2026 regulation year
Ohio Walleye 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Sander vitreus
Last updated
Lake Erie is the world's most productive walleye fishery — biologists estimate 100M+ catchable-size fish in the population during peak hatch years, and Ohio's western basin (Catawba, Marblehead, Port Clinton, Western Lake Erie) is the centre of the spring jig + summer trolling fishery. Inland Ohio walleye live in northeast reservoirs (Mosquito Creek, Pymatuning) and Ohio River pools. Bag is 6 fish on Lake Erie and 4 fish inland; statewide 15-inch minimum.
Season
Open year-round Open year-round on Lake Erie + inland waters.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 6 / day Lake Erie; 4 / day inland waters
- Possession
- Twice daily bag (after 2nd day)
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 15 in minimum Lake Erie + inland
Gear restrictions
- Lake Erie: max 2 lines per angler from boat or pier; max 3 hooks per line
- Snagging walleye prohibited
- Ohio River: Kentucky / West Virginia rules apply on the south + east banks
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Ohio waters:
Lake Erie (Ohio waters)
6 / day, 15 in minimum; Western Basin spring jig fishery + summer trolling
Mosquito Creek Lake
4 / day, 15 in minimum; NE Ohio walleye reservoir
Pymatuning Reservoir (OH/PA)
Reciprocal: 4 / day combined OH/PA, 15 in minimum
Berlin Reservoir
4 / day, 15 in minimum; Mahoning watershed fishery
Ohio River
4 / day, 15 in minimum; sauger may be in mixed bag — confirm species
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.