Measure the Net, Identify Every Fish and Check the Water Before Making Your First Throw
Ohio allows recreational anglers to use cast nets for minnows and designated forage fish, but the net must meet exact diameter and mesh limits. Sport fish and other non-target fish caught in the net must be released immediately and unharmed.
This guide explains what may be kept, how to measure a cast net, where casting is prohibited, how bait may be transported and why posted signs at dams and individual wildlife properties matter.
What Are the Ohio Cast Net Rules?
Ohio allows minnows and designated forage fish to be taken with a cast net. Any other fish caught in the net must be released immediately and unharmed.
The cast net may not have a diameter greater than 10 feet. Its square mesh may not be smaller than ¼ inch or larger than 1 inch on a side.
A cast net may not be used within 1,000 feet downstream from a dam when Ohio Division of Wildlife signs state that cast-net use is prohibited. Individual lakes, wildlife areas and other properties may impose additional posted restrictions.
Most anglers age 16 or older using a cast net in public waters need a standard Ohio fishing license unless a specific exemption applies. Ohio does not list a separate recreational cast-net permit for collecting personal bait.
Remember These Ohio Cast Net Numbers
The fully opened net may not measure more than 10 feet from one edge to the opposite edge.
Square mesh smaller than ¼ inch on a side is prohibited.
Square mesh larger than 1 inch on a side is prohibited.
Do not use the net downstream of a dam where Division signs prohibit it.
Do You Need an Ohio Fishing License to Use a Cast Net?
Standard fishing license normally applies
An Ohio resident or nonresident age 16 or older generally needs the appropriate fishing license to take fish from public Ohio waters unless a specific exemption applies.
Using a cast net does not create a separate license category.
Verify before relying on an exemption
- Anglers younger than 16
- Qualifying private-water situations
- Qualifying landowner or family situations
- Approved disability or military provisions
- Ohio Free Fishing Days for qualifying residents
Official Ohio fishing license information
Why use this link: ODNR lists current licenses, exemptions and official purchase methods.
After opening: review the exemption section first, then choose the appropriate resident or nonresident product.
Open Ohio fishing license informationOhio Cast Net Diameter and Mesh Requirements
How to measure the net correctly
-
Open the net fully on flat ground.
Remove folds and arrange the weighted edge into a full circle. -
Measure across the center.
Measure from one outside edge to the opposite outside edge. -
Confirm 10 feet or less.
Do not confuse the net’s radius with its legal diameter. -
Measure one square opening.
The mesh opening must be at least ¼ inch and no more than 1 inch on each side.
Legal square-mesh range
Minimum: ¼ inch on a side
Maximum: 1 inch on a side
| Equipment example | Likely result | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 8-foot net with ⅜-inch square mesh | Within statewide size range | Diameter is below 10 feet and mesh is between ¼ and 1 inch |
| 10-foot net with ½-inch square mesh | Within statewide size range | At the maximum diameter with lawful mesh |
| 12-foot net | Prohibited | Diameter is greater than 10 feet |
| Net with ⅛-inch square mesh | Prohibited | Mesh is smaller than the ¼-inch minimum |
| Net with 1¼-inch square mesh | Prohibited | Mesh is larger than the 1-inch maximum |
What Can You Legally Catch With an Ohio Cast Net?
Minnows and designated forage fish
Ohio’s cast-net rule allows minnows and fish classified as forage fish to be taken.
Only retain a fish when you can positively identify it and confirm that no location-specific prohibition applies.
All other fish
Sport fish and other fish outside the authorized categories must be returned immediately and unharmed.
Do not place an unidentified fish in a bucket while deciding what it is.
| Fish caught in net | General action | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Minnow species | May be retained when lawful | Confirm identification and possession limits |
| Gizzard shad | Designated forage fish | Commonly collected as bait |
| Common carp or qualifying grass carp | Forage-fish category with cautions | Check signs concerning grass carp stocked for vegetation control |
| Bass, crappie or walleye | Release immediately unharmed | Cast nets are not a legal harvest method for these fish |
| Catfish, trout or salmon | Release immediately unharmed | Do not move the fish to a holding container |
| Fish you cannot identify | Release immediately | Uncertainty is not a reason to retain it |
How to Release Non-Target Fish From a Cast Net
-
Bring the net into shallow water or onto a wet surface.
