However, the river’s deepest point is 168 feet (51 m) on the western side of Louisville, Kentucky. From Louisville, the river loses depth very gradually until its confluence with the Mississippi at Cairo, Illinois, where it has an approximate depth of 19 feet (6 m).
Table of Contents
Where can I shore fish in the Ohio River?
Fishing areas in this region are Aberdeen landing, Ripley landing, White Oak Creek Marina, Chilo Launch Ramp, New Richmond. They also fish up the creeks feeding into the river. There are many fishing tournaments in Brown County.
How do you fish off the bank of a river?
- CALM AREAS OR EDDIES. Find the backwaters.
- STUMPS AND VEGETATION. Keep an eye out for stumps and vegetation.
- ISLANDS OR ROCK PILES. Look near islands or rock piles.
- MERGING CURRENTS. Focus on areas where there are current shifts or changes.
- BOTTOM BOUNCING.
- UPSTREAM CASTING.
- RIVER JIGGING.
What is the best bait to use in the Ohio River?
In faster water (Ohio River tailwaters) use heavy spoons and jigs. In less current use imitation minnow baits and other crankbaits.
What type of fish are in the Ohio River?
Bluegill, white and black crappie, channel catfish and largemouth bass can be found in lower portion of these areas. The main channel borders and island borders of the Smithland Pool provide excellent fishing for spotted bass, white bass, freshwater drum, flathead catfish, channel catfish and blue catfish.
Can you eat fish from the Ohio River?
While you can eat fish from the Ohio River, the ORFA and Ohio EPA both recommend you don’t do it more than once a month for most species. The amount drops for children and women of child-bearing age. So, if you’re worried about pollutants in the fish caught from a contaminated river, you’re RIGHT.
What’s the biggest fish in the Ohio River?
Massive 95-pound catfish ‘by far the largest’ trophy fish caught by these Kentucky men. Michael Robinson and Terry Raymer have made an annual tradition of catching massive fish on the Ohio River, but their latest snag is a personal best.
What should I look for when bank fishing?
If the water clarity of the area is good, look for deep drop-offs that will likely have bass concentrated. Otherwise, any vegetation above and below the surface are good casting points when bank fishing for bass.
How do I find fish while bank fishing?

What should I take to the bank for fishing?
A nice backpack or tackle bag that fits over your shoulder is a must. Bring enough lures that you won’t run out, but you don’t need to bring everything you own. Generally, three to four rod and reels will be more than enough for any tactic you may encounter while fishing from the bank.
Are there sharks in the Ohio River?
There have been no reports of sharks caught from the Ohio River since I did a story 39 years ago on three young fishermen catching one from the river near Portsmouth.
What is the best time to fish a river?
- One hour before and one hour after high tides, and one hour before and one hour after low tides.
- During the “morning rise” (after sunup for a spell) and the “evening rise” (just before sundown and the hour or so after).
- During the rise and set of the Moon.
- When the barometer is steady or on the rise.
Where is the best place to fish in the Ohio River?
According to locals, the most bountiful spots to fish are the Cluster Islands, the mouths of the Muskingum River, Fishing Creek, Dam #21, the New Cumberland Dam, and the Byrd Dam. Almost all Ohio River favorites can be found in WV’s waters.
Has there ever been an alligator in the Ohio River?

Do you need a license to fish in the Ohio River?
A fishing license is required to take fish from Ohio waters. through an agreement or lease with the Ohio Division of Wildlife are required to have a fish- ing license. anyone on request. Licenses may be displayed using a mobile device.
What is the rarest fish in Ohio?
A little-known fish thought to be extinct locally has been rediscovered in the Ohio River for the first time since 1939. The fish, known as a longhead darter, is so rare that the International Union for Conservation of Nature does not list its status due to a lack of data.
Is there mercury in the Ohio River?
Mercury-contaminated fish are common in waterways across the country, and the Ohio River is no exception. Species including angler favorites like hybrid striped bass have been found in the Ohio River with mercury above the level considered safe by the EPA.
Why is the Ohio River so polluted?
The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), founded to control and abate pollution in the Ohio River Basin, reported 23 million pounds of toxic discharge (Cory, 2015). The river is victim to the pollution of industrial plants, barges, sewage waste, agricultural runoff, and general urban pollution.
What is the best fish to catch in the Ohio River?
Sauger & Walleye Sauger provide some of the highest catch rates of any fish in the river and walleye can be caught by fishing the same methods. Walleye and sauger (Percids) concentrate in tailwater areas in the early spring then disperse during the summer months.
What is the biggest catfish ever caught out of the Ohio River?
Price’s big catfish tipped the scales at 67.22 pounds. The fish also set a new record for length at 50.7 inches. caught by Justin Goode in the Ohio River in 2021.
Does the Ohio River have sturgeon?
Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) The lake sturgeon is native to the waters of Lake Erie and the Ohio River, as well as in some of the larger inland rivers that feed into these water bodies. A large fish, this sturgeon measures 6-8 feet in length and usually weighs around 100 pounds (Trautman 1981).
Can fish see you on the bank?
Fish have eyes on either side of their head so they do get quite a good range of vision but the majority of the time, factors such as colour and ripple make seeing anything with any clarity difficult unless they are very close in, high in the water, and the day is a clear one with little ripple.
How do you catch big fish from the bank?

Where can I cast a bank for fishing?
Some great places to fish for bass from the bank include public access areas; old gravel roads that were flooded when a reservoir was filled; and rock riprap along bridges, marinas or dam spillways. Conservation departments usually sink brush piles in public access areas that are within casting distance from the shore.
Does garlic attract fish?
Yes, fish likes garlic but it depends on the type of fish. Some fish are attracted to the scent of garlic, while others are repelled by it. It is thought that the main reason fish are attracted to garlic is because of its sulfur content. In addition, the amino acids in garlic can also make it a very effective bait.