Rules & Regulations
Cast net laws in Ohio
Legal with restrictionsInformational only — this is not legal advice
Fishing regulations change, sometimes with little notice, and can vary further by county, water body, or season within a state. This page is a starting point for research, not a substitute for the law. Always verify current rules directly with your state's fish & wildlife agency or TakeMeFishing.org before you fish. BasicGear is not responsible for citations, fines, or gear seizures resulting from reliance on this page.
Last verified: 2026-07-08 — regulations are re-checked periodically; see the date above before assuming this is current.
Summary
Restricted to minnows/forage fish, not game fish, and banned within 1,000 ft downstream of any dam posted prohibiting it.
Size, mesh & licensing
- Max size
- 10 ft diameter (5 ft radius) — Ohio's rule states this as a diameter
- Mesh
- Square mesh, minimum 1/4 in, maximum 1 in per side
- Water type
- Not water-type specific (Lake Erie/inland waters)
- License
- Yes — standard Ohio fishing license
Recommended BasicGear net
Cast Net — Basic Series — Choose 1/4" or 3/8" mesh in a size up to 5 ft radius.
Official source
Ohio Admin. Code 1501:31-13-01 "Sport fishing"↗
High confidenceLast verified: 2026-07-08
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