You want to fish the Ohio River. If you have never been to the river it has some great sites to see and home to some very exciting freshwater fish species. Considering all the rivers across America, the Ohio River isn’t the longest or deepest, but is an exciting place to fish.
The river flows through 6 states, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Rivers and creeks from 11 states drain into the Ohio River making up roughly 20% of the Mississippi River. The Ohio River is 981 miles of angler paradise.
Fishing in the Ohio River isn’t about snagging the next trophy fish. You see, the river has a fickle personality, and just when you think you have figured her out, you find out you still have a lot to learn.
Ohio River Facts
- The Ohio River at its widest point is only 1 mile wide. The widest point is at the Smithland, KY, near the Smithland Dam.
- The Ohio River has 20 locks and dams for flood control and navigation purposes.
- More than 180 tons of cargo gets transported on the Ohio River each year.
- The average depth of the Ohio River is 24 feet.
- You can find almost 160 species of fish in the Ohio River.
- The Ohio River supports more than 5 million peoples drinking water needs.
Ohio River Fish Species
Did you know Ohio is home to 159 known species of fish. With more that move through the river. You can find all sorts of bass, sunfish, crappie, perch, catfish, pike, trout, paddlefish, sturgeon, darter, gar, and shiners. Just to name a few commonly found species. The most commonly found are listed below as well as what you need to fish for them and where to find them.
Largemouth Bass
You’ll be able to start fishing for largemouth bass once the water temperature reaches 50 degrees. That’s when largemouth bass start moving into creeks to spawn. Once spawning season is over and the water temperature moves upwards of 80 degrees, these beauties start moving back into deeper water. That’s when you will find them in the heart of the Ohio River. Typically mid to late June through fall.
What do you need to fish largemouth bass? During spawning season you’ll be in creeks off the Ohio River. For artificial bait, your best bet is crank baits, plastic worms, and a slow crank spinner. Personally I would rather fish with live bait, so think shad, minnows, and worms. But remember to keep it shallow. As the waters warm up and they start moving towards deeper water, for artificial baits, try jigs and pigs, deeper crank baits, and jigging spoons. For live bait, you can use leaches, worms and a deeper set for minnows.
Where do largemouth like to hang out? You will want to look for weedy areas, tall grasses, rocky banks, and fallen trees, or timber rich area. Always remember, largemouth bass are seldom caught in water deeper than 6 feet. So regardless of the time of year, you’ll want to keep that bait higher.
Largemouth bass are a fun catch, and you are certainly going to be in for fight. So be prepared for some fun if you are trying to reel in one of these beauties.
Smallmouth Bass
You can find smallmouth bass throughout the Ohio River. These little guys are around and biting hard from spring to fall, yet they bite the most mid-April until early-May, before spawning season.
What do you need to fish smallmouth bass? Crayfish are the main food source for smallmouth, so if you see crayfish in the water, you are probably in a good place to find some smallmouth. When fishing with artificial bait, a good deep crank bait, and darker jigs at a rocky edge. You might also want to try a light-colored spinner in choppy waters. When using live bait, a minnow around 4-5 feet with a bobber will catch the attention of that smallmouth.
Where do smallmouth like to hang out? Rocky areas and heavy debris areas. If you can find crayfish, you can find smallmouth. It’s been said the best habitat for smallmouth is upstream from Willow Island Dam (more on this below). However, they are more caught in all areas of the river, keep looking for them in rocky areas and in open pools.
White, Striped, & Hybrid Striped Bass
If you are looking to fish white bass, striped bass, and/or hybrid striped bass you will want to be fishing April and May. Because that is best time to be fishing in the tailwaters. Although you can catch these beauties all summer and fall, you will most certainly want to be out in the spring.
White bass in the Ohio River are typically 8-12 inches long, and have yet to exceed 21 inches. They are, however, the most frequently caught fish in the Ohio River.
Striped bass have been found upwards of 20 pounds and are stocked in the river each year by Kentucky,
Hybrid striped bass are fairly common to be around 10 pounds, and get over 21 inches long. They are stocked every year by Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
What do you need to fish white, striped, and hybrid bass? If you are using artificial bait you are going to want something that skims the top of the water, crank baits and spoons, some smaller spinners will work well too. It is more recommended, however, to use shiners, and shad. At times, you can crank in a hybrid striped bass with something a little more heavy sitting on the bottom. Fishing with cut bait or liver will surely get their attention. Keep in mind that the white bass and the striped bass are more of a top water predator, while the hybrid striped bass is going to be hunting a little deeper than the others.
Where do white, stripped, and hybrid bass like to hang out? You will want to look for these mostly around dams where the water is heavily oxygenated. Also look just downstream a bit from the dam if you aren’t having much luck right in the bubbly turbulence of high rapid areas,
Sauger & Walleye
It’s been said that sauger are one of the most caught fish in the Ohio River. Therefore, we are grouping these two together because walleye can be caught in the same places and fashion as sauger. Who doesn’t want some extra tips???
If you are wanting to fish for some delicious walleye you will want to fish in the late fall, through winter, and in the early spring.
What do you need to fish sauger and walleye? Artificial bait really isn’t the way to go for these yummy aquatic catches. However if you must use artificial, go with a slow jigging spoon and a vibrating blade. If you are fishing at dusk or at night, you might try a crankbait in the shallows around the tailwater of an active dam. For those of us that use live bait regularly, look into a heavy jig with a bright color to catch the attention of these deep water dwellers. Adding a minnow, leach, or I’ve even had some luck with worms added to jig and fishing slowly.
