By 1808Delaware
The Ohio Wildlife Council recently approved changes to site-specific fishing regulations and set the dates for the 2025 spring wild turkey hunting season. These updates, announced by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, will bring new guidelines for anglers and hunters across Ohio starting next year.
Fishing Regulation Changes for Ohio’s Lakes
Starting January 1, 2025, Ohio’s inland fishing regulations will see notable adjustments. The Wildlife Council has decided to remove the 15-inch minimum length requirement for walleye, saugeye, and sauger on several popular fishing spots, including:
- Acton Lake
- Alum Creek Lake
- Atwood Lake
- Buckeye Lake
- Caesar Creek Lake
- Ferguson Reservoir
- Findlay Reservoir 1 & 2
- Indian Lake
- Metzger Reservoir
- Piedmont Lake
- Pleasant Hill Lake
- Rocky Fork Lake
- Seneca Lake
- Tappan Lake
This change allows anglers on these lakes to harvest these species without adhering to a minimum size limit, an adjustment aimed at aligning local fishery management practices with ecological needs.
On the other hand, Mosquito Creek Lake and LaDue Reservoir will adopt a new 15-inch minimum length requirement for walleye, saugeye, and sauger, a regulation designed to help maintain healthy fish populations and enhance angling opportunities in these waters.
2025 Wild Turkey Hunting Season
The council has also announced the dates for the 2025 spring wild turkey hunting seasons, tailored to the state’s two hunting zones. The spring season is divided between the south zone, covering 83 counties across the majority of Ohio, and the northeast zone, which includes Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties.
The hunting dates are as follows:
- Youth Season: April 12-13, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday)
- South Zone: April 19 to May 18, 2025
- Northeast Zone: May 3 to June 1, 2025
The division into zones allows for staggered hunting schedules that align with turkey nesting times, ensuring that the wild turkey population can sustain these hunting periods while continuing to thrive across the state.
Ohio Wildlife Council: Open for Public Participation
The Ohio Wildlife Council is an eight-member board responsible for reviewing and approving all Division of Wildlife proposals. Those interested in voicing their perspectives at council meetings can attend in person, with each session open to the public. Individuals wishing to provide input are encouraged to call 614-265-6304 two days in advance to register, with a speaking time limit of three minutes.
For a complete guide to Ohio’s fishing, hunting, and trapping seasons and regulations, please visit wildohio.gov.
