2021 Ohio ODNR Fishing Report

Last Updated: August 27, 2021

• The daily bag limit for walleye in Ohio waters of Lake Erie is 6 fish per angler. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15 inches.
• The daily limit for yellow perch is 30 in the West and East Zones of Ohio waters of Lake Erie. The daily limit is 10 in the Central Zone of Ohio waters of Lake Erie.
• The trout and salmon daily limit is 5 fish per angler. The minimum size limit is 12 inches.
• Black bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass): The daily limit is 5 fish per angler. The minimum size limit for Black bass is 14 inches. 
• See the Ohio Fishing Regulations for more information.

Walleye

• Fishing in the Western Basin has slowed down, with a few groups still doing well North and Southeast of Kelleys Island, and out of Vermilion and Huron in 35-50 feet of water trolling spoons behind dipsy divers and crankbaits behind inline weights.
  
  In the central basin fishing, it seems most of the fish have moved out deep. Anglers out of Edgewater and Gordon Park have been traveling 5-20 miles offshore to 65-75 feet of water trolling spoons behind dipsy divers and crawler harnesses behind inline weights. Further East, anglers in Geneva and Ashtabula have done really well in 58-80 feet of water, trolling 35-60 feet down in the water column, again with spoons and crawler harnesses.
  

Yellow Perch

• The perch bite in the Western Basin has been good in recent weeks, though sporadic day to day. The best reports are coming in 20-22 feet of water near the Toledo Water Intake. Other locations include the “D” and “F” cans of the Camp Perry Firing Range and NW and SW of Green Island in 26-30 feet of water. The bite has been very light, with crappie rigs and chunks of shiners being the best presentation. Most of the fish are in the 7-9 inch range, with a few bigger fish mixed in.
  

Largemouth Bass

• Nearshore areas, especially near structure including breakwalls have been producing large numbers of fish. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and soft plastic presentations have been working well.

The water temperature off Toledo is 78 degrees, off Cleveland 78 degrees and off Erie 79 degrees.

Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while on the water.

Last Updated: August 12, 2021

• The daily bag limit for walleye in Ohio waters of Lake Erie is 6 fish per angler. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15 inches.
• The daily limit for yellow perch is 30 in the West and East Zones of Ohio waters of Lake Erie. The daily limit is 10 in the Central Zone of Ohio waters of Lake Erie.
• The trout and salmon daily limit is 5 fish per angler. The minimum size limit is 12 inches.
• Black bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass): The daily limit is 5 fish per angler. The minimum size limit for Black bass is 14 inches. 
• See the Ohio Fishing Regulations for more information.

Walleye

• Fishing continues to be good, with most effort coming east of Kelleys Island and north of Cedar Point. Anglers out of Vermilion and Lorain have been doing well trolling in 50+ feet of water, trolling dipsy divers and spoons, as well as crankbaits with 50 foot leads behind 2 oz. weights.
  
  In the central basin fishing, it seems most of the fish have moved out deep. Anglers out of Edgewater and Gordon Park have been traveling 4-12+ miles offshore to 55-72 feet of water trolling spoons behind dipsy divers and crawler harnesses behind inline weights. Also reports of some success drifting harnesses and weight forward spinners in 30-50 feet of water closer to shore. Further East, anglers in Geneva and Ashtabula have done really well in 58-80 feet of water, trolling 35-60 feet down in the water column, again with spoons and crawler harnesses.
  

Yellow Perch

• The perch bite in the Western Basin has been good in recent weeks, though sporadic day to day. The best reports are coming in 20-22 feet of water near the Toledo Water Intake. Other locations include the “D” and “F” cans of the Camp Perry Firing Range and NW and SW of Green Island in 26-30 feet of water. The bite has been very light, with crappie rigs and chunks of shiners being the best presentation. Most of the fish are in the 7-9 inch range, with a few bigger fish mixed in.
  

Largemouth Bass

• Nearshore areas, especially near structure including breakwalls have been producing large numbers of fish. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and soft plastic presentations have been working well.

The water temperature off Toledo is 77 degrees, off Cleveland 76 degrees and off Erie 77 degrees.

Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while on the water.

 A fishing license is required to take fish from Ohio waters.

A fishing license is required to take frogs or turtles on public and private property.

Persons fishing in privately owned ponds, lakes, or reservoirs that are open to public fishing through an agreement or lease with the ODNR Division of Wildlife are required to have a fishing license.

Persons fishing must have their license in their possession while fishing and must show the license to anyone on request. Licenses can be displayed using a mobile device.

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty stationed in Ohio, but not on leave or furlough are required to purchase a resident license.

Annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Annual and multiyear fishing licenses are valid from the date of purchase until the expiration date printed on the license.

A complete list of license options and prices for fishing can be found in the current Ohio Fishing Regulations. 

LICENSES & PERMITS

Youth Licenses
Persons under 16 years of age are not required to purchase a fishing license.
Resident Youth Lifetime License.... $430.56

Resident Licenses
Resident 1-Day License....$14.00
Resident 1-Year Upgraded from a 1-Day License* (see below)....$12.00
Resident 1-Year License....$25.00
Resident 3-Year License....$54.08
Resident 5-Year License....$90.22
Resident 10-Year License....$180.44
Resident Lifetime License....$468.00

Resident Senior Licenses
Resident 1-Year License....$10.00
Resident 3-Year License....$28.60
Resident 5-Year License....$47.58
Resident Lifetime License....$84.24

Nonresident Licenses
Nonresident 1-Day License....$14.00
Nonresident 1-Year License Upgraded from a 1-Day* (see below)....$37.44
Nonresident 3-Day License....$25.00
Nonresident 1-Year License....$50.96
Nonresident Lake Erie Fishing Permit (January 1 to April 30, 2021)....$11.00

Card and Duplicate
Resident Ohio Conservation Card....$4.00
Duplicate License - Free reprints are available at wildohio.gov....$4.00

*A one-day fishing license may be applied as credit toward the purchase of an annual license

ABOUT LICENSES & PERMITS

Multiyear Fishing Licenses (Ohio Residents Only)
A multiyear license allows an Ohio resident the opportunity to lock-in rates and avoid transaction fees for the length of the license. These licenses can be purchased for 3 years, 5 years, or 10 years. Permits and stamps must be purchased annually.

Multiyear license customers may pay additional fee for hard plastic license (Ohio Conservation Card) if desired.

Lifetime Fishing Licenses (Ohio Residents Only)
A lifetime license creates an Ohio tradition that lasts a lifetime! A lifetime license, purchased for yourself or as a gift, provides a lifetime of outdoors enjoyment, regardless of where they live in the future. The cost of the license offers considerable savings and convenience to the holder and supports conservation programs. Revenue generated by lifetime licenses provide long-term financial support for Ohio’s fish and wildlife. 

All Lifetime license holders will be mailed a plastic card (Ohio Conservation Card) to serve as their license.