Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Ohio (Complete Guide)

Ohio offers some of the best fishing in the Midwest. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish in Ohio can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Ohio are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in Ohio.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Ohio. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Sections of Creeks/Rivers to Fly Fish in Ohio

Mad River (Champaign County) – Brown Trout, October and November

Clear Fork River (Richland County) – Rainbow Trout, May and June

Little Miami River (Greene County) – Smallmouth Bass, September and October

Vermilion River (Lorain County) – Steelhead Trout, March and April

Chagrin River (Lake County) – Steelhead Trout, October and November

Rocky River (Cuyahoga County) – Steelhead Trout, November and December

Conneaut Creek (Ashtabula County) – Steelhead Trout, October and November

Grand River (Lake County) – Steelhead Trout, November and December

East Branch Rocky River (Cuyahoga County) – Steelhead Trout, November and December

Clear Creek (Fairfield County) – Rainbow Trout, April and May

Little Beaver Creek (Columbiana County) – Smallmouth Bass, July and August

Mohican River (Ashland County) – Smallmouth Bass, July and August

Tuscarawas River (Stark County) – Smallmouth Bass, June and July

Hocking River (Hocking County) – Smallmouth Bass, June and July

Clear Fork Mohican River (Richland County) – Smallmouth Bass, July and August

Killbuck Creek (Holmes County): Brown Trout, March and April

Cuyahoga River (Summit County): Smallmouth Bass, May and June

Huron River (Erie County): Smallmouth Bass, July and August

Kokosing River (Knox County): Smallmouth Bass, July and August

Mad River (Clark County): Smallmouth Bass, July and August

Best Sections of Lakes to Fish in Ohio

Lake Erie (Cleveland area): Best time to fish is from May to October, targeting smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and walleye.

Lake Erie (Toledo area): Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch.

Mosquito Creek Lake: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

Berlin Lake: Best time to fish is from April to September, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and walleye.

Alum Creek Lake: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

Buckeye Lake: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

Salt Fork Lake: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

Seneca Lake: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

Piedmont Lake: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

Lake Milton: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and walleye.

West Branch Reservoir: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and walleye.

Leesville Lake: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

Indian Lake: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

Caesar Creek Lake: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and saugeye.

East Fork Lake: Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

Lake Erie (Port Clinton area): Best time to fish is from April to October, targeting walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass.

Lake Erie (Lorain area): Best time to fish is from May to October, targeting walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch.

Lake Erie (Geneva area): Best time to fish is from May to October, targeting walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch.

Lake Erie (Ashtabula area): Best time to fish is from May to October, targeting walleye, steelhead, and smallmouth bass.

Lake Erie (Conneaut area): Best time to fish is from May to October, targeting walleye, steelhead, and smallmouth bass.

Recommended Fishing Guides in Ohio

These Ohio-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Billy D Charters	Port Clinton, OH
Lake Erie Charter Service	Lorain, OH
Tail Chaser Fishing Charters	Lakeside Marblehead, OH
South Of Heaven Guide Service	Lakeside Marblehead, OH
Day/Nite Bite Fishing Charters	Vermilion, OH
The Cedric Allen	Lorain, OH
Pork Chop Express Charters	Lakeside Marblehead, OH
Vitamin Sea Fishing Charters	Port Clinton, OH
Crooked Creek Charters	Conneaut, OH
Erie Outlaw Sportfishing	Lakeside Marblehead, OH

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Brown Trout

Brown trout are most active in the cooler months, so the best time to fly fish for them is from late September through November. The best time to fish for them is typically early in the morning or late afternoon when the water is cooler and the fish are more active.

Some of the best locations for fly fishing for brown trout in Ohio include the Mad River in Champaign County, Clear Creek in Hocking County, and the Little Miami River in Greene County.

Steelhead (Lake Run Rainbow Trout)

In Ohio, the best time to fly fish for steelhead is usually during the fall and winter months, when these fish begin their annual spawning runs up the state’s rivers and streams. The best time of day to fly fish for steelhead can vary, but many anglers succeed during the early morning and late afternoon hours.

Some of the best locations for fly fishing for steelhead in Ohio include the Vermilion, Rocky, Chagrin Rivers, and Conneaut Creek.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout can be caught by fly fishing in Ohio year-round, but the best time to catch them is from April to June and October to November. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time of day to fly fish for rainbow trout. Ohio’s best places to fly fish for rainbow trout include the Mad River, Clear Creek, and the Lake Erie tributaries.

Northern Pike

The best time to go is usually in the spring and early summer. Specifically, April to June is a good time to look for pike, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the water temperature is warmer.

Some of the best places to find pike in Ohio include the Portage Lakes, the Sandusky River, and the Cuyahoga River.

Musky

The best time to go is usually in the fall and winter months. Specifically, October through January is a good time to look for musky, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the water temperature is cooler.

Some of the best places to find musky in Ohio include the Chagrin River, the Grand River, and the West Branch of the Mahoning River.

