 1 inch on a side, or with a diameter greater trap with an opening larger than 1 inch is il- than 10 feet. It is illegal to use a cast net with- legal. A tag must be attached to the trap(s) in a distance of 1,000 feet downstream from with the owner’s name and address, or the any dam posted with ODNR Division of Wild- customer identification number. life signs indicating cast net use is prohibited.
MINNOW SEINES AND DIP NETS S quare mesh must not be larger than ½ inch on a side. S eine and net size limits and places where they may be used are as follows: WHERE AND WHEN FISHING DISTRICT MAXIMUM SIZE THEY MAY BE USED
M innow Seine: I nland 4 feet x 8 feet Streams only, 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. M innow Seine: Lake Erie * None No Limit M innow Dip Net: I nland 4 feet, each side All public fishing waters M innow Dip Net: Lake Erie * 6 feet, each side All public fishing waters *I ncluding East and West harbors in Ottawa Count y, and waters where fishing with nets is licensed by law. 17 18 GENERAL INFORMATION ferent species categories inthesameyear. Angler pinfor qualifyingentriesinfour dif eachyear,their firstentry andaMaster Anglers willreceive aFish Ohiopinfor cepted at fishohio.gov Applications for theFish Ohiopinare ac inland lakes orreservoirs;theOhioRiver; Largemouth Bass Hybrid-Striped Bass Flathead Catfish Crappie Channel Catfish Carp Bullhead Bowfin Brown Trout Blue Catfish Yellow Perch White Bass Walleye Smallmouth Bass Freshwater Drum private ponds;inlandrivers orstreams. Qualifying sizesQualifying below applyto SPECIES SPECIES QUALIFYING FISHOHIOSIZES fish ohioaward fish Qualifying sizesQualifying below applyto allOhiowaters. . 2017-2018 REGULATIONS OHIOFISHING MIN. SIZE MIN. SIZE 20 inches 21 inches 35 inches 13 inches 26 inches 28 inches 14 inches 23 inches 20 inches 35 inches 12 inches 14 inches 25 inches 18 inches 20 inches - - Sunfish Spotted Bass Sucker Saugeye Sauger Bass Rock TroutRainbow Pike Northern Muskellunge Longnose Gar Yellow Perch White Bass Walleye Smallmouth Bass Freshwater Drum to outdoorwritersofohio.orgto Writers ofOhio. For more information, go frozen for verification by theOutdoor Possible state-record fish must be kept isDec. 31. application entry not from pay lakes. for Deadline online Fish mustbe taken by legal angling and SPECIES SPECIES Qualifying sizesQualifying below and itstributaries. apply to Lake Erie MIN. SIZE MIN. SIZE 15 inches 20 inches 21 inches 16 inches 28 inches 32 inches 40 inches 34 inches 13 inches 15 inches 28 inches 20 inches 24 inches 9 inches 9 inches . GENERAL INFORMATION 19 - 2017-2018 OHIO FISHING REGULATIONS FISHING OHIO REGULATIONS 2017-2018 COMPRESSED TO DETERMINE TOTAL LENGTH. TOTAL DETERMINE TO COMPRESSED MEASURE THE FISH WITH MOUTH CLOSED AND TAIL TAIL AND CLOSED MOUTH WITH FISH THE MEASURE The measurement of the length of a fish is taken in a straight straight a in taken a fish is length of of the measurement The mouth closed to of the snout with the the utmost end line from com is fin when the tail fin end of the caudal (tail) the utmost or overlap. lobes touch the upper and lower so that pressed how measure to a fish 20 GENERAL INFORMATION cated nearthedorsalfin. are beingoffered for reports. Tags willbelo rewards