Lake Erie Fishing Limits: Know Before You Go

Lake Erie’s fishing limits vary by species: walleye/saugeye (6 per day, 15-inch minimum), yellow perch (30 West Zone, 10 Central Zone, 20 East Zone, no size limit), bass (5 daily, 12-inch minimum), and catfish (unlimited below certain sizes, 1 over-sized fish). Striped, hybrid, and white bass have a combined 30-fish limit. You’ll need the appropriate license for Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, or Ontario waters before heading out for your catch.

When you’re planning your next fishing trip to Lake Erie, understanding the bag limits is essential for a legal and responsible outing. Ohio maintains specific regulations designed to conserve fish populations while still allowing for productive angling experiences. Familiarizing yourself with these limits before heading out can save you potential headaches with law enforcement later.

For walleye anglers, the rules are straightforward—you’re allowed 6 fish per day across all Ohio waters of Lake Erie, with each fish measuring at least 15 inches. This limit remains consistent year-round with no seasonal changes. The same 6-fish limit applies to any combination of walleye, sauger, and saugeye.

Unlike some fisheries, Ohio doesn’t enforce a possession limit, giving you flexibility for multi-day fishing trips.

Yellow perch regulations are more complex, with bag limits varying by zone. If you’re fishing in the West Zone (west of 82° 30′ longitude), you can keep up to 30 perch daily. The Central Zone (between 82° 30′ and 81° 20′ longitude) has a more conservative limit of just 10 perch, while the East Zone (east of 81° 20′ longitude) allows 20 perch daily. The 2018 hatch was nearly three times the average, producing an abundance of catchable perch in recent seasons.

There’s no minimum size requirement for yellow perch in any zone.

Bass enthusiasts should note you’re limited to 5 bass daily, whether they’re largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass in any combination. Each must measure at least 12 inches. Many anglers find that binoculars with 10x magnification help spot bass activity from a distance, particularly during early morning hours. These regulations apply throughout Lake Erie and its tributaries unless special site-specific rules are posted.

For catfish, there’s no daily limit for channel or flathead catfish below threshold sizes (28 inches for channel, 35 inches for flathead), but you’re restricted to one fish daily above these sizes.

Striped, hybrid-striped, and white bass have a combined daily limit of 30, with no more than 4 exceeding 15 inches. Muskellunge has a one-fish daily limit with no minimum size.

Remember that these regulations apply by zone of catch regardless of your launch or landing location. You must possess the appropriate license for the waters you’re fishing, as separate licenses are required for Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ontario waters.

The Ohio DNR enforces these limits strictly—violations can result in fines, confiscation of your catch, or suspension of fishing privileges. Many anglers enjoy fishing from kayaks like the Perception Pescador Pro which offers excellent stability while navigating Lake Erie’s waters. Modern navigation apps with offline functionality are essential when fishing remote areas of Lake Erie where cellular service may be unreliable. Using a quality spinning reel with a reliable carbon fiber drag system can help you land trophy fish while maintaining control to avoid breaking size limits. For anglers who frequently transition between fishing and swimming, boats equipped with folding ladders provide convenient water access without compromising deck space.

Whether you’re targeting a record-breaking walleye or simply enjoying a day of perch fishing, adhering to these bag limits ensures Lake Erie remains a premier fishing destination for years to come.