Ohio River
Ohio River
- Boat Ramps
- 1
- Access Points
- 1
- Species
- 63
The Ohio River is a massive waterway stretching 981 miles from its origin in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet, to its confluence with the Mississippi River in Cairo, Illinois. Flowing through or bordering six states (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois), the river is divided into numerous navigational pools by a series of locks and dams. Each pool offers unique fishing opportunities, from swift tailwaters at the upper end to still, almost lake-like conditions at the lower end. While major cities like Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Louisville overlook its banks, much of the river remains rural and undeveloped, providing anglers with ample opportunities to escape the crowds. The river's mercurial personality presents both challenges and rewards for anglers of all skill levels, with different sections offering varied habitats for a diverse range of gamefish species.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Ohio 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
Alabama Shad
Alosa alabamae
Alligator Gar
Atractosteus spatula
American Shad
Alosa sapidissima
Bigmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus cyprinellus
Black Buffalo
Ictiobus niger
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Black Redhorse
Moxostoma duquesnei
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Blue Sucker
Cycleptus elongatus
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Brown Bullhead
Ameiurus nebulosus
Burbot
Lota lota
Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Golden Redhorse
Moxostoma erythrurum
Grass Carp
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
Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula
Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
Quillback Carpsucker
Carpiodes cyprinus
Redbreast Sunfish
Lepomis auritus
Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
River Carpsucker
Carpiodes carpio
Fish stocking schedule
Latest 5 stockings
- Hybrid Striped Bass2,100 fish · Fingerlings2026
- Hybrid Striped Bass16,170 fish · Fingerlings2026
- Muskellunge1,521 fish · Yearlings2026
- Blue Catfish2,000 fish · Yearlings2026
- Blue Catfish3,658 fish · Yearlings2026
Source
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Updated Nov 13, 2026. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.
Open stocking page, opens in new tabFishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Ohio 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 Ohio River and check the forecast before you go.
Ohio River at Sewickley, PA
All Flow Stations
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