Ohio Fishing Law

A fishing license is not required of persons who are:

• Less than 16 years of age. This includes frogs and turtles

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• Persons fishing in privately owned ponds, lakes, or reservoirs to and from which fish do not migrate are not required to have a license to take fish

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• Giving assistance to an angler who has been issued the free mobility impaired or blind fishing license, provided the

two persons together are using only one line

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• Fishing, or taking frogs and turtles, on land and water which they or their parents own, except where the land is

in or borders on state parks or state-owned lakes

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• Fishing, or taking frogs and turtles, on land and water where they or their parents are tenants on which they

reside, and from which they derive the majority of their income from agricultural production on that land (except

state-owned lakes)

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• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty while on leave or furlough

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• All Ohio residents may fish without a license on Free Fishing Days (consult the fishing regulations for dates)