Hocking River
Hocking River
- Boat Ramps
- 25
- Access Points
- 25
- Species
- 36
The Hocking River is a 102-mile long waterway that winds through Fairfield, Hocking, and Athens counties in Ohio before joining the Ohio River. Designated as an exceptional warmwater habitat by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Hocking River ecosystem supports 75 species of fish and nearly 400 macroinvertebrate species. The river and its tributaries create diverse fishing opportunities in scenic surroundings, from the faster-flowing sections in the upper reaches to the deeper pools near Athens. The river's water quality has significantly improved over the years, making it an increasingly popular destination for anglers seeking a variety of fish species in a beautiful natural setting.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Hocking 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
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Black Redhorse
Moxostoma duquesnei
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
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 Redhorse
Moxostoma breviceps
Spotted Bass
Micropterus punctulatus
White Bass
Morone chrysops
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
White Sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Yellow Bullhead
Ameiurus natalis
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Hocking 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.
Know where you can legally fish on Hocking 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.
West Virginia licenses and regulations
West Virginia 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.
West Virginia Fishing License
All anglers who are at the age of 15 and older are required to have a fishing license and a valid form of identification such as a State Issued ID or Driver's License while fishing.
West Virginia 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.
West Virginia Stream Access Laws
On navigable waters, the public may use the streambed up to the high water mark. On floatable waters, the public may float through private land but cannot legally use the streambed. Public rights on non-navigable waters are not well defined, but are likely none.
Take Hocking 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 Hocking River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Hocking 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 Hocking River and check the forecast before you go.
Hocking River at Enterprise OH
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