Fishing has always been one of my favorite outdoor activities. It's what I do when I need a break from the stress of everyday life. I grew up along the banks of the Licking River and I spent most of my time there fishing, swimming, canoeing, and just being happy. These days, I don't have the kind of time I used to, but I do my best to make the time for a few casts every chance I get.
In this blog, I'm going to go over my top 5 fish species in Ohio, some of the best places you can find them, and the common bait used for each. Every day is a great day to fish, but if you're a resident of Ohio and do not have a fishing license, make sure to mark your calendars for June 17-18. These are the Free Fishing Days Ohio offers and during this time no fishing license is required.
BLUEGILL
Bluegill are my favorite species to fish for several reasons. Not only did I spend my childhood catching these little sunfish, but now I get to share that same experience with my girls. Watching them light up with excitement every time they hook one is priceless. Bluegill also are great to eat and do not possess a strong fish smell or taste.
You can find these popular sunfish in most warm water streams, ponds, and lakes throughout Ohio. Some of the waters you can find them in are located at Buckeye Lake, Caesar Creek Lake, Seneca Lake, Salt Fork Lake, and Hoover Reservoir just to name a few.
Bluegill enjoy minnows, insects, crustaceans, and worms as their natural food source. The same can be said for the bait you will want to use. I find that wax worms, night crawlers, crayfish, and even bread are great for catching bluegill. You won't break the bank catching these yummy fish!
CATFISH
Catfish are next on my list, mostly because I spent a lot of time with my dad catfishing, and because they are super fun to catch! Summer is a great time to pursue catfish and there are several types that are found in Ohio including blue, flathead, bullhead, and channel. We focused on the blue and flathead species but also caught our fair share of channel cat.
You can find catfish in the Muskingum River, Ohio River, Hoover Reservoir, Caesar Creek Lake, Buckeye Lake, and Seneca Lake just to name a few. You will want to catfish during the cool hours of the night when the catfish move to the shallow waters to feed.
Catfish are omnivores and will feed on a variety of food types. They possess a strong sense of smell so using strongly scented baits such as Berkley Gulp! Catfish Dough, will result in greater catch rates. However, I have always chosen to use other bait such as night crawlers, chicken liver, or a smaller fish like bluegill or shad.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
Considered to be the best fish to catch in Ohio by anglers, largemouth bass are sizeable and eager to bite. There is never a short supply of tournaments specifically for bass fishing and they draw all the anglers to the water. Largemouth bass are good to eat, and you can catch less of them to make a meal versus something like the bluegill.
Some of the best places to catch largemouth bass are Alum Creek Lake, Lake Erie, Walborn Reservoir, Caesar Creek Lake and the Ohio River. These fish spend their time lurking in cover near the shorelines or amid weeds. As the water temperature rises, bass tend to move offshore and find other structures to linger around.
Anglers fishing from a boat at large drop-offs or more open areas have the best luck with crankbaits or plastic baits. Shoreline anglers fishing in vegetated areas find success with plastic creature baits or topwater lures. Of course, you could always opt for live bait like shiners, minnows, and crawfish.
CRAPPIE
While Crappie can be caught throughout most of the year, the best time to pursue these fish is during the early spring months. Once the surface water hits the 70-degree mark, crappie move out of the shallows to open water where they suspend near their spawning area. These fish put up a great fight and make a tasty meal
Like the bluegill, crappie are also found in nearly every body of water. Some of the best places to find crappie are Indian Lake, Mosquito Creek Lake, Alum Creek Lake, and Hoover Reservoir. Crappie are most often found in the middle depths of the water. Therefore, if you are fishing in water that is 50 feet deep, you are likely to find crappie around 25 feet deep. However, if the water is clear and the sun is bright, they may be deeper. It is the opposite around dusk, as the sun goes down the crappie may move closer to the surface.
Baits that crappie gravitate to include, small jigs, plastic baits, or crappie minnows. However, during the summer months, when fishing in the deeper water, crankbaits can yield a better result.
WALLEYE
Ohio is one of the top walleye fishing destinations in the United States and rounds off my Top 5. While these fish don't put up much of a "fight", I enjoy catching them. Walleye are my favorite fish to eat because they do not have a strong fish taste and are versatile when cooking.
You can find these fish swimming the waters of Lake Erie, Caesar Creek Lake, Beaver Creek Reservoir, the Ohio River, the Maumee River, and the Sandusky River. Walleye are most active during low light conditions, such as early morning, late afternoon, and night. Because there are so many factors when fishing for walleye, such as time of day, water temperature, and cloud cover, it is best to use a fish finder to help you be successful on your fishing trip.
Walleye are known to be picky eaters, and different bait works better during certain conditions. Most anglers prefer a hook and worm with a weighted lure and bobber when fishing for walleye. However, you can use live bait such as minnows, leeches, or artificial lures like jigs, crankbaits, or spinners.
I hope my Top 5 fish will help guide you when planning your next fishing trip in Ohio.