League of Ohio Sportsmen Foundation dba Ohio Wildlife Federation

06/19/2026

Fish for Free Across Ohio on
June 20 and 21


COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s annual free fishing days on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, give all residents a chance to fish at any public waterway without a license, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. This includes Lake Erie and Ohio’s public lakes, reservoirs, streams, and rivers.

June 20 and 21 is the only weekend of the year on which residents 16 years old and older can fish public waters without purchasing a fishing license. Anglers under 16 can fish for free year-round and are not required to hold a license. All other fishing regulations, size requirements, and bag limits apply during the special weekend.

“Fishing is a great Ohio pastime for people of all ages,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “From the great Lake Erie to the Ohio River, Ohio’s great outdoors provides the perfect setting for your next fishing trip.”

More than 200 locations in Ohio are stocked annually with species such as walleye, saugeye, yellow perch, rainbow trout, brown trout, muskellunge, channel catfish, blue catfish, and hybrid-striped bass to support the state’s longstanding reputation of excellent fishing. In 2025, the Division of Wildlife stocked more than 36 million fish in Ohio waters.

Ohio’s public fishing locations are great places to catch a Fish Ohio! qualifying trophy. The Fish Ohio program celebrates amazing catches of 26 species of fish, and there are specific fish length requirements based on species to be a qualifying catch. Those who reel in a qualifying catch receive a commemorative Fish Ohio pin for their first entry, and a Master Angler pin for catching four different qualifying species in the same year. This year, the pin features a channel catfish.


Ohio’s free fishing days are Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21.

Ohio’s free fishing days offer a chance to try fishing for the first time or reconnect with an old tradition. Here are some tips for those just starting out:

Consider a person’s age and skill level and keep the trip simple.
Choose a pond, lake, or stream where beginners can easily catch a few fish.
Use live bait to increase the odds of catching a fish. Live bait is also more interesting for children.
Take plenty of photos and bring snacks.
Be patient. Be prepared to spend time untangling lines, baiting hooks, waiting for a bite, landing fish, and taking pictures.
Have fun!
There are many resources to make your fishing trip fun and unforgettable. Use the HuntFish OH mobile application or visit the Go and Do fishing page at ohiodnr.gov to explore public fishing destinations near you. If you are new to fishing and need help getting started, the Division of Wildlife has the resources to set you up for success. Wild Ohio Harvest has online modules, events, enhanced learning, and recipes to get you started.

Find information on special locations like Lake Erie and the Ohio River, fishing tips and tricks, and suggestions for targeting specific species on the Fishing License and Resources page at wildohio.gov.

Anglers who visit fishing destinations support the economies in those regions. Anglers generated $5.5 billion in economic spending in Ohio in 2022, according to a report released by the Wildlife Management Institute, Responsive Management, and Southwick Associates. The research found that 18% of Ohio’s adults, about 1.7 million individuals, participate in fishing.

Outside of the free fishing days on June 20 and 21, all anglers 16 years and older are required to have a valid fishing license to take fish, frogs, and turtles. Licenses can be purchased at participating agents, at wildohio.gov, or on the HuntFish OH mobile application. A one-year resident fishing license is just $25 and opens the door to endless memories. Remember to check the 2026-27 Fishing Regulations before you go.

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.



For more information, contact:
Brian Plasters, ODNR Division of Wildlife
Phone: 614-601-3836

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

A department of incredible diversity, ODNR owns and manages more than 800,000 acres of land, including 76 state parks, 24 state forests, 155 state nature preserves, and 150 wildlife areas.

06/11/2026

Get information and register for this year's Coonskin Cap Brigade Early Campfire!

Ohio Wildlife Federation

05/30/2026

Come on down and enjoy some great free youth fishing with us at division 3 aquatic education center at D 3 headquarters in arkon ohio.

05/26/2026

FREE FISHING DAYS ARE BACK FOR 2026! 🎣 Want to go fishing without paying for a fishing license? 👀 This is YOUR chance!

States across the U.S. are offering FREE Fishing Days in 2026, letting residents & visitors fish legally for FREE on select dates 🐟🙌 Dates vary by state, so check the full list to see when you can cast a line for free!

05/25/2026

05/19/2026

Ohio’s Wild Turkey Hunting Results
Through Sunday, May 17


COLUMBUS, Ohio – Wild turkey hunters across Ohio have checked 14,886 birds during the spring 2026 hunting season as of Sunday, May 17, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

This year’s statewide total represents 23 days of hunting in the 83 counties that comprise the south zone, 16 days of hunting in the northeast zone (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties), and the 2,058 turkeys checked during youth-only hunting dates.


