3-17-2026 9:34pm

Celebrate a Trophy Catch with a Fish Ohio Pin

Beth Callahan Editor

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife awarded 10,127 Fish Ohio pins to anglers who reeled in trophy fish among 26 different species in 2025. Well-known fisheries such as Lake Erie, Alum Creek Lake, Buckeye Lake, Caesar Creek Lake, Indian Lake, and Mosquito Creek Lake were among the most popular locations for Fish Ohio catches.

Those who reel in a qualifying catch receive the commemorative Fish Ohio pin for their first entry and a Master Angler pin for catching qualifiers of four different species in the same year. Last year, 1,009 anglers were awarded a Master Angler pin. Since the Fish Ohio program began in 1976, more than 430,000 catches have been recognized. In 2026, the program celebrates its 50th anniversary.

A qualifying catch for the program has specific length requirements based on the fish species. Applications for a Fish Ohio pin and minimum length requirements are found at fishohio.gov. The 2026 Fish Ohio pin features a channel catfish. The 2025 pin depicted a largemouth bass on a bright green background.

Lake Erie
Lake Erie had the most Fish Ohio submissions of all public waters in 2025 with 3,867 qualifying fish caught. Lake Erie is a terrific spot to catch a Fish Ohio-qualifying walleye and many other species. The Walleye Capital of the World has a strong population lake-wide. In 2025, anglers submitted 1,326 Fish Ohio walleye that measured a minimum of 28 inches long.

Lake Erie anglers reeled in smallmouth bass, steelhead trout, and yellow perch of impressive sizes in 2025, and reported 608 Fish Ohio channel catfish. Find Lake Erie fishing resources at wildohio.gov.

Inland waters
Fish Ohio records show that channel catfish, saugeye, crappie, and smallmouth bass are four of the most popular sport fish in inland waters across the Buckeye State. In inland waters, a channel catfish longer than 26 inches, a saugeye longer than 21 inches, a crappie longer than 13 inches, or a smallmouth bass longer than 18 inches qualifies for Fish Ohio status.

Channel catfish
Channel catfish grow large and consume a wide variety of foods, making them one of Ohio’s most popular sport fish. The top three inland destinations for Fish Ohio channel catfish in 2025 were the Sandusky River, Mosquito Creek Lake, and the Maumee River.

Channel catfish can be blue, gray, silver, or almost black in color with a paler belly and eight whisker-like barbels. They are most active at night and can be caught on a variety of baits, and are found in most of Ohio’s large lakes, rivers, and streams.

Saugeye
A hybrid between a walleye and a sauger, saugeye are stocked in more than 60 lakes by the Division of Wildlife. These fast-growing fish thrive in Ohio’s inland waters and can be caught year-round, with 767 saugeye submitted to the Fish Ohio program in 2025. Inland lake anglers caught Fish Ohio saugeye most often in Indian Lake, Buckeye Lake, and Alum Creek Lake.

Saugeye are identified by the dark bars or vertical spots between the spines of the first dorsal fin. They also have dark, oblong patches along their sides. They prey on gizzard shad and other small fish.

Crappie
Black crappie and white crappie are abundant in Ohio. A black crappie has irregular blotches or spots along its sides, while a white crappie is distinguished by more uniform dark vertical stripes. Top Fish Ohio crappie destinations were Mosquito Creek Lake, Buckeye Lake, and Alum Creek Lake. Crappies are often found near structures like drop-offs, points, creek beds, brush piles, and fallen trees. These feisty sport fish are often caught on light tackle.

Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass are found in streams, rivers, and larger lakes across Ohio, and their reputation for fighting hard when hooked makes them an often-targeted sport fish. Ohio’s top three inland waters for smallmouth bass in 2025 were the Great Miami River, Alum Creek Lake, and the Scioto River.

Smallmouth bass have dark vertical bars along their side with a brown or bronze colored background. Tube jigs, spinners, topwater poppers, and crankbaits on an ultralight spinning rod are great lure choices for smallmouths. Last year, 894 Fish Ohio smallmouth bass were reported from inland waters.

The Division of Wildlife has many resources available to assist anglers, including lake maps, fishing tips by species, and fishing forecasts. Many of these resources are available at your fingertips with the HuntFish OH mobile app. Fishing regulations and an interactive fishing map can be located with ease from any mobile device. Get started fishing with Wild Ohio Harvest, which provides online learning modules, in-person classes, recipes, and more.

For more information on fishing tips and forecasts, go to wildohio.gov. Remember to purchase an Ohio license before fishing in public waters. An Ohio resident license is $25. It is valid for one year from its purchase date and is required of all anglers ages 16 and older. Ohio residents can fish without a license during the state’s Free Fishing Days on June 20-21, 2026.

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.