Great Miami River

Boat Ramps: 45
Access Points: 45
Species: 47

The Great Miami River is one of Ohio's premier fishing destinations, flowing approximately 160 miles from its headwaters near Indian Lake through west-central Ohio before emptying into the Ohio River west of Cincinnati. This diverse waterway offers exceptional fishing opportunities across multiple counties with varied landscapes, from urban sections in Dayton to scenic rural stretches. Renowned as Ohio's best river for smallmouth bass fishing, the Great Miami supports a remarkably diverse fish population and has produced numerous record-sized catches. With over 157 miles of fishable water and abundant access points, the river provides year-round angling opportunities for both wading and boat fishing, making it a must-visit destination for serious anglers and casual fishing enthusiasts alike.

Ohio licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Great Miami River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Black Buffalo

Ictiobus niger

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Black Redhorse

Moxostoma duquesnei

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Blue Sucker

Cycleptus elongatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Golden Redhorse

Moxostoma erythrurum

Grass Pickerel

Esox americanus

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Highfin Carpsucker

Carpiodes velifer

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Orangespotted Sunfish

Lepomis humilis

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Quillback Carpsucker

Carpiodes cyprinus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

River Carpsucker

Carpiodes carpio

River Redhorse

Moxostoma carinatum

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Sauger

Sander canadensis

Silver Redhorse

Moxostoma anisurum

Skipjack Herring

Alosa chrysochloris

Smallmouth Buffalo

Ictiobus bubalus

Smallmouth Redhorse

Moxostoma breviceps

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

Spotted Sucker

Minytrema melanops

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Great Miami River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

West Branch Marina

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One Stop Fishing Shop

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Know where you can legally fish on Great Miami River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Ohio licenses and regulations

Ohio Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Ohio Fishing License

Persons under 16 years of age are not required to purchase a fishing license.

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Ohio Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Ohio Stream Access Laws

Ohio does not believe there is a precise definition for navigability, so it is determined on a case-by-case basis. However, the state generally accepts waterways capable of recreational boating, with a history of recreation and with public access. The public is allowed to recreate freely on all navigable waters but streambeds are not publicly owned.

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Take Great Miami River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Great Miami River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Great Miami River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Great Miami River and check the forecast before you go.