This store requires javascript to be enabled for some features to work correctly.

Shop

Ambassadors

TRIPS & EVENTS

GIVEAWAYS

Top 10 Freshwater Fish to Catch in Ohio

Top Ten

Fish to Catch in Ohio

Walleye runs and bass brawls. Welcome to Ohio.

Ohio’s freshwater scene isn’t for the half-hearted. Here, yellow walleye and smallmouth bass set the pace, but they’re just the start. From toothy pike to thick channel cats and unexpected tiger trout, this state keeps you guessing. It’s a place where every cast could mean a different fight, and the mix of classic and wildcard species keeps anglers coming back.

Yellow Walleye

World Record 25 lb 0 oz
Mabry Harper / 1960
Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee

Signature Fact Those glassy eyes pack a mirror-layered retina that lets them hunt in near-darkness-and glow under headlamps.

Click to Learn More About Yellow Walleye

Smallmouth Bass

World Record 11 lb 15 oz
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee

Signature Fact In winter, they huddle in massive "sleep piles"-hundreds nose-to-current, barely twitching for weeks.

Click to Learn More About Smallmouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

World Record 22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan

Signature Fact High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.

Click to Learn More About Largemouth Bass

Channel Catfish

Learn More Here Verified Catch

World Record 58 lb 0 oz
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina

Signature Fact With over 100,000 taste buds, its whole skin acts like a tongue hunting through muddy darkness.

Black Crappie

Learn More Here Verified Catch

World Record 11 lb 5 oz
Stanley P. Lopus / 1998
Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania

Signature Fact During spawn, males can shift from silvery speckles to almost jet-black while fanning and ferociously guarding saucer nests.

Muskellunge

Learn More Here Verified Catch

World Record 67 lb 8 oz
Cal Johnson / 1949
Lake Court Oreilles, Wisconsin

Signature Fact A shocking number of hookups explode inches from the net during boatside figure‑eights-pure cardiac fishing.

Tiger Trout

Learn More Here Verified Catch

World Record 20 lb 13 oz
Lloyd Tanner / 2003
Scofield Reservoir, Utah

Signature Fact Born sterile, tiger trout skip spawning entirely and channel that energy into freakish growth and unapologetic aggression.

Northern Pike

Learn More Here Verified Catch

World Record 55 lb 1 oz
Lothar Louis / 1986
Lake of Grefeern, Germany

Signature Fact Unlike most fish, they launch with an S-start burst-arrow-straight acceleration that nails prey with sniper precision.

Landlocked Salmon

Learn More Here Verified Catch

World Record 50 lb 0 oz
Niels Jørgensen / 1987
Norway

Signature Fact Even trapped in lakes, they keep an ocean compass-orienting to Earth's magnetic field they'll never use.

Flathead

Learn More Here Verified Catch

World Record 123 lb 0 oz
Ken Paulie / 1998
Elk City Reservoir, Kansas

Signature Fact The IGFA all-tackle record flathead weighed 123 lb 9 oz-basically a kindergarten kid with whiskers.

FAQs

What fish can you catch in Ohio?

You’ll find yellow walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, muskellunge, tiger trout, northern pike, landlocked salmon, and flathead in Ohio’s freshwater.

What is the best time of year to fish in Ohio?

Spring and fall bring peak action for most Ohio freshwater species, with summer holding steady for bass and catfish.

Where are the best places to fish in Ohio?

Ohio has a range of freshwater spots with solid fishing for species like walleye, bass, and catfish. Look for lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the state.

What gear do you need for fishing in Ohio?

Bring medium spinning or baitcasting setups for bass and walleye, plus heavier tackle if you’re targeting catfish, pike, or muskellunge.

What are the easiest fish to catch in Ohio?

Largemouth bass, channel catfish, and black crappie are generally the easiest catches for most anglers in Ohio.

Species Speed Run

Rep FishyAF on the Water Shop Best Sellers →

Striper Shirt

Angler Hat

Switchback Hat

Unlucky Hat

UPF Shirt