onspecially-marked tags Monetary on thetagandwhere you caught thefish. at wildohio.gov. theuniquenumber Report toll-free phonenumberprinted onthetagor any taggedcatfishreport orsaugerusingthe that provides movement information. Please catfish also contain aninternal transmitter ofthetaggedbluecatfish and flatheadSome movement, catch rates, rates. and harvest Riverfish, andsaugerintheOhio to research tagging studiesonbluecatfish, flathead cat The ODNRDivisionof Wildlife isconducting transmitter at room temperature. transmitter with water. and rinse Store the internal transmitter, please remove the fish orflathead catfish that contains an youIf catch andkeepa tagged blue cat tagged fish,pleasedonot remove thetag. youIf catch andrelease oneofthese OHIO RIVER ANGLERS! OHIO fish tagging programs fish 2017-2018 REGULATIONS OHIOFISHING - - - thefish. catch andkeepataggedwalleye. nal tagandtransmitter intheevent that you ward isoffered for information onthe exter tags andoneinternal transmitter. A$100re walleyeLake Erie willhave upto two external atis beingconducted LakeErie. Eachtagged ment andbetter managethefishery, astudy To increaseonwalleye ourknowledge move at wildohio.gov. You ataggedfish canalsoreport ter ortag, orcall(419)625-8062. Call the number printed on the transmit keep thefish. transmitter at room temperature. You may ternal tag, withwater. andrinse Store the Remove theinternal transmitter andex Record whenand where you caught LAKE ERIE ANGLERS! LAKE TAGGED WALLEYE,PLEASE: IF YOU CATCH AND KEEP A - - - - - GENERAL INFORMATION 21 nants. and sides. the liquid. discard a soup or chowder. - contami if any, few, frying removes Pan Discard the organs (do not eat). (do the organs Discard skin fillets or steaks. Remove from back, near the belly, fatty areas away Trim on a rack, or grill or poach and bake, Broil, to adding before poach or grill, bake, Broil, If deep-frying, oil after use. discard - contami to exposure can minimize Anglers steps. simple with a few nants - - 2017-2018 OHIO FISHING REGULATIONS FISHING OHIO REGULATIONS 2017-2018 fish for your health fish for your and fishes at epa.ohio.gov. and fishes of wild-caught fish in Ohio for specific waters waters of wild-caughtfor specific fish in Ohio lists current guidance on safe consumption consumption on safe guidance lists current per month of wild-caught fishes. The great The of wild-caughtper month fishes. Agency Protection Environmental Ohio The Ohio anglers typically eat two or fewer meals typicallyanglers Ohio fewer or two eat Lake Erie adviso Current fisheries operate. perch. yellow water body or type body of fish. water both sport where Lake Erie, and commercial of week meals per and two of walleye, week week,advisory unless a specific a for is listed come from in Ohio of fish eaten est amount one meal per eat to it is safe that ries indicate limiting fish consumption to one meal per to one meal consumption limiting fish Ohio Department Health recommends of protein, and can be part of a healthy diet. The The and can be part diet. protein, of a healthy Most high in Ohio sport in fat, low are fishes 2017-2018 OHIO FISHING REGULATIONS
