MANSFIELD — Ohio’s public lakes and reservoirs are excellent places to fish for hybrid-striped bass, crappie, black bass, and catfish, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Summer is a great time to grab a fishing pole and head to the nearest body of water
Ohio has plentiful public fishing opportunities with Lake Erie, the Ohio River, thousands of inland lakes, reservoirs, and ponds, as well as miles of streams.
At $25 for a resident one-year license, fishing is an inexpensive outdoor recreational activity that is accessible for all.
Youth under the age of 16 can fish for free, and all Ohio residents can fish without purchasing a license during Free Fishing Days on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21. All size and daily limits apply during these two days.
The Division of Wildlife has numerous resources available to assist anglers, including lake maps, fishing tips by species, and fishing forecasts. Many of these resources are available right at your fingertips with the HuntFish OH mobile app.
Fishing regulations and an interactive fishing map can be accessed from any mobile device. For more information on fishing tips and forecasts, go to wildohio.gov. Be sure to check the current Ohio Fishing Regulations for details before casting a line.
There are several locations in central Ohio that are great places to catch a Fish Ohio! qualifying trophy. The Fish Ohio program celebrates amazing catches of 26 species of fish, and there are specific fish length requirements based on species to be considered a qualifying catch.
Those who reel in a qualifying catch receive a commemorative Fish Ohio pin for their first entry, and a Master Angler pin for catching four different qualifying species in the same year. This year, the pin features a channel catfish.
Follow the Division of Wildlife on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for instant news stories, outdoor recreation ideas, local wildlife information, and incredible wildlife images and videos. Visit the Wild Ohio Harvest page at wildohio.gov for information on getting started fishing, upcoming events, and delicious recipes.
Here are a few species in north central Ohio that anglers may want to pursue:
Clear Fork Reservoir
Clear Fork Reservoir (Ashland and Richland counties) – Clear Fork Reservoir is one of the best locations in the state for largemouth bass. Explore the shallow western end and target bass hiding among fallen trees and stumps.
In spring, cast along the eastern end near the dam for larger fish. Division of Wildlife sampling surveys consistently show an abundance of bass longer than 20 inches. The reservoir features a multi-lane concrete boat launch ramp as well as a full-service marina.
This is an unlimited horsepower lake with an 8 mph speed limit. The daily limit for bass is five, with a minimum length requirement of 12 inches.
Pleasant Hill Reservoir
Pleasant Hill Reservoir (Ashland and Richland counties) – Pleasant Hill Reservoir continues to be the best crappie producer in northwestern Ohio, with many crappie longer than the minimum length requirement of 9 inches. The daily limit is 30 crappie.
Fishing along the rocky ledge on the southern shore and small coves along the southern neck of the reservoir often leads to full coolers. Cast near trees or logs submerged in the water where crappie seek cover.
The northern end of the reservoir has abundant cover and is often popular in the summer. Pleasant Hill has a boat launch with courtesy docks as well as an accessible fishing dock.
This lake is an unlimited horsepower lake that attracts many boating enthusiasts. Try fishing in the upper end of the reservoir when it gets crowded elsewhere.
Alum Creek Lake
Alum Creek Lake (Delaware County) – The black bass population at Alum Creek Lake continues to impress. Fisheries surveys show that fish are plentiful and large. This has translated into impressive tournament bag weights that push 20 pounds for five fish.
Largemouth bass can be caught around the abundant weed beds in 3 to 10 feet of water, mostly in the middle and lower basins of the reservoir. Smallmouth bass are often targeted near offshore points and rocky areas.
Alum Creek Lake’s daily limit is five bass, with a minimum length requirement of 12 inches. With 3,330 acres of water, five boat ramps, a full-service marina, and easy access and amenities from the surrounding state park, Alum Creek is perfectly suited to deliver a fantastic fishing experience.
Hoover Reservoir
Hoover Reservoir (Delaware and Franklin counties) – Hoover Reservoir continues to be the perennial powerhouse of catfishing. First stocked with blue catfish in 2011, some of the older fish are now approaching the 50-pound mark.
Target the north end of the lake with cut bait from spring through summer for the chance to hook one of these trophies. The daily limit for blue catfish is one fish 35 inches or longer, with no limit on shorter fish.
Hoover Reservoir has a 10-horsepower limit on outboard motors. The reservoir has five boat launches, including popular ramps at Oxbow Road in the upper basin, Redbank in the middle basin, and the newly renovated Walnut Road ramp in the lower basin.