When is walleye season in Ohio?

Ohio keeps walleye 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 walleye?

The Ohio daily bag limit for walleye is 6 / day (Lake Erie + inland). The possession limit is Daily bag applies — Ohio sets no separate possession limit. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size walleye can you keep in Ohio?

The Ohio size rule for walleye is Lake Erie 15 in minimum; no statewide inland minimum (15 in on listed reservoirs).

Do you need a license to fish for walleye in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, 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 walleye in Ohio?

Yes. In Ohio, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: 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.

Do specific Ohio waters have different walleye rules?

Yes. 5 named Ohio waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including Lake Erie (Ohio waters), Mosquito Creek Lake, Pymatuning Reservoir (OH/PA), and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Ohio Walleye 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

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Last updated June 9, 2026

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. The daily bag is 6 fish on both Lake Erie and inland waters. Lake Erie carries a 15-inch minimum, but inland waters have no statewide minimum length — a 15-inch minimum applies only on the listed reservoirs (Berlin, C.J. Brown, LaDue, Lake Milton, Mosquito Creek, West Branch).

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round on Lake Erie + inland waters.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 6 / day (Lake Erie + inland)
Possession: Daily bag applies — Ohio sets no separate possession limit

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: Lake Erie 15 in minimum; no statewide inland minimum (15 in on listed reservoirs)

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
6 / day, 15 in minimum; NE Ohio walleye reservoir (15 in min added Jan 2025)
Pymatuning Reservoir (OH/PA)
6 / day, 15 in minimum; either OH or PA licence valid from a boat
Berlin Reservoir
6 / day, 15 in minimum; Mahoning watershed fishery
Ohio River
6 / day, 14 in minimum (Ohio River OH/KY agreement); sauger may be in the mixed bag

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

Visit official Ohio fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Walleye 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 walleye season in Ohio?: Ohio keeps walleye 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 walleye?: The Ohio daily bag limit for walleye is 6 / day (Lake Erie + inland). The possession limit is Daily bag applies — Ohio sets no separate possession limit. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size walleye can you keep in Ohio?: The Ohio size rule for walleye is Lake Erie 15 in minimum; no statewide inland minimum (15 in on listed reservoirs).
Do you need a license to fish for walleye in Ohio?: Yes. Ohio requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, 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 walleye in Ohio?: Yes. In Ohio, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: 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.
Do specific Ohio waters have different walleye rules?: Yes. 5 named Ohio waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including Lake Erie (Ohio waters), Mosquito Creek Lake, Pymatuning Reservoir (OH/PA), and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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