Avoid dragging fish across hot concrete, gravel or dry rocks. -
Open the net promptly.
Do not leave the catch compressed while sorting slowly. -
Identify obvious non-target fish first.
Return bass, crappie, walleye, perch, catfish, trout and unidentified fish immediately. -
Wet your hands.
Minimize damage to protective slime and avoid squeezing fish. -
Return the fish to the same water.
Release it where it was caught rather than transporting it elsewhere. -
Stop using the location if repeated bycatch occurs.
Move away from concentrated juvenile sport fish or sensitive habitat.
Fish Ohio Lists as Forage Fish
The current Ohio fishing guide identifies the following species or groups as forage fish. A posted site rule can still prohibit take or restrict a particular species.
Freshwater drum
Also commonly called sheepshead.
Common carp
Included in the current forage-fish category.
Grass carp
Not where stocked by ODNR for vegetation control and identified by signs.
Asian carp species
Bighead, silver and black carp are listed.
Quillback
Positive identification is important.
Suckers
Includes fish within the listed sucker grouping.
Bowfin
Do not confuse it with protected or unrelated species.
Longnose gar
Handle carefully because of teeth and body shape.
Buffalo
Buffalo fish can be confused with carp.
Gizzard shad
A commonly collected Ohio bait species.
Goldfish
Listed in the forage-fish category.
Minnows
May be taken with cast nets when otherwise lawful.
Ohio Cast Net Restrictions Below Dams
Posted 1,000-foot downstream prohibition
Ohio prohibits cast-net use within 1,000 feet downstream from a dam when Division of Wildlife signs indicate that cast-net use is prohibited.
- Locate the dam before choosing a casting area
- Look for Division of Wildlife restriction signs
- Do not estimate from memory or vehicle distance
- Use a map and shoreline landmarks
- Move farther downstream when the boundary is unclear
Other Areas Where Cast Nets May Be Restricted
Posted no-fishing areas
A cast net cannot be used where fishing itself is closed by an official sign.
State fish hatcheries
Taking fish or aquatic organisms from a state fish hatchery is prohibited.
Posted bathing beaches
Supervised ODNR beaches posted with no-fishing signs are closed to fishing activity.
Posted wildlife ponds
State-controlled wildlife ponds marked “no fishing” cannot be used for bait collection.
Special fishing areas
Individual properties can prohibit cast nets, live bait or other collection methods.
Shared or border waters
Ohio River and Lake Erie trips may involve another jurisdiction. Check the exact location and applicable state rule.
Ohio Bait Fish and Crayfish Possession Limits
Except for licensed bait dealers, Ohio’s current guide limits possession to no more than 100 crayfish, or 500 in the combined aggregate of crayfish, minnows and other baitfish.
| Possession situation | General limit | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Crayfish alone | No more than 100 | Count all buckets, live wells and containers together |
| Minnows and other baitfish | Part of the 500 combined aggregate | Do not count each container as a separate allowance |
| Crayfish, minnows and baitfish combined | No more than 500 total, with no more than 100 crayfish | Maintain a reasonable count before leaving the water |
| Licensed bait dealer | Commercial permit rules apply | Follow dealer records, transport and permit requirements |
Can You Move Cast-Net Bait to Another Ohio Water?
Ohio prohibits releasing fish or aquatic invertebrates into waters of the state from which they did not originate. This rule helps prevent unwanted stocking, disease movement and aquatic invasive-species transfer.
Keep source and destination separate
- Record where the bait was collected
- Use retained bait only as legally permitted
- Return non-target fish immediately to the same water
- Dispose of unwanted bait away from the water
- Drain and clean equipment before visiting another lake
Unlawful or high-risk actions
- Dump leftover live bait into another lake
- Release bait into a pond where it did not originate
- Move water, plants or organisms between buckets and lakes
- Stock a private pond without required approval
- Release unidentified fish “to save them” elsewhere
Can You Sell Fish Collected With an Ohio Cast Net?
