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River (OH–WV–PA border)

Ohio River (OH–WV–PA)

Ohio, West Virginia & Pennsylvania border, West Virginia

The Ohio River forms the border between Ohio and West Virginia, and is shared with Pennsylvania at its upper end near Midland, PA. It starts at Pittsburgh and runs 981 miles, with the Army Corps of Engineers keeping a nine foot channel through locks and dams. Named pools on this stretch include Dashields, New Cumberland, Pike Island, Hannibal, Willow Island and Belleville. It is known for sauger, walleye, smallmouth bass, striped and hybrid bass, and big flathead and channel catfish, with the best fishing near dam tailwaters.

Outline map coming soon
Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Current air temperature at Ohio River (OH–WV–PA) (National Weather Service) ↗
Surface area—
Max depth9 ft
Shoreline—
Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Sauger●●●●○

Best in cool months, often at night. WV and Ohio limits were cut to rebuild the stock.

Smallmouth Bass●●●●○

Rocky banks and dam tailwaters.

Flathead Catfish●●●●○

Four per day in WV and only one over 35 inches.

Channel Catfish●●●●○

Best May through July, often at night.

Striped Bass●●●○○

Hannibal Pool shore fishing is named for stripers and sauger.

Walleye●●●○○

Fished with sauger below dams.

White Bass●●●○○

Taken with striped and hybrid bass in the same rules.

Boat launches

24 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

SpeciesMin sizeDaily limit
Walleye, sauger, saugeyeOhio DNR Fishing Regulations ↗6 per day combined; only 2 may be walleye (OH-WV boundary water)
Black bass12 in6 per day combined (Ohio side)
Striped, hybrid striped and white bassOhio DNR Fishing Regulations ↗30 per day combined, no more than 4 over 15 in (Ohio side)
Muskellunge and tiger muskie30 in2 per day (Ohio side)
CrappieOhio DNR Fishing Regulations ↗30 per day (Ohio side)
Blue catfishWest Virginia DNR Fishing Regulations ↗4 per day, only 1 at 35 in or longer (WV)
Flathead catfishWest Virginia DNR Fishing Regulations ↗4 per day, only 1 at 35 in or longer, Big Sandy mouth to Mill Creek (WV)

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at West Virginia Division of Natural Resources ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Search more bait shops near Ohio River (OH–WV–PA) ↗

Local tips

  • Fish below the dams. Pike Island and Hannibal tailwaters have concrete shore access.
  • The Corps restricts boats close to the dams, so stay clear of posted areas.
  • Sauger and walleye bite best in cool months and at night. Catfish peak May through July.
  • Boat anglers can use an Ohio or WV license on the shared water. Shore anglers need the license of the state they stand in.
  • Ohio and West Virginia agencies set the boundary water rules. Pennsylvania has its own rules, so check before you fish upstream of Ohio.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.

More West Virginia lakes

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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.

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