Fish Ohio and Harvest Levels

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife is looking forward to another world-class fishing season on Lake Erie, with a diverse range of species and exciting opportunities for anglers. • **Fish Ohio Program**: The Fish Ohio program, which allows anglers to catch and release fish up to a certain size, has seen impressive results in recent years. In 2024, 980 Fish Ohio walleye were submitted, with the largest measured at 34 inches. • **Harvest Levels**: The Lake Erie Committee regulates the catches with annually determined harvest levels that ensure sustainability. Most daily harvest limits remain unchanged in 2025, but some changes include:
• A decrease in the yellow perch daily limit in Ohio’s east zone, from 30 fish to 20 fish beginning on May 1, 2025. • The walleye daily limit on Lake Erie remaining unchanged at six fish per angler with a 15-inch minimum length requirement. • The yellow perch daily limit in the central zone remaining unchanged at 10 fish.

Walleye Fishing

Walleye from Lake Erie’s recent large hatches will continue to grow and provide a breadth of sizes and increased trophy potential in the Walleye Capital of the World. • **Young Fish**: Abundant young fish ranging from 15 to 24 inches will dominate the catch, with an increasing number of 2-year-olds reaching 15 inches as the season progresses. • **Larger Fish**: Anglers will have opportunities to catch larger fish from 2015 and earlier hatches, with a Fish Ohio qualifying walleye (minimum 28 inches). • **Release Sub-Legal Fish**: Anglers are encouraged to release sub-legal fish with as little handling as possible so they can contribute to the future fishery.

Yellow Perch Fishing

The west zone, from Toledo to Huron, is stable in terms of yellow perch abundance, with a large year class of 4-year-old fish anchoring the population in 2025. • **Best Times**: Anglers are encouraged to fish in the following times:
• July through mid-August, when the water temperature is above 76 degrees. • Mid-October through November, as adult perch move to shallower water to feed at water temperatures below 60 degrees. • **Catch**: Abundant young perch from 7 to 10 inches will dominate the catch, with jumbo 12-inch and larger fish from older year classes also contributing to the catch.

Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass fishing in 2025 is expected to be exceptional, including trophy catches. • **Daily Limit**: The daily limit is five bass per angler, with a 14-inch minimum size requirement through Wednesday, April 30, 2025, and again from Saturday, June 28, 2025, to Feb. 28, 2026. • **Spawning Season**: During the spawning season, from May 1 to June 27, 2025, anglers may harvest one bass per day with a minimum size requirement of 18 inches.

Conservation Efforts

The Lake Erie fishing regulations are designed to ensure sustainable harvesting of fish populations. Yellow perch daily limits for 2025 will be 30 perch in the west zone, 10 in the central zone, and 20 in the east zone.

Awards and Resources

The Lake Erie fishing reports, information on Lake Erie research and management programs, fisheries resources, maps, and links to other Lake Erie web resources are available at wildohio.gov.

“Lake Erie is one of the most productive fisheries in the world, and we’re excited to offer anglers another great season of fishing.” – Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife

“We encourage all anglers to check the regulations and enjoy the Lake Erie fishing season responsibly.”
“The combination of the right regulations and the right fishing conditions will make 2025 an exceptional season for anglers.”

Definitions

•

: A program that allows anglers to catch and release fish up to a certain size (28 inches) to promote sustainable fishing practices. •

: The amount of fish that can be harvested in a year to ensure the sustainability of fish populations. •

: Fishing practices that allow fish populations to recover and maintain a healthy balance with their environment.

Lake Erie offers exceptional fishing opportunities for both experienced and novice anglers. Anglers are encouraged to check the regulations and enjoy the Lake Erie fishing season responsibly. With the right regulations and fishing conditions, 2025 is expected to be an exceptional season for anglers.

For more information on Lake Erie fishing regulations, visit wildohio.gov.