The Ohio Department of Natural Resources received a record-breaking 537 sightings across 69 counties in 2025.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Posted inOutdoor
Check out north central Ohio’s best sites for National Camping Month
June is National Camping Month, and there are no shortage of options in north central Ohio for those looking to enjoy the Great Outdoors. That means this is the perfect time to pack up the s’mores, grab the sleeping bags, and spend a night under the Ohio skies. From lakeside campsites to wooded retreats, your […]
Posted inOutdoor
Ohio governor and wife enjoy Lake Erie Fish Ohio Day
PORT CLINTON — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine celebrated the 46th annual Governor’s Lake Erie Fish Ohio Day with Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz, Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker, and other leaders from the conservation and tourism industries. “Walleye fishing on Lake Erie is one of the […]
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Largemouth bass at Clear Fork Reservoir are calling to Richland County anglers
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 […]
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Fish for free across Ohio June 20 & 21
COLUMBUS – Ohio’s annual free fishing days on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, give all residents a chance to fish at any public waterway without a license, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. This includes Lake Erie and Ohio’s public lakes, reservoirs, streams, and rivers. June 20 and 21 is the only […]
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Division of Wildlife collars huge black bear in northeastern Ohio
ASHTABULA — Ohio’s wildlife experts were spurred into action this week when they collared a 576-pound black bear in Ashtabula County, the organization posted on its Facebook site on Thursday afternoon. The Ohio Division of Wildlife and Gantchoff Lab at the University of Dayton experts worked to place a radio collar on a transient male […]
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Numbers decrease for Richland County hunters amid muddy spring turkey season
MANSFIELD — Luck was not on the side of Richland County’s spring turkey hunters, who saw their number dwindle amid a muddy season, according to statistics provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Local hunters bagged 190 birds during the spring campaign within the county’s borders. That total fell well short of the previous […]
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Gov. DeWine proclaims June 1 to 7 as Ohio State Parks Week
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has announced that Governor Mike DeWine has officially proclaimed June 1 to 7, as Ohio State Parks Week, celebrating the natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and award winning excellence of Ohio’s 76 state parks. ODNR’s Division of Parks and Watercraft manages Ohio’s state parks to ensure they remain accessible to […]
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Governor attends Bird Ohio Day at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
OAK HARBOR — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife celebrated Governor’s Bird Ohio Day on Monday at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area in Ottawa County. The top bird conservationists in Ohio gather annually in May at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, also known as the […]
Posted inOutdoor
Ohioans are asked to report reptile & amphibian crossings for wildlife research
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) are asking the public to report locations where they see reptiles and amphibians frequently cross roadways. Wildlife crossings put both animals and passenger vehicles at risk on the roadway, so reports can help ODNR and ODOT […]