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.
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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
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Ohio's record muskie: Weighed 55.1 pounds and measured 50.25 inches long, caught in Piedmont Lake in 1972.
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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!
