Scioto River Fishing Guides
Ohio's big central river through the Chillicothe bottoms, holding flathead catfish, saugeye and a strong smallmouth run on the gravel.
Guides on the Scioto River
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About the Scioto River
The Scioto is one of Ohio’s principal rivers and by the time it reaches Chillicothe it has already drained Columbus and a very large share of the central Ohio farm country. That history shapes the river. It is broad, brown after rain, and slow through long stretches, running between high banks through a valley that was farmed and settled early and is still farmed hard. It is also, for anglers willing to look past the colour of the water, one of the more productive rivers in the state.
The Scioto at Chillicothe is fundamentally a big-fish river. Flathead catfish are the headline – this reach produces genuinely large fish, and they hold in the deep outside bends and around log jams and bridge structure, feeding at night. Channel catfish are everywhere and blue catfish turn up in the lower river. Saugeye and sauger run the river in spring and again in cold weather, holding below riffles and around wing dams. Smallmouth bass fill the gravel and rock reaches, particularly upstream where the river runs faster and cleaner, and hybrid striped bass and white bass push through in schools that will find the shad.
Practically speaking this is a boat river through the Chillicothe reach, though wading is realistic on the gravel bars in low summer flow and there is good bank access in and around town. The gauge at Chillicothe publishes discharge and stage but no water temperature, so judge the season by air and by the calendar. The river rises fast and dirty after a general rain across central Ohio and takes several days to come back into shape. The window a few days after a rise is consistently the best fishing of the month.
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Access
Yoctangee Park in Chillicothe - the headline in-town bank access.
Chillicothe boat ramp - the main trailer access on this reach.
US 23 corridor crossings - roadside and bridge access up and down the valley.
Paint Creek confluence area - productive water where the big tributary comes in.
Huntington Township river access - a quieter bank and cartop entry.
OH 104 pull-offs - scattered access along the west bank.
Higby area access - downstream entry toward the lower valley.
Seasons
Spring: high and coloured, with a strong sauger and saugeye run once it settles.
Summer: the flathead season - warm nights, low clear water and the best catfishing of the year.
Fall: excellent for smallmouth and saugeye as the river cools and clears.
Winter: slow and cold, though sauger hold below the riffles and fish through the season.
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Questions
What is the current flow on the Scioto River?
As of Sep 17, 4:45 am, the USGS gauge Scioto River at Chillicothe OH reads 3,120 cfs. Conditions update every 15 minutes.
What species can you catch on the Scioto River?
Anglers target Black Crappie, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Flathead Catfish, Freshwater Drum, Hybrid Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Longnose Gar, Rock Bass, Sauger, Saugeye, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, White Bass on the Scioto River in Ohio.
Where can you access the Scioto River?
Yoctangee Park in Chillicothe - the headline in-town bank access. Chillicothe boat ramp - the main trailer access on this reach. US 23 corridor crossings - roadside and bridge access up and down the valley. Paint Creek confluence area - productive water where the big tributary comes in. Huntington Township river access - a quieter bank and cartop entry. OH 104 pull-offs - scattered access along the west bank. Higby area access - downstream entry toward the lower valley.
When is the best time to fish the Scioto River?
Spring: high and coloured, with a strong sauger and saugeye run once it settles. Summer: the flathead season - warm nights, low clear water and the best catfishing of the year. Fall: excellent for smallmouth and saugeye as the river cools and clears. Winter: slow and cold, though sauger hold below the riffles and fish through the season.
Where are the fishing regulations for the Scioto River?
Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the Ohio agency site: https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/hunting-fishing-boating/fishing-resources/fishing-regulations