Ohio Fishing Guide Licensing

[walleyewolf1]

Help Please, I have been trying to figure out all the needed licenses for starting a small fishing guide service on inland lakes in Ohio.But the problem is I can't find anything on the subject, I have read at least one article that stated ohio guides aren't licensed, but if you look on the lake erie charter sites, there are several charter captains that say htey are Ohio Master Licensed Fishing Guides , Can anybody give me some solid info on this matter.

[Johnkfisherman]

I am a licensed Captain and "fishing guide" on Lake Erie. I just looked and on the license is does not say anything at all about inland lakes. I would say that any body of water that is goverened by the Coast Guard, you must have a Captains license to take clients out for hire. For inland lakes you might check with the Ohio (or other state) DNR and see what they say. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

[l]

Assuming the ODNR links, etc are current, JohnKFisherman appears to be operating illegally if he charters in Ohio waters. In no particular order:

http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/1501:31-3-11

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1533.51

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1533.511

I didn't see any licensing requirements for waters outside the lake erie fishing district in Ohio but I'd do what JohnKFisherman suggested & call ODNR. I thought inland guides were licensed so what do I know either I was wrong or could find the right info.

Check into the insurance side if you haven't.

Good Luck

[l]

Correction - "... or couldn't find the right info."

[johnkfisherman]

Just curious how did you determine I am illegal? (which is wrong)As I stated in my note to help this fella out, I am licensed as a Captain and also as a Guide in Lake Erie...

[steelersfan47 ul]

>Just curious how did you determine I am illegal? (which is
>wrong)As I stated in my note to help this fella out, I am
>licensed as a Captain and also as a Guide in Lake Erie...

Don't worry about the junior fish wardens with bad reading comprehension.

[walleyewolf1]

Thanks for the info guys I appreciate the help, I spoke with ODNR office and as all the info suggests,if as long as I am not on Lake Erie,or the Ohio River they do not license inland water guides at this point, just needed to upgrade my boat insurance.
Again thanks for the input.

[l]

>>>>I am a licensed Captain and "fishing guide" on Lake Erie. I just looked and on the license is does not say anything at all about inland lakes.<<<<<<<<<

I apologize. Honest mistake. No malace intended. Apparently my reading comprehension is bad as volunteered by a helpful poster. I interpreted "fishing guide" being in quotes and the reference to your license in the next sentence differently than you intended. I incorrectly assumed the reference to "...the license..." in the second sentence was referring to "...licensed Captain..." in the first.

Sincerely,
l

[johnkfisherman]

>>>>>I am a licensed Captain and "fishing guide" on Lake Erie.
>I just looked and on the license is does not say anything at
>all about inland lakes.<<<<<<<<<
>
>I apologize. Honest mistake. No malace intended. Apparently
>my reading comprehension is bad as volunteered by a helpful
>poster. I interpreted "fishing guide" being in quotes and the
>reference to your license in the next sentence differently
>than you intended. I incorrectly assumed the reference to
>"...the license..." in the second sentence was referring to
>"...licensed Captain..." in the first.
>
>Sincerely,
>l
>
> Apology accepted...thanks

[fish and fowl]

i believe you have to be a licenced coast guard captain .

[walleyewolf1]

Sir you do,if you guide or charter on Erie or the Ohio River, any body of water goverened or patroled by Coast Guard. But as of right now on inland lakes inside OHIO there is no licensing bureau for inland guides in our state, and as I am finding out, it is probably
because of lack of interest within the public in Ohio for people to want to fish anywhere but Erie and pay a guide to do so,our stocking programs are down and fish populations are on the decline,I am seriously considering relocating to an upper midwest or upper plains state. Maybe then i can live my dream of being a walleye guide and being successful at it.

[USMC]

Wolf are you smoking something . The DNR just stocked 9 MILLION saugeye in our lakes this year not to mention Erie is just crazy last couple of years .
Don't hold your breath for so long the next time you take a puff .

[walleyewolf1]

Usmc, I am not going to get in a argument with you . I didn,t say anything about Erie not doing well. This whole thread was to try to get some info on state of Ohio Inland guides licenseing. My comment on my last post was out of frustration for fish populations in certain lakes. And nine million saugeye fry, which about only 10 percent servive to maturity, is not that many fish . By the way I don't do illegal drugs.

[bob oh]

That's kind of a rough reply USMC. 9 million with 80 -90% mortality rate in all of the inland Ohio lakes doesn't sound like a lot to me? There were probably 100 million eyes born in Erie in 2003, just to give you a bit of perspective.

rod bender bob

[USMC]

Ok sorry , I was just kidding about smoking something . But the inland lakes in Ohio have more saugeye and walleye than ever before . Alum , and all the lakes around Columbus are great places to fish for saugeye all summer long . Indian lake is as good as it gets in the spring and fall and they say that the male saugeyes are living past 3 years old in that lake . Ceasar creek is good all year long . Cj Brown gives up a huge amount of walleyes every year many over 8 lbs . I do think that you could have guide service on the inland lakes but each lake is not hot at the same time so to keep the customer happy I think you would have to travel a bunch .
Wolf I have always thought that I would like to guide on the inland lakes in Ohio also . I just don't know if you could make a living at it or even pay for your expenses ,with gas at 3 bucks and the cost of the gear , boat and such it could be tough .
Plus showing anyone what took 15 years to figure out I am not sure about . Good luck though it is a neat dream that I have had many nights .

[bob oh]

Nice reply USMC, although it did take a little more effort I'm sure wolf appreciated it LOL


rod bender bob