Ohio River
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Ohio River Fishing
Ohio launches, gauges and unit limits along the Ohio River.
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Ohio River
the Ohio River from the Ohio side
The Ohio River forms the state’s southern and southeastern border for its whole Ohio length, shared with Kentucky in the Western Unit and West Virginia in the Eastern Unit of the booklet.
The ODNR launch inventory lists 76 public launches on the Ohio side in 14 counties, and USGS runs 7 gauges along the main stem used here. The Western Unit covers Lawrence County west of South Point, and Scioto, Adams, Brown, Clermont, and Hamilton counties; the Eastern Unit covers Lawrence County east of South Point, and Gallia, Meigs, Athens, Washington, Monroe, Belmont, Jefferson, and Columbiana counties.
76public launches
14Ohio counties
7USGS gauges
2booklet units
ODNR Parks and Watercraft boating facilities and USGS, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Launches
Boat entry points on the Ohio River
- Brush Creek Campground launch on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 45 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Adams County, Manchester
- Manchester – Island Creek Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 3 lanes, 50 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Adams County, Manchester
- Manchester – Kinfolk Landing on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 20 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Adams County, Manchester
- Rome Village Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Adams County, Rome
- Athens Boat and Ski Club on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Athens County, Hockingport
- Eddies Marina on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 10 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Athens County, Hockingport
- Powhatan Point Boat Launch on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 3 lanes, 120 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Belmont County, Powhatan Point
- Shadyside Marina on Ohio Riverboat ramp, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Belmont County, Shadyside
- Village of Bellaire Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 25 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Belmont County, Bellaire
- Aberdeen Village Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 3 lanes, 28 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Brown County, Abderdeen
- Eagle Creek Marina on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 44 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Brown County, Ripley
- Freedom Landing on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 6 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Brown County, Ripley
- Lite House Marina/Down by the Riverside on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 20 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Brown County, Georgetown
- Rigdon Boat Dock on Ohio Riverboat ramp, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Brown County, Aberdeen
- Ripley Boat Club on Ohio Riverboat ramp, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Brown County, Ripley
- Straight Creek Marina on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 35 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Brown County, Ripley
- Tara Villa launch on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 20 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Brown County, Ripley
- White Oak Creek Marina on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 4 lanes, 30 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Brown County, Higginsport
- Augusta Street Public Boat Launch on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 24 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Clermont County, New Richmond
- Broadwell Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 4 lanes, 10 trailer spaces, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Clermont County, Felicity
- Chilo Lock # 34 Park on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 52 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Clermont County, Chilo
- Moran Marina on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Clermont County, New Richmond
- Moscow Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 4 lanes, 24 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Clermont County, Moscow
- Neville Boat Ramp Launch on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 48 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Clermont County, Neville
- Steam Boat Marina & Riverfront Café on Ohio Riverboat ramp, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Clermont County, New Richmond
- The Landing on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Clermont County, New Richmond
- Broadway Wharf launch on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 45 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Columbiana County, East Liverpool
- Jim Kenney Park on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Columbiana County, Wellsville
- Gallipolis City Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 3 lanes, 30 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Gallia County, Gallipolis
- K. H. Butler Access on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 3 lanes, 84 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Gallia County, Crown City
- Village of Cheshire Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 3 lanes, 12 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Gallia County, Cheshire
- Aces Marina on Ohio Riverboat ramp, 15 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Hamilton County, Cincinnati
- Anderson Ferry launch on Ohio Riverboat ramp, 3 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Hamilton County, Cincinnati
- Catalina Harbor on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 20 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Hamilton County, Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Riverfront Marina on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 14 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Hamilton County, Cincinnati
- Four Seasons Marina on Ohio Riverboat ramp, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Hamilton County, Cincinnati
- Riverside Boat Launch on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 3 lanes, 67 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Hamilton County, Cincinnati
- Schmidt Field Park & Boat Launch/Schmidt Recreation Complex on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 4 lanes, 78 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Hamilton County, Cincinnati
- Woodland Mound Boat Ramp on Ohio Rivergravel ramp, 1 lane, 42 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Hamilton County, Cincinnati
- Captain Cooks launch on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 100 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Jefferson County, Toronto
