Ohio lawmakers trying to hook walleye as official state fish after it got away last year

After failing to land the catch last year, Ohio lawmakers have cast their line again and are hoping to reel in the big prize — making the walleye the state's official fish.

"Last general assembly, we came close to netting this big fish but it floundered because we ran out of time," said Rep. Sean P. Brennan (D-Parma) in testimony this week. "Let’s work together to reel it in this time and not let this be another one that got away.”

Brennan, one of House Bill 312's sponsors along the Rep. D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), brought many fish jokes and puns to his testimony before the Ohio House Arts, Athletics and Tourism Committee on June 10. He even wore a walleye tie. Brennan said the idea was spawned by an angler from Parma, who pitched it to him. Brennan said he considered the idea for a few days before he was hooked. “Considering naming any other fish would be a red herring," he continued.

But jokes aside, the walleye is a serious economic driver for the state of Ohio, Brennan said.

The economic impact of the walleye on Ohio
The walleye generated $1 billion in economic activity for Ohio, Brennan said, "unmatched by any other fish." The economic impact for all fish statewide is $5.5 billion per year, he continues, citing data from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, meaning the walleye alone accounts for about 18% of that total.

 
“Walleye more than any other fish brings anglers to Ohio from around the country and the world," he said. "which in part is why Ohio’s portion of Lake Erie is already called the walleye capital of the world.” 

Sport fishing, which includes some big-money tournaments, along Ohio's portion of Lake Erie generates $1.19 billion for the state's economy, Brennan said, with 71% of that focused on the walleye. Walleye fishing supports 950 charter guides on Lake Erie.

 
“Quite simply, there’s no other fish more sought after in Ohio than the walleye," Brennan said. "with about half of Ohio’s 1 million anglers fishing for them.” 

And there's plenty of walleye out there, too, with 72.1 million in Lake Erie that are at least 2 years old, per ODNR, ready to be caught and kept, he said.

Ohio is one of three states without a state fish
Ohio is one of three states to not have designated a state fish, Brennan said. The others are Iowa and Indiana. But unofficially, the walleye has been adopted as a mascot for the state.

 
The National Wildlife Federation already considers the walleye the unofficial fish of Ohio, he said.

Lake Erie communities also have adopted the fish. Toledo is home to the Walleye hockey team. Port Clinton has a few walleye-related events, including the annual Walleye Festival and New Year's Walleye Drop. There's also a Wine & Walleye Festival in the historic Ashtabula Harbor.

Where the walleye legislation stands
To officially name the walleye as the state fish, HB 312 would need to be approved by the House committee, and then head to the full House for a vote. If approved there, it would move to the Ohio Senate for consideration. And if the Senate approves, the bill would need Gov. Mike DeWine's signature.

The issue has come before lawmakers in the past.

NBC4 in Columbus reports that a similar bill came up in 2021, before the attempt that died at the end of 2024. And the debate over the best fish to represent the state dates back to the 1980s, NBC4 reports, citing an article from the Lorain Morning Journal. Northern Ohio anglers push for the walleye, while anglers in southern Ohio prefer the bass.

  
What are walleye?
Walleye are a large predatory fish — the largest among the 250 species in its biological family, Percidae — with many sharp teeth in its mouth. Walleye are usually 14 to 22 inches long and weigh 2 to 4 pounds, but they can grow to 36 inches and 16 pounds, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

 
Walleye abundant in Lake Erie, can also be found in the Ohio River
Along with the millions of them in Lake Erie itself, walleye can also be found in the lake's tributaries, up to the first dam, per ODNR. The Ohio River also houses walleye, but they are outnumbered by other species. Walleye grow more plentiful farther upstream, towards Pittsburgh. The fish are also stocked in many Ohio reservoirs.

Big-money walleye tournaments attract cheaters
The money in walleye tournaments is so big it attracts cheaters. Two men seeking a $29,000 prize in 2022 were caught using weights and prepared meat to make their walleye catch heavier during a Cleveland tournament. The pair pleaded guilty to felony cheating charges and were sentenced in May 2023 to 10 days in jail and one and a half years of community control. They also were fined $2,500 each and had their fishing licenses suspended for three years, the maximum allowed.

In October 2023, one of those men was accused of poaching in Pennsylvania. He was charged with three counts of taking or possessing game or wildlife, two counts of killing or taking big game outside of the hunting season, two counts of unlawful acts concerning licenses and one count of failing to report or tag big game, according to Mercer County, Pennsylvania, court documents.

It's unclear how the Pennsylvania case was resolved.

Like your walleye grilled or fried? Try these recipes
If you're looking for a new way to prepare your catch, or are new to fishing for walleye and want some ideas, recipes abound online.

The fish can be cooked in a variety of ways, from pan-fried to grilled or baked, as well as Caribbean style, Italian style and Cajun style, among many, many others.