COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife plans to release more than 80,000 rainbow trout in 88 lakes and ponds beginning March 16 and ending May 19.

What You Need To Know

  •  More than 80,000 rainbow trout will be released in 88 ponds and lakes across the state

  •  The locations are spread across five regions and some will have release-day events

  •  The trout are unlikely to survive past spring due to the rise in temperatures

  • Anglers 16 and older must have an Ohio fishing license 

Several locations have changed from last year’s trout stocking in order to give more people an opportunity to catch these fish, according to ODNR.

The designated lakes and ponds are spread across five regions and are designed for high success and harvest. Some locations will have events on the day of release. 

The trout are raised in Ohio’s state fish hatcheries and are between 10 and 13 inches long when released. 

They are a coldwater species and are sensitive to warmer temperatures, causing them to typically not survive past late spring. 

They are stocked near metropolitan areas in order to increase their likelihood of being caught before the beginning of summer. 

Anglers 16 and older must have a valid Ohio fishing license to fish in state public waters. The sale of licenses benefits state fish hatcheries.