COLUMBUS – Lake Erie anglers can expect the 2026 season to again offer world-class fishing, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. As walleye from Lake Erie’s recent large hatches continue to grow, anglers can expect even more “Fish Ohio” sized walleyes to be caught in The Walleye Capital of the […]
Division of Wildlife
Celebrate a trophy catch with a Fish Ohio pin
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was first published by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife awarded 10,127 Fish Ohio pins to anglers who reeled in trophy fish among 26 different species in 2025. Well-known fisheries such as Lake Erie, Alum Creek Lake, Buckeye Lake, Caesar […]
ODNR to stock rainbow trout in 4 north central Ohio lakes starting March 13
MANSFIELD — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will stock rainbow trout in four north central Ohio lakes starting March 13. One of them will include special angler events at the time of the release. According to the ODNR, the schedule of locations and directions include: March 13 at Foundation Park in Knox County In […]
Harrison County deer processor pleads guilty to multiple wildlife violations
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has concluded an investigation into a white-tailed deer processor in Harrison County which resulted in 35 individuals being convicted of a total of 55 violations. During the investigation, dubbed Operation Donor Deer, the Division of Wildlife’s law enforcement officers and investigators discovered numerous wildlife […]
Ohioans can support wildlife, nature preserves & scenic rivers with tax donations
COLUMBUS — This tax season, when Ohioans check the Wildlife Diversity or Nature Preserves and Scenic Rivers funds on their state income tax form, they’re supporting the protection of Ohio’s endangered plants, animals, healthy streams, and unique ecosystems. Donations are administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The Wildlife Diversity Fund, managed by ODNR’s […]
Richland County deer hunters finish just outside top 10 in Ohio’s 2025-26 season
COLUMBUS – Ohio hunters checked 232,142 white-tailed deer during the 2025-26 season that concluded on Sunday, Feb. 1, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Richland County hunters tagged 5,151 deer, just outside the top 10 among Ohio’s 88 counties. That’s a significant increase in the number deer checked over the […]
ODNR stocks Ohio’s waterways with 36 million fish in 2025
COLUMBUS – More than 36 million fish were stocked by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife in Ohio’s public lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in 2025. Eleven different species of fish were stocked at 233 locations statewide. Annual fish stockings play an important role in providing excellent fishing for Ohio’s 827,000 licensed anglers. The Division of […]
715 bald eagles reported in Ohio during January count
COLUMBUS – A bald eagle midwinter citizen survey counted 715 bald eagles thanks to 391 separate reports from Jan. 7 to 21 in the Buckeye State, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. With the United States’ 250th anniversary year underway in 2026, the Division of Wildlife requested the public’s help in […]
Numbers up for Ohio’s muzzleloader deer season
COLUMBUS – Hunters took 13,055 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s four-day muzzleloader hunting season that ended on Tuesday, Jan. 6, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. This total accounts for all deer taken with a muzzleloader or archery equipment during these four days. Hunters may pursue deer with a bow […]
Repurpose a Christmas tree for Ohio’s wildlife habitat
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is reminding Ohioans that a live-cut Christmas tree may be repurposed after the holidays as habitat for various species of animals. Before you discard your tree, remember that it can find life after the holidays for Ohio’s birds, fish, and mammals. A live-cut […]
