The Ohio River is home to world-class fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass. With shore access in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, the 980-mile river is a fisherman's paradise. Bass fishing is a healthy way to enjoy the outdoors, and many sections of the river can also be fished from a canoe, kayak or raft.
Largemouth Bass: Finding Fish
Largemouth bass tend to avoid heavy current and are found in the slower-moving sections of the Ohio River. Weedy backwaters and embayments, along with slow feeder creeks and the still areas above a dam, are typical river largemouth haunts. In spring, as waters warm into the 50s, largemouths move into creeks and embayments to prepare for the spawn, which takes place at about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact time varies along the length of the river, but may take place anywhere from May to late June. Once waters heat up in summer, lagemouths tend to be found in deeper backwaters, up to 6 feet where available. They sometimes move shallow again in fall.
Largemouth Bass: Tips & Techniques
Shallow-running crankbaits, plastic worms and spinnerbaits catch bass as they move into shallow backwaters in spring. these lures should be fished slowly. As water warms up, probe creek mouths with deep-running crankbaits, jigs, and jigging spoons. When fishing the river's main channel, focus on weed beds and woody cover like fallen timber and brush, especially if there is a drop-off nearby. Live bait will also catch largemouths; worms, minnows and crayfish all tempt bites.
Smallmouth Bass: Finding Fish
Smallmouth bass are better-suited to current than their largemouth cousins and avoid backwaters and embayments in favor of the main river. Although smallies are found throughout the Ohio River, the best smallmouth habitat is upstream of the Willow Island Dam. Tailwater areas are especially productive, and bass can be found in rocky areas and in any of the pools. Crayfish are the smallmouth's main forage, so the bass are rarely far from rock or gravel. Smallmouths spawn on main-river flats when water temperatures are in the mid-60s. In summer, look for them in places where a riffle drops into a deep pool, or in holes where the river bends.
Smallmouth Bass: Tips & Techniques
Anytime from spring through fall can produce smallmouths on the Ohio River, but most of the biggest fish are taken in April and early May. Pre-spawn bass can be taken on deep-running crankbaits and jigs tipped with soft plastics in dark, natural shades. If the river is high and muddy, as it can become in spring, try fishing white and chartreuse spinnerbaits around current breaks. As waters warm, cast topwaters along rocky shorelines. Live bait excels for smallmouths; drifting a minnow 4 feet under a float catches fish near islands, in creek mouths, and in tailwaters. Live nightcrawlers and crayfish fished on or near bottom will catch bass when nothing else will.
Licenses & Regulations
The Ohio River flows through several states, so regulations vary slightly along the river. Most areas have a six-fish daily limit for both species (singly or in combination), but length restrictions vary. Fishing licenses are required to fish all parts of the river. In most cases, bordering states will honor fishing licenses from either state when fishing the river. Check specific states' regulations to be sure.
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