Indiana Ohio River Fishing Regulations
Main stem limits shared with Kentucky, dam tailwater rules and minnow gear along the southern border.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Ohio River: William Alden, CC BY-SA 2.0
Ohio River rows that replace the Indiana statewide chart
Fishing on the Ohio These regulations are the result of a cooperative effort by Indiana and five other Ohio River states. In many cases, these rules differ significantly from other laws and regulations in Indiana. These rules and regulations apply only to the main stem of the Ohio River and do not include the tributaries or embayments for which general Indiana fishing regulations apply. An agreement between Indiana and Kentucky allows that each state will recognize the fishing license issued by the other state on the main stem of the Ohio River, excluding embayments and tributaries. This means anglers can fish the Ohio River bank to bank with a license issued by either state. To fish Indiana or Kentucky embayments or tributaries, a license from that state must be obtained. An angler must abide by the regulations of the state by which they are licensed, except when fishing from the bank. When fishing from the bank, anglers shall follow the regulations of the state in which they are fishing. An unlimited number of poles, hand lines, or free-float lines, and not more than 2 trot lines m
| Fish as printed | Daily | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | 6, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass | 12 inches No size limit on spotted bass |
| Hybrid striped, striped, white and yellow bass | 30, any combination of hybrid, striped, white, or yellow bass | No more than four fish may be 15 inches or longer |
| Rock Bass | 15 | no size limit |
| Blue Catfish | Unlimited | 13 inches; no more than one may be 35 inches or longer |
| Channel Catfish | Unlimited | 13 inches; no more than one may be 28 inches or longer |
| Flathead Catfish | Unlimited | 13 inches; no more than one may be 35 inches or longer |
| Crappie | 30 | no size limit |
| Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge | 2, any combination of muskellunge or tiger muskellunge | 30 inches |
| Walleye, sauger and saugeye | 6, any combination of walleye, sauger, or hybrid walleye | 14 inches |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Unlimited | 25 inches (fork length) |
Ohio River rows and reciprocity as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
The Indiana and Kentucky license agreement
Indiana and Kentucky — Ohio River — The reciprocal agreement allows residents of either state to fish the river proper (main stem) with either state’s fishing license. If you are fishing in a connecting tributary/embayment you'll need to have a fishing license for that particular state.
Border water text as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Pole-and-line water below the Ohio River dams
Where to Fish on the Ohio Fishing within 200 yards below any dam on the Ohio River can only be done with a fishing pole or hand line. Fishing sites include: J.T. Myers Dam (Uniontown Dam)—15 miles southwest of Mount Vernon in Posey County, accessible at Hovey Lake Fish & Wildlife Area Newburgh Dam—in the town of Newburgh off SR 66 Cannelton Dam—follow Taylor Street south from SR 66 in Cannelton McAlpine Dam—located at Clarksville Falls of the Ohio State Park—accessible boat ramp located at George Rogers Clark Homesite in Clarksville (Access at New Albany off of Water Street in Jaycee Riverfront Park) Markland Dam—near Markland in Switzerland County. Accessible at DamVue River Camp or Vevay boat ramp Access fees may be charged at some sites. See map below for dam locations. Map of Indiana’s Wabash and Ohio rivers showing major dam locations including J.T. Myers, Newburgh,
Ohio River rows and reciprocity as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Taking minnows and crayfish from the Ohio
Minnows & Crayfish Minnows and crayfish can be taken from the Ohio River only by the following methods: A minnow trap that does not exceed 3 feet long and 18 inches in diameter and does not have a throat opening greater than 2 inches in diameter A dip net no more than 3 feet in diameter A minnow seine no more than 30 feet long and 6 feet deep that does not have a mesh size larger than ¼ inch bar mesh A cast net not to exceed 20 feet in diameter that does not have a mesh size larger than ¾ inch stretch
Ohio River rows and reciprocity as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
The 12-inch bass rule on streams in the Ohio River counties
12-inch minimum size limit (5 bass daily limit): All rivers and streams in Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Spencer, Perry, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Clark, Jefferson, Switzerland, Ohio, and Dearborn counties (with the exception of the Blue River, where the slot limit applies in Crawford, Harrison, and Washington counties).
Bass rules as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Crossroads-state water photographed for Indiana Ohio River Fishing Regulations
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Warren LeMay, CC0 1.0
Ohio River rule questions
Can I fish the Ohio River with a Kentucky license?
Yes on the main stem, bank to bank; tributaries and embayments need the license of the state they lie in.
How many bass can I keep from the Ohio River?
Six in any combination of largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, 12 inches or longer, with no size limit on spotted bass.
What is the Ohio River crappie limit?
30 a day with no size limit.
How many white bass and hybrids?
30 combined hybrid striped, striped, white and yellow bass, with no more than four 15 inches or longer.
What are the catfish rules on the Ohio?
No bag limit for blue, channel and flathead catfish, a 13-inch minimum, and only one blue or flathead 35 inches or longer and one channel catfish 28 inches or longer.
Are limb lines allowed on the Ohio River?
No. The 2026 guide prohibits limb lines and bank poles on the Ohio River.
Can I fish right below an Ohio River dam?
Within 200 yards below any dam only with a pole or hand line.
What is the walleye and sauger rule on the Ohio?
Six combined walleye, sauger and saugeye, 14 inches or longer.