Ohio hunters have checked 14,886 wild turkeys during the spring hunting season.


Hunters had checked an average of 14,339 turkeys by the corresponding date in the previous three seasons (2023 to 2025) and reported 14,355 birds at this point in 2025.

The 11 counties with the highest totals for wild turkey harvest so far during the 2026 season: Tuscarawas (414), Ashtabula (409), Monroe (393), Belmont (392), Adams (386), Gallia (384), Highland (384), Guernsey (370), Brown (340), Harrison (329), and Meigs (329).

As of Sunday, May 17, the Division of Wildlife has issued 52,273 spring turkey permits that are valid throughout the 2026 season. Hunting is open in the 83 counties that comprise the south zone until Sunday, May 24. Hunting in the northeast zone is open until Sunday, May 31. Hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.

The 2026 spring hunting season bag limit is one bearded turkey. Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license in addition to a spring turkey permit, unless exempted. Successful hunters are required to game-check their turkey no later than 11:30 p.m. on the day of harvest. Game check, licenses, and permits are available on the HuntFish OH app, via the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System, or at a participating license agent. Game check can also be completed by phone at 1-877-TAG-IT-OH (877-824-4864). Complete details can be found in the 2025-26 hunting and trapping regulations.

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.





Editor’s note: High Resolution Photo

A list of all wild turkeys checked by hunters in each county through Sunday, May 17, 2026, is shown below. Results include 23 days of hunting in the south zone, 16 days in the northeast zone, and youth-only hunting. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest numbers for 2026, and the three-year average (2023-2025) through the corresponding dates is in parentheses. The numbers below are raw data and subject to change.


Adams: 386 (339); Allen: 105 (73); Ashland: 153 (164); Ashtabula: 409 (359); Athens: 203 (260); Auglaize: 45 (46); Belmont: 392 (404); Brown: 340 (276); Butler: 214 (179); Carroll: 319 (332); Champaign: 78 (70); Clark: 26 (23); Clermont: 307 (252); Clinton: 97 (64); Columbiana: 322 (340); Coshocton: 297 (338); Crawford: 57 (51); Cuyahoga: 10 (9); Darke: 67 (61); Defiance: 215 (187); Delaware: 86 (77); Erie: 41 (39); Fairfield: 45 (82); Fayette: 14 (10); Franklin: 11 (20); Fulton: 157 (136); Gallia: 384 (364); Geauga: 194 (186); Greene: 32 (27); Guernsey: 370 (362); Hamilton: 69 (95); Hancock: 75 (44); Hardin: 117 (88); Harrison: 329 (335); Henry: 70 (61); Highland: 384 (303); Hocking: 143 (206); Holmes: 190 (196); Huron: 85 (84); Jackson: 253 (251); Jefferson: 325 (340); Knox: 265 (214); Lake: 52 (47); Lawrence: 238 (213); Licking: 236 (250); Logan: 129 (116); Lorain: 143 (111); Lucas: 77 (67); Madison: 7 (6); Mahoning: 206 (193); Marion: 52 (40); Medina: 128 (97); Meigs: 329 (351); Mercer: 39 (25); Miami: 36 (33); Monroe: 393 (409); Montgomery: 42 (31); Morgan: 173 (227); Morrow: 142 (126); Muskingum: 291 (384); Noble: 277 (315); Ottawa: 0 (1); Paulding: 113 (73); Perry: 188 (240); Pickaway: 16 (19); Pike: 247 (197); Portage: 282 (227); Preble: 112 (117); Putnam: 64 (41); Richland: 173 (206); Ross: 255 (250); Sandusky: 54 (35); Scioto: 301 (267); Seneca: 116 (114); Shelby: 51 (38); Stark: 263 (251); Summit: 62 (50); Trumbull: 327 (289); Tuscarawas: 414 (389); Union: 59 (42); Van Wert: 18 (16); Vinton: 201 (216); Warren: 104 (76); Washington: 301 (346); Wayne: 105 (95); Williams: 226 (221); Wood: 35 (27); Wyandot: 128 (108).

2026 total: 14,886
3-year average total: 14,339


For more information, contact:
Brian Plasters, Division of Wildlife
Phone: 614-601-3836

The Division of Wildlife’s mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all.

05/10/2026

Happy Mothers day to all Moms out there.