It is unlawful to buy or sell any
fish taken by angling from any water area in the state where an Ohio
Fishing License is required.
It is unlawful to transport and
introduce any aquatic species (fish, invertebrate, plant) from one body
of water to another.
It is unlawful for the public to
tag and release fish into any public water area.
It is unlawful to clean fish or
possess fillets while on or at a body of water. For more information,
see OAC 1501:31-13-08 J
FORAGE FISH means
freshwater drum (in the Lake Erie fishing district only), carp,
quillback, suckers, bowfin, gar, buffalo, gizzard shad, and goldfish.
These species may be taken by any method except by means of explosives,
poisons, firearms, electricity, chemicals, nets, seines, or traps, or by
snagging within 1,000 feet downstream of a dam. Gizzard shad and smelt
may be taken with a minnow seine, minnow dip net, or hand landing net.
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 is illegal from
September 1 to April 30 in the Ashtabula River, Chagrin River, Grand
River, Rocky River, Vermilion River, Arcola Creek, Conneaut Creek,
Cowles Creek, Euclid Creek, Indian Creek, Turkey Creek, and Wheeler
Creek. Hooks may not be larger than five-eighths inch from shank to
point.
FROG SEASON is open
from June 15 at 6 p.m. through April 30. Only bullfrogs and green frogs
may be legally taken. Not more than 10 may be taken or possessed at any
time. Frogs may not be shot except with a longbow and arrow. Hours are
local time.
TURTLES may not be
taken by shooting with a gun or crossbow, or by use of a spring or steel
trap. Only snapping and softshell turtles may be legally taken. A turtle
trap with mesh less than 4 inches square must have an opening at least 6
inches in diameter leading from it. Wings and leads are unlawful. The
trap must be marked with the name and address of the owner or user in
English lettering.
BAIT It is unlawful for
any person except licensed bait dealers to possess more than 100
crayfish or in combination 500 crayfish, minnows, and other bait fish. A
bait dealer's permit is required of persons buying or selling minnows,
crayfish, and hellgrammites. This permit may be obtained from any
wildlife district office.
LAKE STURGEON The lake
sturgeon is an endangered species in Ohio and must be returned unharmed
to the water as soon as possible if caught.
CLAMS, MUSSELS, OR MUSSEL SHELLS
may not be taken, possessed, or collected for any purpose.
MINNOW SEINES AND DIP NET
REGULATIONS
Square mesh must not be larger than 1/2 inch on a side. Seine and net
size limits and places where they may be used are as follows:
*Including East and West harbors in
Ottawa County and waters where fishing with nets is licensed by law.
Hours are local time.
MINNOW OR BAIT FISH TRAPS-
It is illegal for anglers to possess or use a minnow or bait fish trap
larger than 24 inches in length and 12 inches in width. Additionally,
possessing or using a minnow or bait fish trap with an opening larger
than one inch is illegal.
CAST NETS- Forage fish
may be taken with cast nets only in the Inland Fishing District. It is
unlawful to use a cast net with a square mesh less than 1/4 inch or
larger than 1 inch on a side, or with a diameter of greater than 10
feet. It is illegal to use a cast net within a distance of 1000 feet
downstream from any dam posted with Division of Wildlife signs
indicating cast net use is prohibited.
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.
ARCHERY ANGLERS may use
bows of any weight pull. A fishing license is required. Longbows may be
used to take bullfrogs, green frogs, snapping and softshell turtles, and
forage fish. Crossbows may be used to take forage fish.
ICE ANGLERS may use
holes no larger than 12 inches in diameter. In Lake Erie ice anglers may
use holes no larger than 12 inches in width. Ice anglers may not use
more than 6 tip-ups and 2 rods per person. All shelters and tip-ups must
display the name and address of the owner or user in English lettering.
LIVE RELEASE OF FISH-
Any fish not of legal size or not legally caught must be released
immediately. Anglers choosing to release fish should use the following
guidelines: Handle it carefully with a wet hand or a wet towel so it can
be freed unharmed. If its a fish without sharp teeth like a bass, hold
its lower lip between your thumb and index finger. If it has sharp teeth
like a walleye or Northern pike, carefully hold it around the body. If
the fish is hooked deeply and the hook can't easily be removed, cut the
line to release the fish. Tearing a hook out can harm a fish so badly
that it may not live.