Crappie

If you’re looking to fish for crappie in Ohio, the best time to go is usually in the spring and fall months. Specifically, April through June and September through November are good times to look for crappie.

Some of Ohio’s best places to find crappie include Indian Lake, the Hoover Reservoir, and the Deer Creek Reservoir. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to fish for crappie when they are most active.

Walleye

If you’re looking to fish for walleye in Ohio, the best time to go is usually in the spring and early summer months. Specifically, April through June is a good time to look for walleye.

Some of Ohio’s best places to find walleye include the Sandusky Bay, the Maumee River, and the Portage Lakes. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to fish for walleye when they are most active.

Catfish

If you want to catch catfish in Ohio, the best time to go is usually in summer. Specifically, June through August is a good time to look for catfish.

Some of the best places to find catfish in Ohio include the Ohio River, the Great Miami River, and the Maumee River. Late afternoon and evening are good times to fish for catfish when they are most active.

Largemouth Bass

If you want to catch largemouth bass in Ohio, the best time to go is usually in the spring and early summer. Specifically, April through June is a good time to look for largemouth bass.

Some of the best places to find largemouth bass in Ohio include the Grand Lake St. Marys, the Alum Creek Lake, and the Mosquito Lake. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to fish for largemouth bass when they are most active.

Smallmouth Bass

If you’re looking to fish for smallmouth bass in Ohio, the best time to go is usually in the summer and early fall months. Specifically, June through October is a good time to look for smallmouth bass.

Some of the best places to find smallmouth bass in Ohio include the Ohio River, the Cuyahoga River, and the Rocky River. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to fish for smallmouth bass when they are most active.

Carp

The best time to go is usually in the spring and summer months. Specifically, April through August is a good time to look for carp.

Some of the best places to find carp in Ohio include the Pymatuning Lake, the Ohio River, the Muskingum River, and the Scioto River. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to fish for carp when they are most active.

Yellow Perch

The best time to go is usually in the late summer and early fall months. Specifically, August through October is a good time to look for yellow perch.

Some of Ohio’s best places to find yellow perch include Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, and Maumee Bay. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to fish for yellow perch when they are most active.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Wyoming, check out this guide. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Montana. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Colorado. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Michigan. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Pennsylvania. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ontario. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Quebec. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in New York. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Rhode Island. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Connecticut.

Best Fishing in Ohio on Seasonal Basis

Winter

Hoover Reservoir – Anglers can catch saugeye and crappie during the winter months in the deeper parts of the reservoir. Jigs and minnows work well for saugeye, while small jigs and grubs can catch crappie.
Lake Erie – The lake offers a chance to catch yellow perch and walleye during the winter months. Anglers typically fish near the bottom with minnows or jigs tipped with minnows for yellow perch, while jigging with spoons or blade baits can catch walleye.
Piedmont Lake – This lake offers good fishing opportunities for musky and crappie during the winter. Anglers can fish for musky near the dam and fish for crappie near the standing timber using jigs and minnows.
Grand River – Anglers can catch steelhead and brown trout in the river during the winter months. Fish the deeper pools with egg patterns, nymphs, or streamers to catch steelhead, and use streamers or egg patterns to catch brown trout.

Spring

Lake Erie – Walleye: Lake Erie is a popular fishing spot in Ohio, especially in the spring when walleye spawn. Anglers can catch walleye from shore or by boat.
Ohio River – Catfish: The Ohio River is another great spot to fish in the spring, particularly for catfish. These fish tend to be more active during the warmer months, making them easier to catch.
Grand Lake St. Marys – Crappie: Grand Lake St. Marys is a reservoir in western Ohio that is known for its crappie fishing. Spring is a particularly good time to catch crappie here, as they move into the shallower water to spawn.
Hocking River – Smallmouth Bass: The Hocking River in southeastern Ohio is a great place to fish for smallmouth bass in the spring. As the weather warms up, these fish become more active and can be caught using a variety of lures and baits.

Summer

Lake Erie: Lake Erie is known for its walleye fishing in the summer months. Walleye can be caught at different depths depending on the time of day and weather conditions.
Grand Lake St. Marys: Grand Lake St. Marys is a great location to catch largemouth bass in the summer months. Largemouth bass can be caught using a variety of baits including topwater lures, spinnerbaits, and plastic worms.
Caesar Creek Lake: Caesar Creek Lake is a popular location for catfishing during the summer months. Channel catfish can be caught using nightcrawlers, chicken liver, or stink baits.
Alum Creek Lake: Alum Creek Lake is another great location to catch smallmouth bass in the summer months. Smallmouth bass can be caught using crankbaits, jigs, and soft plastic baits.

Fall

Rocky River: One of the best fall fishing spots, especially for steelhead and trout.
Lake Erie: You can catch walleye, steelhead, and yellow perch in Lake Erie during the fall months.
Grand Lake St. Marys: This is a great spot to catch crappie and bluegill in the fall.
Hoover Reservoir: In the fall, Hoover Reservoir is a prime location to catch bass and muskie.

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Tennessee. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Illinois. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Kentucky.