Fishing the Ohio River
The Ohio River is a vast 981-mile-long fishery. There are over 20 possible species of fish an angler might catch from the sometimes-muddy Ohio River, with some quite large. It is a different fishery for sure, and at times challenging as anglers have to content with a totally unique environment. Still there are fish to be found, and those that fish regularly, like myself, love its power, diversity, and, above all, the mystery of what’s just below the surface.
Fisherman near the Village of Ripley, Ohio, and Dover, Kentucky. Photo by Joe Wolek.
Make the most of the dams and pools
There are 20 dams on the Ohio River. While these dams can present challenges for fishing, some of the best fishing on the entire Ohio River is at the tailraces below these dams. The churning water and increased oxygen levels in the tailraces create an ideal habitat for many fish species, including catfish, sauger, walleye, white, striped, and hybrid bass.
Between the dams, you can take in the serenity of the river on its pools. They’re much like large, long lakes. In the pools and tributaries, you can find fish like sauger, white bass in the spring, channel and flathead catfish, Crappie, largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted (Kentucky) bass.
On the banks of the Ohio near New Richmond, Ohio. Photo by Susan Griffin Ward.
Choosing bait for the Ohio River
When it comes to bait and tackle, you can experiment to find what works best for the specific species you’re targeting. Live bait such as minnows and chubs, shad, skip jacks, nightcrawlers, or stinkbaits can be effective for catching catfish, while artificials such as jibs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or plastics work better for bass or crappie. For stripers and hybrids, rattletraps, and jigs are hard to beat. It’s also essential to match the size and color of your bait and lure to the conditions and the fish you are targeting.
Photo by Oksana Prokhorova.
Take extra steps to stay safe
While the adventure of the Ohio River is alluring, it can be dangerous when the wind kicks up. A seasoned boater knows the weather and it doesn’t take a scientist to know it’s time to head for shore when the horizon turns to dark gray. Additionally, while it can be rewarding, if you choose to fish after hours, give extreme caution and attention to the sights and sounds you hear at night. At night, barges can sneak up without warning, and every summer barge and boat collisions claim lives. It’s a good idea to check the Ohio River Way’s info on safe boating on the river.
Good luck!
Done responsibly, fishing the Ohio River provides unique experiences you can’t find elsewhere. With a bit of luck, you might even be able to catch a giant. In the Ohio’s murky depths, you can even find blue catfish that can grow up to and greater than 100 pounds.
