Ohio · Yellow perch

Can you keep a yellow perch in Ohio?

Yes, with limits

Inland lakes, rivers and ponds (statewide rule)

Open year-round
Size
No size limit stated
total length
Daily bag
30
per person per day

No minimum size inland, thirty a day.

ODNR source page

Lake Erie West Zone - Ohio waters west of longitude 82 degrees 30 minutes

Open year-round
Size
No size limit stated
total length
Daily bag
30
per person per day

The western basin carries the most generous perch limit on the lake. The boundary is a line of longitude, not a landmark - the regulations map puts it near Huron Pier Lighthouse, but what binds is the coordinate. Whatever mix of zones you fish, thirty perch a day is the overall ceiling.

ODNR source page

Lake Erie Central Zone - between longitude 82 degrees 30 minutes and 81 degrees 20 minutes

Open year-round
Size
No size limit stated
total length
Daily bag
10
per person per day

Ten a day - a third of the western limit, and the tightest perch rule in the state. Know which side of the line you are on before you count fish.

ODNR source page

Lake Erie East Zone - Ohio waters east of longitude 81 degrees 20 minutes

Open year-round
Size
No size limit stated
total length
Daily bag
20
per person per day

Twenty a day east of the line the map marks near Fairport Harbor Lighthouse. ODNR publishes GPS waypoints for the zone boundaries in Garmin, Lowrance, Humminbird and GPX format.

ODNR source page

What we left out on purpose

Other species in Ohio

You also need a Ohio fishing license →

Where to try today