Anglers, get ready. Ohio will soon start stocking rainbow trout for 2024. Here's when

Chad Murphy, Akron Beacon Journal
·3 min read
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A worker holds a trout at Reynoldsdale State Fish Hatchery in Pennsylvania.
A worker holds a trout at Reynoldsdale State Fish Hatchery in Pennsylvania.

Anglers, get your rod and reel ready. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will soon begin stocking lakes with rainbow trout.

Every spring, the state releases 85,000 rainbow trout into public lakes and ponds, according to ODNR. So if you want to cast a line or launch your fishing boat, here's what to know:

When will Ohio release trout?

Rainbow trout releases will take place across Ohio from March through May, as long as areas are ice-free and accessible to anglers. The rainbow trout are raised at state fish hatcheries and measure 10–13 inches before they are released by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. The daily harvest limit for inland lakes is five trout per angler.

What is Ohio's trout stocking schedule?

In the Greater Cincinnati area, ODNR will stock:

  • Pattison Park Pond, Clermont County (March 22)

  • Reserves Park Pond, Butler County (April 18)

  • Home of the Brave Park Pond, Hamilton County (April 19)

  • Deer Run-Symmes Township Pond, Hamilton County (April 20)

In the Greater Columbus area:

  • Blue Limestone Park, Delaware County (March 20)

  • Heritage Park, Franklin County (March 21)

  • Franklin Park Pond, Franklin County (March 25)

  • Linden Park Pond, Franklin County (March 25)

  • Westgate Park Pond, Franklin County (March 25)

  • Whetstone Park Pond, Franklin County (March 25)

  • Antrim Lake, Franklin County (March 29)

  • Goodale Park Pond, Franklin County (April 1)

  • Krumm Park Pond, Franklin County (April 1)

  • Schiller Park Pond, Franklin County (April 1)

  • Delaware State Park Pond, Delaware County (April 4)

  • Mirror Lake, Licking County (April 13)

  • Franklin Park Pond, Franklin County (April 15)

  • Linden Park Pond, Franklin County (April 15)

  • Westgate Park Pond, Franklin County (April 15)

  • Whetstone Park Pond, Franklin County (April 25)

  • Sunbury Upground Reservoir #2, Delaware County (May 4)

In the Akron/Canton area:

  • Brushwood Lake, Summit County (March 27)

  • Petros Lake, Stark County (March 28)

  • Stadium Park Pond, Stark County (April 4)

  • Little Turtle Pond, Summit County (April 13)

  • Munroe Falls Lake, Summit County (April 17)

The Ohio DNR will release trout in fisheries throughout the state this spring. For a full list, click here.

Haze surrounds Winton Woods Lake as people fish at Winton Woods Park in 2023.
Haze surrounds Winton Woods Lake as people fish at Winton Woods Park in 2023.

Do I need a fishing license?

If you are age 16 or older, yes. A license is required to take fish from Ohio waters, unless you are fishing in a privately owned lake or reservoir. Learn more and purchase your license here.

Ohio free fishing weekend

For two days each year, the state encouraged everyone to fish, no licenses required. In 2024, Ohio's free fishing days are June 15 and 16, according to ODNR's fishing regulations brochure. All size and daily limits apply during these two days.

Ohio fishing regulations

You can fish year-round in the state, but be aware that the laws can be different for fishing specific waters and catching certain fish species. Here's where you can read more about Ohio's fishing regulations.

Ohio fishing resources

ONDR reports that Ohio has 124,000 acres of inland water, 7,000 miles of streams, 2.25 million acres of Lake Erie water, and 481 miles of the Ohio River available for fishing. If that's too much to navigate, the department has made available lake maps, fishing tips by species and an online interactive fishing map that allows you to customize your own fishing maps. Check out all the resources available here.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ohio stocking rainbow trout for 2024, sets free fishing weekend