- Mingo Junction Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 3 lanes, 20 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Jefferson County, Mingo Junction
- Newburg Landing on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 12 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Jefferson County, Toronto
- Rayland Marina on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 4 lanes, 89 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Jefferson County, Rayland
- Steubenville Marina on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 100 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Jefferson County, Steubenville
- The Boathouse launch on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 72 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Jefferson County, Toronto
- Center Street Landing on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 40 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Lawrence County, Ironton
- Indian Guyan Creek Access on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 30 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Lawrence County, Bradrick
- Old Lock and Dam # 27 launch on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 35 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Lawrence County, Rome
- Symmes Creek Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 50 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Lawrence County, Chesapeake
- Village South Point on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 10 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Lawrence County, South Point
- Village of Coal Grove Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 30 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Lawrence County, Coal Grove
- Apple Grove Wildlife Area on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 5 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Meigs County, Letart
- Forked Run Wildlife Access on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 22 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Meigs County, Long Bottom
- Middleport Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 70 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Meigs County, Middleport
- Old Lock 24 Campground launch on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Meigs County, Racine
- Pomeroy City Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Meigs County, Pomeroy
- Racine Village Ramp on Ohio Riverboat ramp, 10 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Meigs County, Racine
- Syracuse Village Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 25 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Meigs County, Syracuse
- Clarington Village Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 6 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Monroe County, Clarington
- Gravel pile Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 50 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Monroe County, Clarington
- Monroe County Park District Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 84 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Monroe County, Sardis
- Valley Boat Docks on Ohio Riverboat ramp, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Monroe County, Duffy
- Burkes Point on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 50 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Scioto County, Wheelersburg
- Ginat Run Public Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 3 lanes, 26 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Scioto County, Franklin Furnace
- Holiday Point Marina on Ohio Riverboat ramp, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Scioto County, Franklin Furnace
- Offnere St. Ramp/Doyle's Landing Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 25 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Scioto County, Portsmouth
- Portsmouth Court Street Landing on Ohio Riverboat ramp, 13 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Scioto County, Portsmouth
- Shawnee Boat Club on Ohio Riverboat ramp, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Scioto County, Portsmouth
- Shawnee State Park Marina on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 6 lanes, 138 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Scioto County, Portsmouth
- Belpre Public Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 3 lanes, 72 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Washington County, Belpre
- Frontier Boat Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 70 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Washington County, Grandview
- Leith Run Recreation Area – Wayne National Forest on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 2 lanes, 50 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Washington County, Newport
- Marietta City Docks on Ohio Riverboat ramp, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Washington County, Marietta
- New Matamoras Village Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Washington County, New Metamoras
- Newport Ferry Ramp on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 25 trailer spaces, no launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Washington County, Newport
- The Landings Family Campground on Ohio Riverconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 40 trailer spaces, launch fee, unlimited horsepower; Washington County, Marietta
Launch counts by county: Brown 9, Clermont 8, Hamilton 8, Meigs 7, Scioto 7, Washington 7, Jefferson 6, Lawrence 6, Adams 4, Monroe 4, Belmont 3, Gallia 3, Athens 2, Columbiana 2.
ODNR Parks and Watercraft boating facilities (launch lanes, parking and fees as inspected), retrieved October 26, 2026.
Gauges
Current gauge data on the Ohio River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio River At Hannibal Lock And Dam (upper), Oh | 13.30 ft gage height | Oct 27 6:15 pm |
| Ohio River At Hannibal Lock And Dam (lower), Oh | 12.37 ft gage height | Oct 27 6:15 pm |
| Ohio River Above Sardis, Oh | 12.53 ft gage height | Oct 27 5:45 pm |
| Ohio River At Marietta, Oh | 15.92 ft gage height | Oct 27 6:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 27, 2026 6:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
- Ohio River at Hannibal Lock and Dam (upper), OHgauge height 13.17 ft on October 26, 2026
- Ohio River at Hannibal Lock and Dam (lower), OHgauge height 12.35 ft on October 26, 2026
- Ohio River above Sardis, OHgauge height 12.53 ft on October 26, 2026
- Ohio River at Marietta, OHgauge height 15.89 ft on October 26, 2026
- Ohio River at Ironton, OHgauge height 34.66 ft on October 26, 2026
- Ohio River at Portsmouth, OHgauge height 15.99 ft on October 26, 2026
- Ohio River at Cincinnati, OHgauge height 26.45 ft on October 26, 2026
USGS instantaneous values, provisional; listed readings retrieved October 26, 2026. No Corps lock and pool data were reachable for this page.