state wildlife officers Adams Scott Cartwright Guernsey Roby Williams Morrow Tyler Eldred (937) 372-5639, ext. 5205 (740) 589-9984 (614) 902-4218 Allen Craig Barr Hamilton Ryan Schock Muskingum Jeffrey Berry (419) 429-8379 (937) 372-5639, ext. 5217 (740) 589-9991 Ashland Brennan Earick Hancock Vacant Noble Brad St. Clair (330) 245-3044 (419) 429-8384 (740) 589-9992 Ashtabula Jason Warren Hardin Ryan Kennedy Ottawa Reid Van Cleve (330) 245-3036 (419) 429-8385 (419) 429-8389 Athens Allen Patton Harrison Nick Turner Paulding Vacant (740) 589-9980 (330) 245-3049 (419) 429-8390 Auglaize Mark Schemmel Henry Troy Reimund Perry Eric Lane (937) 372-5639, ext. 5218 (419) 429-8386 (740) 589-9993 Belmont Brian Baker Highland Jim Carnes Pickaway Josh Elster (740) 589-9981 (937) 372-5639, ext. 5214 (614) 902-4219 Brown Eric Lamb Hocking Chris Dodge Pike Matt Van Cleve
STATE WILDLIFE OFFICERS STATE (937) 372-5639, ext. 5220 (740) 589-9985 (740) 589-9994 Butler Aaron Ireland Holmes Jeremy Carter Portage Barry Hennig (937) 372-5639, ext. 5207 (330) 245-3045 (330) 245-3040 Carroll Kyle Queer Huron Nathan Kaufmann Preble Brad Turner (330) 245-3048 (419) 429-8387 (937) 372-5639, ext. 5219 Champaign Jeffrey Tipton Jackson Ted Witham Putnam Jason Porinchok (614) 902-4209 (740) 589-9986 (419) 429-8391 Clark Byron Rice Jefferson Craig Porter Richland Gregory Wasilewski (937) 372-5639, ext. 5212 (330) 245-3050 (419) 429-8392 Clermont Gus Kiebel Knox Michael Budd Ross Bob Nelson (937) 372-5639, ext. 5209 (614) 902-4213 (740) 589-9995 Clinton Matt Roberts Lake Marino Pellegrini Sandusky Matthew Leibengood (937) 372-5639, ext. 5206 (330) 245-3034 (419) 429-8393 Columbiana Jesse Janosik Lawrence Darin Abbott Scioto Hollie Fluharty (330) 245-3039 (740) 589-9987 (740) 589-9996 Coshocton Jerrod Allison Licking Patrick Muldovan Seneca Austin Dickinson (740) 589-9982 (614) 902-4214 (419) 429-8394 Crawford Vacant Logan Adam Smith Shelby Tim Rourke (419) 429-8380 (937) 441-5224 (937) 372-5639, ext. 5213 Cuyahoga Vacant Lorain Randy White Stark Mark Basinger (330) 245-3033 (330) 245-3032 (330) 245-3041 Darke Jeff Wenning Lucas Mike Ohlrich Summit Daniel Shroyer (937) 372-5639, ext. 5208 (419) 429-8388 (330) 245-3042 DefianceMatthew Smith Madison Matt Teders Trumbull Marty Cisine (419) 429-8381 (614) 902-4216 (330) 245-3037 Delaware Maurice Irish Mahoning Tom Frank Tuscarawas Wade Dunlap (614) 902-4221 (330) 245-3038 (330) 245-3047 Erie Kelsey Brockman Marion Chad Grote Union Josh Shields (419) 429-8382 (614) 902-4217 (614) 902-4220 Fairfield Tony Zerkle Medina Eric Moore Van Wert Brad Buening (614) 902-4210 (330) 245-3043 (419) 429-8395 Fayette John Coffman Meigs Chris Gilkey Vinton Jared Abele (614) 902-4211 (740) 589-9988 (740) 589-9997 Franklin Brad Kiger Mercer Austin Levering Warren Jason Keller (614) 902-4212 (937) 372-5639, ext. 5210 (937) 372-5639, ext. 5216 Fulton Josh Zientek Miami Jasmine Grossnickle Washington Ryan Donnelly (419) 429-8383 (937) 372-5639, ext. 5215 (740) 589-9998 Gallia Roy Rucker Monroe Wes Feldner Wayne Aaron Brown (740) 589-9983 (740) 589-9989 (330) 245-3046 Geauga Scott Denamen Montgomery Trent Weaver Williams Anthony Lemle (330) 245-3035 (937) 372-5639, ext. 5211 (419) 429-8396 Greene Matthew Hunt Morgan Todd Stewart Wood Eric VonAlmen (937) 372-5639, ext. 5204 (740) 589-9990 (419) 429-8397 Wyandot Nathan West 22 (419) 429-8398