Ohio's Muskie Madness: 20,000 Fish Stocked in Lakes

22 Sep, 2024
Posted by: Zachery McKinney

Get Ready for Trophy Fishing

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is gearing up for exciting fishing this fall by releasing a whopping 20,000 muskellunge into inland lakes across the state. These fast-growing predators offer anglers a chance to catch trophy-sized fish and even earn a Fish Ohio award for those landing a muskie measuring 40 inches or more.

Muskellunge: The Apex Predator

Appearance: Muskies are long, slender fish with a distinctive duckbill-shaped mouth and sharp teeth. They sport dark spots or wavy lines on their light-colored bodies.
Size: They can grow over 50 inches long, with rapid growth in the first five years.
Fish Ohio Award: Catch a muskie 40 inches or longer and earn a coveted Fish Ohio award, which has historically included a collectible pin.

Lakes Stocked with Muskellunge

Nine lakes across Ohio will be stocked with 10- to 12-inch muskies this fall:

Alum Creek Lake
C.J. Brown Reservoir
Caesar Creek Lake
Clearfork Reservoir
Lake Milton
Leesville Lake
Piedmont Lake
West Branch Reservoir
Salt Fork Lake

Where to Find the Biggest Muskies

In 2023, these lakes produced the most Fish Ohio-eligible muskies:

West Branch Reservoir (102 entries)
Leesville Lake (48)
Piedmont Lake (42)
Alum Creek Lake (24)
Salt Fork Lake (18)

State Record and Licensing

Ohio's record muskie: Weighed 55.1 pounds and measured 50.25 inches long, caught in Piedmont Lake in 1972.
Fishing license: Required for anglers 16 and older.
- Annual license: $25
- One-day license: $14 (can be credited towards an annual license)

Get ready to cast your line and experience the thrill of muskie fishing in Ohio this fall!