A bait dealer permit may be required
Ohio requires a bait dealer permit for persons buying or selling minnows, crayfish and hellgrammites. A recreational fishing license does not automatically authorize commercial bait sales.
Do not advertise, sell, barter or supply cast-net bait to customers without confirming the applicable bait dealer or collector requirements.
Use an Ohio Cast Net in Ten Steps
-
Confirm the fishing license.
Make sure every person actively collecting bait has the required license or a verified exemption. -
Open the exact waterbody information.
Check the lake, river, wildlife area or state-park property page. -
Inspect all posted signs.
Look for no-fishing, no-live-bait, no-cast-net and dam-zone restrictions. -
Measure the cast net.
Confirm a diameter of 10 feet or less and legal square-mesh openings. -
Prepare a fish-identification guide.
Know common baitfish, forage fish and juvenile sport fish before casting. -
Choose a safe casting position.
Stay away from swimmers, boats, steep riprap, traffic and overhead obstacles. -
Make one controlled throw.
Avoid throwing repeatedly into concentrated sport-fish habitat. -
Sort the catch immediately.
Release all unauthorized and unidentified fish unharmed. -
Count retained bait.
Stay within possession limits and separate bait by source water when necessary. -
Clean and dry the equipment.
Remove plants, mud and organisms before visiting another waterbody.
Ohio Cast Net Safety Checklist
Wear flotation
Use a properly fitted life jacket when casting from a boat, dock, steep bank or deep shoreline.
Use stable footing
Wet concrete, algae, mud and loose riprap become dangerous while rotating with a weighted net.
Create a clear casting circle
Keep people, rods, pets, railings and tree branches outside the throw area.
Control the hand line
Secure it correctly without wrapping it tightly around the wrist, hand or body.
Watch boat traffic
Do not throw into navigation channels, around moving propellers or across another boat’s path.
Handle sharp fish carefully
Gar, catfish spines and damaged net weights can injure hands during sorting.
Practical Ohio Cast Net Scenarios
Collecting gizzard shad from an inland reservoir
A lawful-size cast net may generally be used when the reservoir and selected access area do not prohibit it.
Best action: check the property page, signs and nearby dam restrictions before casting.
Casting below a dam
The angler sees a Division sign prohibiting cast-net use in the downstream zone.
Best action: do not cast within the posted 1,000-foot area. Move to a clearly lawful location.
A juvenile bass lands with the baitfish
The bass is not legal cast-net harvest merely because it entered the net accidentally.
Best action: wet your hands and release it immediately into the same water.
A property prohibits live bait and cast nets
Statewide cast-net legality does not override the property-specific restriction.
Best action: use only methods and bait permitted by the property manager.
Leftover live bait after the trip
The bait came from one lake, but the angler plans to release it into a pond near home.
Best action: do not release it into water from which it did not originate.
Selling extra minnows to other anglers
A standard recreational license does not automatically authorize bait sales.
Best action: review Ohio bait dealer and collector permit requirements first.
Common Ohio Cast Net Mistakes
Buying a net by radius
The legal measurement is the full opened diameter, not the distance from the center to one edge.
Ignoring mesh size
A net may meet the diameter rule but still have prohibited square-mesh openings.
Keeping juvenile sport fish
Non-target fish must be released immediately and unharmed.
Casting near a posted dam
Division signs can establish a prohibited 1,000-foot downstream zone.
Assuming every public lake allows cast nets
Properties may have stricter rules for live bait, cast nets or sensitive fishing areas.
Dumping leftover bait
Fish and aquatic invertebrates may not be released into water from which they did not originate.
Exceeding possession limits
Count all bait containers and anglers’ combined storage carefully.
Selling bait without checking permit rules
Commercial bait activity requires additional authorization.
Standing on unstable riprap
The rotation and weighted net can pull an angler off balance.
