When is channel catfish season in Ohio?

Ohio keeps channel catfish open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the Ohio bag limit for channel catfish?

The Ohio daily bag limit for channel catfish is No limit under 28 in; 1 / day over 28 in. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size channel catfish can you keep in Ohio?

The Ohio size rule for channel catfish is No minimum length to keep. Trophy rule: Statewide trophy cap: only 1 channel catfish over 28 in (plus 1 flathead + 1 blue catfish over 35 in each) per day.

Do you need a license to fish for channel catfish in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio requires a valid fishing license to fish for channel catfish, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Ohio license — compare resident and non-resident Ohio fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for channel catfish in Ohio?

Yes. In Ohio, channel catfish fishing carries these gear rules: Statewide: unlimited channel catfish under 28 in; 1 over 28 in per day — Ohio Admin. Code 1501:31-13-08; Hook-and-line; trotlines + limb lines allowed on listed inland waters — check posted signage; Ohio River: KY / WV boundary-water rules apply on the south + east banks.

Do specific Ohio waters have different channel catfish rules?

Yes. 5 named Ohio waters carry rules that override the statewide channel catfish regulation, including Ohio River, Lake Erie (Ohio waters), Hoover Reservoir, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Ohio Channel catfish 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Ictalurus punctatus

Last updated May 29, 2026

Channel catfish are Ohio's most widely distributed catfish and the backbone of the urban-fishing stocking programme — the Division of Wildlife releases catchable channel cats into community ponds and reservoirs (Hoover, Alum Creek, and dozens of neighbourhood lakes) every spring. They are abundant in Lake Erie's western basin, the Ohio River, and nearly every inland reservoir. Statewide there is no daily limit on channel catfish under 28 inches; anglers may keep only one fish longer than 28 inches per day — a trophy-protection rule that also caps blue and flathead catfish at one fish over 35 inches each.

Compare channel catfish regulations across all states →

Get change alerts

Watch Ohio Channel catfish and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

Season

Open year-round Open year-round statewide.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: No limit under 28 in; 1 / day over 28 in

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: No minimum length to keep
Trophy rule: Statewide trophy cap: only 1 channel catfish over 28 in (plus 1 flathead + 1 blue catfish over 35 in each) per day

Gear restrictions

Statewide: unlimited channel catfish under 28 in; 1 over 28 in per day — Ohio Admin. Code 1501:31-13-08
Hook-and-line; trotlines + limb lines allowed on listed inland waters — check posted signage
Ohio River: KY / WV boundary-water rules apply on the south + east banks

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Ohio waters:

Ohio River
Boundary water with KY/WV; trophy blue + flathead catfish (1 over 35 in each) — Ohio Admin. Code 1501:31-13-11
Lake Erie (Ohio waters)
Abundant in the western basin + harbours; statewide trophy cap applies
Hoover Reservoir
Stocked channel catfish; no limit under 28 in, 1 over 28 in
Alum Creek Reservoir
Stocked channel catfish; statewide trophy cap applies
Grand Lake St. Marys
Strong channel + flathead catfish fishery; statewide rule

Official source

Ohio Department of Natural Resources — Division of Wildlife publishes the authoritative 2026 Ohiofishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

The channel catfish rules on this page are sourced from Ohio Department of Natural Resources — Division of Wildlife's official channel catfish regulation page.

Visit official Ohio fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Channel catfish closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Ohio Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Ohio trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is channel catfish season in Ohio?: Ohio keeps channel catfish open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the Ohio bag limit for channel catfish?: The Ohio daily bag limit for channel catfish is No limit under 28 in; 1 / day over 28 in. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size channel catfish can you keep in Ohio?: The Ohio size rule for channel catfish is No minimum length to keep. Trophy rule: Statewide trophy cap: only 1 channel catfish over 28 in (plus 1 flathead + 1 blue catfish over 35 in each) per day.
Do you need a license to fish for channel catfish in Ohio?: Yes. Ohio requires a valid fishing license to fish for channel catfish, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Ohio license — compare resident and non-resident Ohio fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for channel catfish in Ohio?: Yes. In Ohio, channel catfish fishing carries these gear rules: Statewide: unlimited channel catfish under 28 in; 1 over 28 in per day — Ohio Admin. Code 1501:31-13-08; Hook-and-line; trotlines + limb lines allowed on listed inland waters — check posted signage; Ohio River: KY / WV boundary-water rules apply on the south + east banks.
Do specific Ohio waters have different channel catfish rules?: Yes. 5 named Ohio waters carry rules that override the statewide channel catfish regulation, including Ohio River, Lake Erie (Ohio waters), Hoover Reservoir, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

← Back to Ohio regulations overview