Limits
Size and bag rules, the Ohio River
| Species | Unit | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | OHIO REGULATIONS: boat anglers in Ohio waters, shoreline anglers on the Ohio shoreline, all anglers in Ohio embayments and tributaries within the West | 6 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | Open year-round |
| Black & White Crappie | UNIFIED OHIO AND KENTUCKY REGULATIONS: on or within a quarter mile of the Ohio River on its embayments and tributaries to the first riffle or dam in t | 30 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
| Muskellunge | UNIFIED OHIO AND KENTUCKY REGULATIONS: on or within a quarter mile of the Ohio River on its embayments and tributaries to the first riffle or dam in t | 2; minimum 30 inches | Open year-round |
| Striped, Hybrid-Striped, & White Bass | UNIFIED OHIO AND KENTUCKY REGULATIONS: on or within a quarter mile of the Ohio River on its embayments and tributaries to the first riffle or dam in t | 30 (no more than 4 over 15 inches) | Open year-round |
| Walleye, Sauger, & Saugeye | UNIFIED OHIO AND KENTUCKY REGULATIONS: on or within a quarter mile of the Ohio River on its embayments and tributaries to the first riffle or dam in t | 6 (singly or in combination); minimum 14 inches | Open year-round |
| Black & White Crappie | OHIO REGULATIONS: shore anglers on the Ohio shoreline and all anglers in Ohio embayments and tributaries within the Eastern Unit | 30 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
| Walleye, Sauger, & Saugeye | OHIO REGULATIONS: shore anglers on the Ohio shoreline and all anglers in Ohio embayments and tributaries within the Eastern Unit | 6 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | UNIFIED OHIO AND WEST VIRGINIA REGULATIONS: on or within a quarter mile of the Ohio River on its embayments and tributaries to the first riffle or dam | 6 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | Open year-round |
| Muskellunge | UNIFIED OHIO AND WEST VIRGINIA REGULATIONS: on or within a quarter mile of the Ohio River on its embayments and tributaries to the first riffle or dam | 2; minimum 30 inches | Open year-round |
| Striped, Hybrid-Striped, & White Bass | UNIFIED OHIO AND WEST VIRGINIA REGULATIONS: on or within a quarter mile of the Ohio River on its embayments and tributaries to the first riffle or dam | 30 (no more than 4 over 15 inches) | Open year-round |
Ohio and its neighbors share the Ohio River rules by unit: the Western Unit rows apply with Kentucky, the Eastern Unit rows with West Virginia.
On the Ohio River an Ohio license covers Ohio waters, the Ohio shoreline and Ohio embayments; residents pay $25.00 a year and nonresidents $76.96.
Limits as printed in the 2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 5085, effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027) and the ODNR Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch daily limits sheet (May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027); retrieved October 26, 2026.
