DeWine celebrates Inland Fish Ohio Day at Lake Hope State Park

McARTHUR – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife celebrated Ohio’s inland fishing during the Governor’s Inland Fish Ohio Day today. This year’s event was held at Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County. 

“Inland Fish Ohio is a great opportunity to celebrate Ohio's incredible fishing traditions and natural wonders like Lake Hope State Park,” said Governor DeWine. “Fishing brings families and friends together, supports conservation efforts, and helps Ohioans connect to the outdoors.” 

The 120-acre lake is open to canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and boats with electric motors. Lake Hope has a boat launch on State Route 278 and features 5.7 miles of shoreline.

“Lake Hope is a picturesque place to cast out a line and enjoy a day of fishing, especially for Inland Fish Ohio Day,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “We're proud to have lakes like this across our wildlife areas and state parks to provide opportunities for anglers to fish with their families.”

The Division of Wildlife stocked 36 million fish in Ohio’s public lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in 2025. Eleven different species of fish were stocked at 233 locations statewide. Ohio has 827,000 licensed anglers.

“One of the great reasons for fishing in Ohio is the many locations to pursue your favorite fish species,” said ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “That includes Lake Hope, where anglers can find good populations of largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill.”

Anglers may catch largemouth bass, sunfish (bluegill), and channel catfish that qualify for Fish Ohio status at Lake Hope. Learn more about Fish Ohio recognition at wildohio.gov.

Anglers who travel to inland waters such as Lake Hope support the economies in those regions. Anglers generated $5.5 billion in economic spending in Ohio in 2022, according to a report released by the Wildlife Management Institute, Responsive Management, and Southwick Associates. The research found that 18% of Ohio’s adults, about 1.7 million individuals, participate in fishing.

Governor’s Inland Fish Ohio Day was coordinated by ODNR's Division of Wildlife as well as the Division of Parks and Watercraft.