Where do sauger and walleye like to hang out? Sauger and walleye tend to move into shallow waters at dusk. They are fairly heavily concentrated in the tailwater areas in the early spring, looking for the warmer temperatures. In the summer months when the water heats up they move into deeper water until fall when the water temperature starts to drop again and they move back into the tailwater areas. They like the dark, so if you are fishing during the day for sauger make it a day with thick cloud cover or right before a rain.
Catfish
Channel catfish and Flathead catfish are the most commonly caught catfish in the Ohio River. While blue catfish are pretty rare, they are here. Channel catfish average 15 pounds, while flatheads can reach upwards of 100 pounds, you are more often looking at 20 to 30 pounds.
What do you need to fish catfish? Don’t even think about artificial bait if you are out looking for catfish. You will want large gizzard shad. I’m talking 4 to 6 inches large and a heavy setup. Think cut bait, something around 2 inch chunks and you want it to go deep if you can.
Where do catfish like to hang out? Catfish are most active at night. Therefore, if you are out looking for catfish, plan on sleeping a little during the day before of after your trip. Catfish can be caught anytime the water temps get above 50 degrees. They seem to be most hungry in the early summer, May through July. Look for them in gravel flats near deep water drop offs, and where streams come together.
Crappie
Ahhh Crappie! There are so many inlets and creeks along the Ohio River, don’t forget about fishing for crappie. They are fun for the whole family. While you may not be catching the biggest fish you are more than certain to have some fun catching these little guys.
What do you need to fish for crappie? Keep it simple when fishing for crappie. If you want to use artificial, a simple jig will work great. I however highly recommend just a hook and a night crawler or a minnow and always remember the bobber when out finding a little crappie.
Where do crappie like to hang out? Crappie like to hide in places that they feel protected. As a smaller species they are more prey than predator. You will more often than not find crappie hiding around downed trees and downed trees, weed beds, and wooded areas.
Best Fishing Spots for Ohio
Remember those 981 miles, and 6 states. The Ohio River is more than just Ohio. However, we are looking just at the 451 miles in Ohio. Let’s get to into it.
Hannibal Pool
In the Eastern Region of Ohio you will find the Hannibal lock and dam. This area went under construction by the US Army Corps in the 1970’s and has since become a great place to fish for striped bass, and sauger. The best part about fishing here is you don’t need a boat to fish for bass. It has great shorelines, so anyone can fish it. There is also a lovely picnic area, so make sure to pack a lunch and bring the family. They will be easily entertained.
Want to learn more about Hannibal Lock and Dam:
Meldahl Dam
Around central Ohio you will find the Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks & Dam. You’ll want to fish along side and behind the locks. There are lots of little parks along the dam and the fishing is on point. Certainly a fantastic place for boat fishing, there have been a bunch of sporting anglers winning tournaments from this dam.
Along the dam you will find heavy weed coverage, and downed trees, as well as rocky patches. Giving a chance for shore fishing and boat fishing. Do be careful here though, because there is a lot of water traffic from cargo carriers.
This dam is heavily populated with bass of all kinds so make sure you bring the right equipment and you are sure to have a lot of fun here.
Leith Run Recreational Area
As we get into the southeast region of Ohio, one of the top contenders is Leith Run Recreational Area. This spot is in Wayne National Forest so you can make a weekend trip or heck take a family vacation here. There is plenty to do and see in Wayne National Forest so no member of the family will be board. The campgrounds even has wifi.
You can fish the shore here very easily and being on a boat brings in even more opportunities. Here you are certain to find bass, catfish, crappie and just about anything the Ohio River has to offer.
Want to learn more or book a campsite or cabin here. Click the link below.
Belleville Pool at Willow Island
Keeping in the southeast region of Ohio; Willow Island is a Hot Spot! Here you are looking at Walleye, sauger, bass of all kinds, and good size catfish. There are several boat ramps and plenty of opportunity for shoreline fishing as well.
You will find a great deal of weed beds to fish, wooded areas, wood deris, rock piles, and much more. If you are wanting to find everything the Ohio river has to offer, Belleville Pool is the place you want to be.
There are hot-spots and cool-spots throughout the pool, sudden drop offs and hefty shorelines. Willow Island is bass rich. Be prepared to bring in a bass even when you are crappie or catfishing.
Want to learn a little about what Belleville pool has to offer? Clock the link below.
Aberdeen Landing
When you get into the western region of the Ohio River (in Ohio), you want to make Aberdeen Landing a must stop fishing spot. The entirety of the western region is heavily populated with fish. Aberdeen landing is a boat ramp but there is plenty of fishing to be had along the shore.
Cumberland Pool
The cumberland Pool is in the southeastern region of Ohio but certainly needs to be motioned. It’s another US Army Corps location and is heavily wooded with good rock piles to fish. Making the Cumberland Pool a wonderful spot for fishing bass and crappie as well as walleye and sauger. The pool is fairly shallow compared to some of the others so fishing in the spring and fall is the best.
Final Thoughts
Just went you think you know the Ohio River, there’s something new to discover. Another inlet or creek you hadn’t spotted before. There are so many different creeks and river mouths you have yet to discover. A lot of species move through the river and even more that call it home. All of which deserve to be discovered. An Ohio River fishing trip is something every angler needs to try at least once in lifetime!
Happy Fishing!
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Want to read more on fishing in Ohio? Here is an overview of Ohio Fishing:
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