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Ohio records from the Ohio River
| Species | Weight | Length | Angler | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catfish, Blue | 101.11 lb | 56-1/2" | Jaylynn Parker, New Richmond | April 7, 2024 |
| Catfish, Blue | 96 lb | 54-1/2" | Chris Rolph, Williamsburg | June 11, 2009 |
| Gar, Longnose | 25 lb | 49" | Flora Irvin, Cincinnati | Aug 31, 1966 |
Outdoor Writers of Ohio, Ohio Record Fish page, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Charters
Hiring an Ohio guide for the Ohio River
Tackle stops en route to the Ohio River
- Steamboat Marinamarina, New Richmond, under a mile
- Catalina Harbourmarina, Addyston, under a mile
- Morningstar Marinas, 4601 Kellogg Avemarina, Cincinnati, 2 miles
- On the Way Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cincinnati, 2 miles
- Rivertowne Marinamarina, Cincinnati, 2 miles
- Shelter Cove Marinamarina, Cincinnati, 3 miles
- Bob's Baitbait and tackle shop, Toronto, 3 miles
- Misty River Marinamarina, Toronto, under a mile
- Ohio River Fish Bait Companybait and tackle shop, Yorkville, 2 miles
- Pooles Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Steubenville, 3 miles
- Gone Fishing Live Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Ironton, 3 miles
- The Tackle Boxbait and tackle shop, South Point, under a mile
- Wings Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, South Point, under a mile
- Holiday Point Marinamarina, Franklin Furnace, under a mile
- Backwater Baitsbait and tackle shop, Newport, 1 mile
- Harmar Docksidemarina, Marietta, under a mile
- Hornbeck's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Belpre, 3 miles
- The Marietta Harbormarina, Marietta, under a mile
Yellow Pages charter and guide listings and Ohio shop listings, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Tournaments
Tournaments on the Ohio River
Ohio River events and results have a page of their own.
Elsewhere
Towns and counties on the Ohio River
- Lake Eriegreat lake
- Cincinnatiriver town, Hamilton County
- Norwoodriver town, Hamilton County
- Portsmouthriver town, Scioto County
- Steubenvilleriver town, Jefferson County
- Mariettariver town, Washington County
- Mackriver town, Hamilton County
- Irontonriver town, Lawrence County
- East Liverpoolriver town, Columbiana County
- Withamsvilleriver town, Clermont County
- Belpreriver town, Washington County
- Torontoriver town, Jefferson County
- Turpin Hillsriver town, Hamilton County
- Brown CountyOhio River county
- Clermont CountyOhio River county
- Hamilton CountyOhio River county
- Meigs CountyOhio River county
- Scioto CountyOhio River county
- Washington CountyOhio River county
- Jefferson CountyOhio River county
- Lawrence CountyOhio River county
- Adams CountyOhio River county
- Monroe CountyOhio River county
- Belmont CountyOhio River county
- Gallia CountyOhio River county
- Athens CountyOhio River county
- Columbiana CountyOhio River county
Piscifun
What to grab from Piscifun before the Ohio River
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Pictures
Shorelines and reservoirs by Ohio River, photographed
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Andrew C, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Todd Fowler, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Nyttend, Public domain
Answers
The usual questions about the Ohio River, sorted
Which license covers the Ohio River from the Ohio side?
On the Ohio River an Ohio license covers Ohio waters, the Ohio shoreline and Ohio embayments; residents pay $25.00 a year and nonresidents $76.96.
How many public launches does Ohio have on the Ohio River?
76 in the ODNR launch inventory, across 14 counties.
Which Ohio county has the most Ohio River launches?
Brown County, with 9 launches on the list.
What are the two Ohio River units in the booklet?
The Western Unit, shared with Kentucky (Lawrence County west of South Point, and Scioto, Adams, Brown, Clermont, and Hamilton counties), and the Eastern Unit, shared with West Virginia (Lawrence County east of South Point, and Gallia, Meigs, Athens, Washington, Monroe, Belmont, Jefferson, and Columbiana counties).
What catfish limit applies on the Ohio River?
See the unit table above.
Where can I see the Ohio River stage?
USGS gauges at Ohio River at Hannibal Lock and Dam (upper), OH, Ohio River at Hannibal Lock and Dam (lower), OH and Ohio River above Sardis, OH report in the gauge band.
Which Ohio records came from the Ohio River?
Blue Catfish 101.11 lb (April 7, 2024); Blue Catfish 96 lb (June 11, 2009); Longnose Gar 25 lb (Aug 31, 1966).
Are lock and pool levels listed here?
No. The Corps lock and pool feeds could not be read for this page, so only the USGS gauges are shown.
Which guides list the Ohio River?
No guide on our Ohio list names the river yet; the shops along it are listed instead.
Run the Ohio River this season
Pick a launch above and check your unit's limits.