What special fishing regulations apply at Ohio River main stem (WV waters)?

Ohio River main stem (WV waters) carries 6 special-regulation overlays that override West Virginia's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Walleye / sauger, Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, and 1 more. One of them reads: "Boundary water with Ohio + Pennsylvania + Kentucky (Ohio River Reciprocal Agreement: mouth of Mill Creek, Hancock Co. → mouth of Big Sandy River, Wayne Co.); WV licence covers the WV side; sauger 14 in min + walleye 15 in min, 5 / day combined; channel catfish 30 / day (60 possession); blue catfish 4 / day, 25 in min, only one over 35 in (8 possession, 2 over 35) — nationally significant trophy blue fishery (WV record repeatedly broken here, now ~71 lb); flathead catfish 4 / day, only one over 35 in (8 possession)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Ohio River main stem (WV waters)?

Yes. Ohio River main stem (WV waters) is in West Virginia, so a valid West Virginia fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources — Wildlife Resources Section. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Ohio River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide West Virginia rules.

Do Ohio River main stem (WV waters)'s special rules replace West Virginia's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. West Virginia's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Ohio River main stem by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Ohio River main stem?

Largemouth bass, Walleye / sauger, Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, and Blue catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Ohio River main stem (WV waters), each linking to its full West Virginia regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide West Virginia limits.

2026 regulation year

Ohio River main stem (WV waters) 2026 — West Virginia Fishing Regulations

West Virginia statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 4, 2026

Ohio River main stem (WV waters) carries 6 special-regulation overlays on top of West Virginia's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass, Walleye / sauger, Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, and 1 more species. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Boundary water with Ohio + Pennsylvania + Kentucky (Ohio River Reciprocal Agreement: mouth of Mill Creek, Hancock Co. → mouth of Big Sandy River, Wayne Co.); WV licence covers the WV side; sauger 14 in min + walleye 15 in min, 5 / day combined; channel catfish 30 / day (60 possession); blue catfish 4 / day, 25 in min, only one over 35 in (8 possession, 2 over 35) — nationally significant trophy blue fishery (WV record repeatedly broken here, now ~71 lb); flathead catfish 4 / day, only one over 35 in (8 possession)
Source: West Virginia special-water list

Per-species rules on Ohio River main stem (WV waters)

Largemouth bass regulations →
12 in min, 6 / day combined black bass; boundary water with OH/PA/KY
Walleye / sauger regulations →
14 in min sauger / 15 in min walleye, 5 / day combined
Channel catfish regulations →
30 / day, 60 possession, no length limit; biggest river channels (Ohio River Reciprocal Agreement)
Flathead catfish regulations →
4 / day, only one over 35 in, 8 possession; premier WV flathead water (Belleville / Racine / R.C. Byrd tailwaters)
Blue catfish regulations →
4 / day, 25 in min, only one over 35 in, 8 possession (2 over 35); WV record-blue water (~71 lb, Jackson County)

Official source

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources — Wildlife Resources Section publishes the authoritative 2026 West Virginia fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official West Virginia fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to West Virginia Division of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any West Virginia trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in West Virginia

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Ohio River main stem (WV waters)?: Ohio River main stem (WV waters) carries 6 special-regulation overlays that override West Virginia's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Walleye / sauger, Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, and 1 more. One of them reads: "Boundary water with Ohio + Pennsylvania + Kentucky (Ohio River Reciprocal Agreement: mouth of Mill Creek, Hancock Co. → mouth of Big Sandy River, Wayne Co.); WV licence covers the WV side; sauger 14 in min + walleye 15 in min, 5 / day combined; channel catfish 30 / day (60 possession); blue catfish 4 / day, 25 in min, only one over 35 in (8 possession, 2 over 35) — nationally significant trophy blue fishery (WV record repeatedly broken here, now ~71 lb); flathead catfish 4 / day, only one over 35 in (8 possession)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Ohio River main stem (WV waters)?: Yes. Ohio River main stem (WV waters) is in West Virginia, so a valid West Virginia fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources — Wildlife Resources Section. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Ohio River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide West Virginia rules.
Do Ohio River main stem (WV waters)'s special rules replace West Virginia's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. West Virginia's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Ohio River main stem by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Ohio River main stem?: Largemouth bass, Walleye / sauger, Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, and Blue catfish have a water-body-specific rule on Ohio River main stem (WV waters), each linking to its full West Virginia regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide West Virginia limits.

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