Waynesville OH
1-21-2026 8:38pm

ODNR Stocks Ohio’s Waterways with 36M Fish in 2025

Channel catfish are stocked in Ohio as catchable size fish, yearling fish, or advanced fingerlings.

Story and photos courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources

COLUMBUS, Ohio – More than 36 million fish were stocked by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife in Ohio’s public lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in 2025. Eleven different species of fish were stocked at 233 locations statewide.

Annual fish stockings play an important role in providing excellent fishing for Ohio’s 827,000 licensed anglers. The Division of Wildlife operates six state fish hatcheries that raise sport fish for stocking in Ohio waters, expanding fishing opportunities for anglers. Ohio’s hatcheries raise saugeye, walleye, yellow perch, rainbow trout, steelhead trout, brown trout, muskellunge, hybrid-striped bass, blue catfish, channel catfish, and bluegill. 

Most of Ohio’s fish populations are sustained through natural spawning, such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and walleye in Lake Erie; however, stocking expands and diversifies fishing opportunities in waters where existing habitats do not support some fish reproduction.

The 36 million fish stocked in Ohio last year were of five life stages: 25.5 million fry, 10 million fingerlings, 258,925 advanced fingerlings, 493,840 yearlings, and 117,942 catchable size fish. These life stages included the following sport fish:

  • Fry (less than 1 inch long): saugeye (13.1 million), walleye (8.5 million), yellow perch (2.1 million), hybrid-striped bass (1.2 million), and triploid saugeye (449,595).
  • Fingerling (1 to 2 inches long): saugeye (4.8 million), walleye (2.9 million), yellow perch (1.9 million), triploid saugeye (214,403), and hybrid-striped bass (119,256).
  • Advanced fingerlings (6 to 12 inches long): blue catfish (133,940), channel catfish (112,036), and muskellunge (12,949).
  • Yearling fish (7 to 12 inches long): brown trout (19,913), channel catfish (9,389), and steelhead trout (464,538).
  • Catchable size fish (6 inches or longer): channel catfish (7,275), bluegill (7,371), and rainbow trout (103,296).

In 2025, saugeye were stocked in Grand Lake St. Marys. These specific saugeye are sterile and unable to reproduce. The saugeye in Grand Lake St. Marys will increase angling opportunities and are incapable of breeding with wild walleye. 

Millions of saugeye are stocked annually in Ohio as fry and fingerlings. They soon grow to catchable sizes.

The Division of Wildlife’s current and historical fish stocking records can be viewed via the DataOhio portal in the Fish Stocking Database. Use the dataset to explore stocking locations and plan your next outing. Anglers ages 16 and older are required to hold a valid Ohio fishing license on all public waters. Check the current fishing regulations booklet before your next trip.

Ohio’s state fish hatcheries are open to the public and offer activities such as birding, hiking, and archery. Each fish hatchery will host an open house in 2026: March 28 (St. Marys), April 4 (Hebron and Senecaville), Aprill 11 (Castalia), April 18 (Kincaid), and April 25 (London). Each open house runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Since 1950, the Sport Fish Restoration program has dedicated permanent funding to fishery conservation through federal excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats, and the portion of the gasoline fuel tax attributable to small engines and motorboats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service annually apportions these funds that the Division of Wildlife uses to produce and stock fish, acquire habitat, conduct research and assessment surveys, provide aquatic education, and secure fishing access.

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.In 2025, saugeye were stocked in Grand Lake St. Marys. These specific saugeye are sterile and unable to reproduce. The saugeye in Grand Lake St. Marys will increase angling opportunities and are incapable of breeding with wild walleye.

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