Failing to clean the net
Wet nets can transport plants, mud and aquatic organisms to another waterbody.
Ohio Division of Wildlife Contact and Map
Contact the Division of Wildlife when a question involves fish identification, a posted dam zone, bait possession, a specific wildlife area, border water or commercial bait activity.
Wildlife Customer Service
614-265-6300
wildinfo@dnr.ohio.gov
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2045 Morse Road, Building G
Columbus, OH 43229
1-800-POACHER
Official Ohio Cast Net and Bait Resources
2026–27 Ohio Fishing Regulations
Why use it: the current guide summarizes cast-net diameter, mesh, legal catch, dam restrictions and bait-possession rules.
After opening: review “Cast Nets,” “Bait,” “Forage Fish” and the exact waterbody listing.
Open the official fishing regulationsOhio sport-fishing rule
Why use it: this current rule authorizes cast nets for minnows and forage fish and contains related fishing-method restrictions.
After opening: search for “cast net,” “minnows” and “forage fish.”
Read Rule 1501:31-13-01Fishing methods other than angling
Why use it: this rule includes dam restrictions, posted closures and other collection-method provisions.
After opening: review cast-net, no-fishing and posted-area language.
Read Rule 1501:31-13-02Ohio bait and bait dealer rule
Why use it: this rule covers bait fish, lawful use, sale records and bait dealer requirements.
After opening: review personal bait collection separately from buying or selling bait.
Read Rule 1501:31-13-04Bait dealer and collector permits
Why use it: commercial bait collection and sales require rules beyond a recreational fishing license.
After opening: select the applicable dealer, collector or transport information.
Review bait permit informationWoodland Trails Wildlife Area example
Why use it: the property’s fishing rules show how an individual wildlife area may prohibit cast nets and live fish as bait.
After opening: review the fishing restrictions before visiting the area.
Review Woodland Trails restrictionsOhio Cast Net Rules FAQs
What is the maximum legal cast net size in Ohio?
An Ohio cast net may not have a diameter greater than 10 feet. Measure the fully opened net from one outside edge through the center to the opposite outside edge.
What mesh size is legal for an Ohio cast net?
The square mesh may not be smaller than ¼ inch or larger than 1 inch on a side.
Which fish can be taken with a cast net in Ohio?
Minnows and fish designated as forage fish may be taken with a cast net when the location and other conditions are lawful.
What should I do with bass, crappie or walleye caught in a cast net?
Release the fish immediately and unharmed into the same water. These fish may not be retained simply because they entered the net accidentally.
Can I use a cast net below an Ohio dam?
Cast-net use is prohibited within 1,000 feet downstream from a dam when Ohio Division of Wildlife signs indicate that cast-net use is prohibited.
Do I need an Ohio fishing license to throw a cast net?
Most anglers age 16 or older collecting fish from public Ohio waters need the appropriate standard fishing license unless a specific exemption applies.
Can an individual Ohio lake prohibit cast nets?
Yes. A wildlife area, park, reservoir or other property may have additional posted restrictions. Always check the exact property page and signs at the water.
Can I release leftover bait into another Ohio lake?
No. Fish and aquatic invertebrates may not be released into waters from which they did not originate.
How much bait may an unlicensed bait dealer possess?
The current guide states that a person other than a licensed bait dealer may not possess more than 100 crayfish, or 500 in the combined aggregate of crayfish, minnows and other baitfish.
Can I sell minnows caught with my cast net?
Do not sell, barter or commercially distribute collected bait without reviewing Ohio bait dealer and collector permit requirements. A recreational fishing license alone does not authorize bait sales.
Editorial verification: Ohio’s 2026–27 cast-net diameter, square-mesh, legal-catch, immediate-release, posted-dam, bait-possession and bait-transfer rules were reviewed on August 1, 2026.
Independent information notice: OhioFishingLicense.website is an independent informational website and is not operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Current Ohio law, emergency rules, property closures, posted signs and official agency instructions control.
Identification notice: release any fish immediately when its species or legal status is uncertain.