Fishing

Webcam

The fishing is so much better in person, but if you’re at your desk looking on a computer, we understand. Don’t worry, the lake’s not going anywhere. Check out the nearby attractions and events listed below!

(Please note that sometimes a cam might be offline. If so, we are working hard behind the scenes to get it back online as soon as possible. We love showing you the amazing views that Shores & Islands Ohio has to offer.)

Fish Camera

This webcam is located at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery

Fishing Made Possible by the Castalia State Fish Hatchery:

Rainbow Trout are produced to provide "put-take" fishing statewide each spring.
Steelhead are produced to provide world-class fishing opportunities in Lake Erie and its tributaries.

The Castalia State Fish Hatchery was originally built in 1937 by a private trout club and purchased by the ODNR division of Wildlife in 1997. The hatchery was most recently renovated in 2012 to enclose the raceway and build a new production building. Using the Blue Hole aquifer spring located on the property as the primary water source, and a diversion of Cold Creek as a secondary water source, the hatchery produced 58,932 "catchable" rainbow trout and 466,132 steelhead trout. The hatchery features 70 indoor raceways, 3 outdoor raceways, and 2 production buildings manned by 4 full-time and 2 seasonal personnel.

Activities:

Unique fishing opportunities are provided on Cold Creek for adults and youths selected via lottery. Applications are taken online during March.
Fly fishing classes are held during late summer/early fall on Cold Creek, contact Wildlife District 2 HQ for more information.
Special controlled deer hunts are available each fall.
Self-guided tours are permitted Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, except on holidays. Guided tours are available by appointment for larger groups.

Sport Fish Restoration Logo Ohio Division of Wildlife Fish Hatcheries:

The Division operates six fish hatcheries that produce more than 40 million fish each year. Many Ohio fishing opportunities would not be available without fish production, stocking, management, and research. Funding is provided by the sales of Ohio fishing licenses and the Sport Fish Restoration Act, a federal aid program supported through excise taxes on select fishing tackle and marine fuel.

LICENSES AND PERMITS

Ohio and federal fishing laws are presented in a summarized form. Ohio laws in their entirety can be found by consulting the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) or the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC). These laws are subject to change. It is the responsibility of the angler to be aware of the most current laws when fishing.

Purchase Your Fishing License Online

Map of License Agents in Ohio

Fishing Reports & Forecasts

ODNR Weekly fishing report

Fishing License Options

Annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Annual and multiyear fishing licenses are valid from the date of purchase until the expiration date printed on the license.

A complete list of license options and prices for fishing can be found in the current Ohio Fishing Regulations.

LICENSES & PERMITS

Youth Licenses
Persons under 16 years of age are not required to purchase a fishing license.
Resident Youth Lifetime License*.... $430.56

*Must be purchased before the individual’s 16th birthday

Resident Licenses
Resident 1-Day License....$14.00
Resident 1-Year Upgraded from a 1-Day License* (see below)....$12.00
Resident 1-Year License....$25.00
Resident 3-Year License....$72.11
Resident 5-Year License....$120.18
Resident 10-Year License....$240.36
Resident Lifetime License....$599.04

Resident Senior Licenses
Resident 1-Year License....$10.00
Resident 3-Year License....$27.04
Resident 5-Year License....$45.07
Resident Lifetime License....$84.24

Nonresident Licenses
Nonresident 1-Day License....$14.00
Nonresident 1-Year License Upgraded from a 1-Day* (see below)....$37.44
Nonresident 3-Day License....$25.00
Nonresident 1-Year License....$50.96

Card and Duplicate
Resident Ohio Conservation Card....$4.00
Duplicate License - Free reprints are available at wildohio.gov....$4.00

*A one-day fishing license may be applied as credit toward the purchase of an annual license

ABOUT LICENSES & PERMITS

Multiyear Fishing Licenses (Ohio Residents Only)
A multiyear license allows an Ohio resident the opportunity to lock-in rates and avoid transaction fees for the length of the license. These licenses can be purchased for 3 years, 5 years, or 10 years. Permits and stamps must be purchased annually.

Multiyear license customers may pay additional fee for hard plastic license (Ohio Conservation Card) if desired.

Lifetime Fishing Licenses (Ohio Residents Only)
A lifetime license creates an Ohio tradition that lasts a lifetime! A lifetime license, purchased for yourself or as a gift, provides a lifetime of outdoors enjoyment, regardless of where they live in the future. The cost of the license offers considerable savings and convenience to the holder and supports conservation programs. Revenue generated by lifetime licenses provide long-term financial support for Ohio’s fish and wildlife.

All Lifetime license holders will be mailed a plastic card (Ohio Conservation Card) to serve as their license.

License Requirements

A fishing license is required to take fish from Ohio waters.
A fishing license is required to take frogs or turtles on public and private property.
Persons fishing in privately owned ponds, lakes, or reservoirs that are open to public fishing through an agreement or lease with the ODNR Division of Wildlife are required to have a fishing license.
Persons fishing must have their license in their possession while fishing and must show the license to anyone on request. Licenses can be displayed using a mobile device.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty stationed in Ohio, but not on leave or furlough are required to purchase a resident license.

License Exemptions

A fishing license is not required of persons who are:

Less than 16 years of age. This includes frogs and turtles
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
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
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
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)
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty while on leave or furlough
All Ohio residents may fish without a license on Free Fishing Days (consult the fishing regulations for dates)

Free License Eligibility

Ohio residents born on or before December 31, 1937 can obtain a free license at any license outlet or online
The following Ohio residents are also eligible for a free license, but must submit a formal application (Form DNR 9032), which is available by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543)
Persons who are mobility impaired and required the assistance of another person to cast and retrieve
Holders of veteran license plates displaying the international wheelchair symbol
Certain veterans who are permanently disabled
Residents of state and county institutions
Former prisoners of war

Ohio's Wildlife Licensing System

Customers with internet access can visit the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System to obtain products or manage their customer account with the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Purchase Licenses and Permits
Any license, permit, or a duplicate license can be obtained through the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System. Customers are required to have an account and update their customer record prior to making a purchase. Licenses and permits can be printed as required when payment is made.

Complete Game Check
Once the harvested animal is tagged, hunters have the option to complete the game check process online.

Lottery Application
Lottery applications for controlled deer hunts, waterfowl hunts, and fishing opportunities can be purchased through the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System. Available opportunities will be listed on the license selection page when applications are accepted. Applicants will receive an email after lottery drawings have been completed.

Wild Ohio Store
The Wild Ohio Store is where customers can purchase non-license products from the Division of Wildlife. Available products include Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamps, Wild Ohio Magazine memberships, gift certificates, and donations.

Hunter and Trapper Education Classes
All hunters and trappers must complete an education course prior to purchasing any hunting license or trapping permit, except an apprentice license. Enrollment information and previous certifications can be viewed using the Manage Your Customer Account link in Ohio's Wildlife Licensing System.

Manage Your Customer Account
Customers have access to view and update their customer information by viewing the Manage Your Customer Account link in the Ohio's Wildlife Licensing System. Customers can also view their hunter and trapper course registrations, print their customer ID card which indicates their course certifications, view their licenses and game check for the current year, view their lottery applications and results, and view the status of their Wild Ohio Magazine membership and gift certificates. Please note only the current license year information is available. Please call 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) if previous license or game check information is required or errors are identified.