Today's Best Fishing Times for
Columbus, United States ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸

Solunar
Weather
7-Day
Spots

How to use our fishing calendar

Planning your next fishing trip in Columbus, United States ? Today is a average day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...

  • Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
  • Use the forecast calendar section to sync bite times with major weather changes.
  • Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
  • Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.

Fishing in Columbus, Ohio centers around the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, plus a network of productive city and metro-park lakes that offer year-round action. Anglers target bass, saugeye, catfish, panfish, and stocked trout within a short drive of downtown, making Columbus fishing trips convenient and surprisingly diverse. read more...

Some of the best fishing spots near Columbus include: Alum Creek Lake, Hoover Reservoir, Scioto River, Buckeye Lake, O'Shaughnessy Reservoir, Griggs Reservoir, Olentangy River, Big Darby Creek, Deer Creek Lake, Antrim Lake, etc. see full list

Sun and Moon Times

The sun will be at it's highest point at . Today we have 14:55 hours of daylight. For shallow water fishing the twilight periods are often the most productive fishing times, especially on days when a major or minor time will coincide with twilight. In low light conditions predators have better cover for their ambush and often hunt in shallow water.
  • Nautical Twilight begins:
    Sunrise:
  • Sunset:
    Nautical Twilight ends:
  • Moonrise:
  • Moonset:
  • Moon over:
  • Moon under:
  • Visibility:
    52%
  • Third Quarter Moon - 52% illuminated Third Quarter Moon
Next New Moon in ~6 days on 14th July
  • Distance to earth:
    375,599 km
    Proximity:
    70.7 %
We can compare the current moon distance to it's minimum and maximum distance from earth and express that as proximity. A high proximity means the moon is closer to earth. At 50% it would be at it's mean distance. A high proximity causes big tides, currents and has a direct effect on increased bite times. A proximity greater than 90% indicates a super moon.
Moon Phases for Columbus
New Moon
Tue, 14 Jul
Full Moon
Wed, 29 Jul

Solunar Bite Times

Settings
Display Settings:
  • average Day
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Best fishing times:
  • major Time:
    06:11 am - 08:11 am
  • minor Time:
    12:48 pm - 02:48 pm
  • major Time:
    06:23 pm - 08:23 pm
  • minor Time:
    11:35 pm - 01:35 am
All times are displayed in the America/New_York timezone and are automatically adjusted to daylight savings. The current timezone offset is -4 hours. Green and yellow areas indicate the best fishing times (major and minor). The center shows the current moon phase which is a Third Quarter Moon at 52% lumination. According to the Solunar Theory, today is a average day for fishing, but you need to cross check this with the current weather forecast for a final decision. Currently we have a major fishing time. The next best fishing time ( ) starts in -5 hour and -15 minute. The gray time indicator displays the current local time.
America/New_York • Tue, 7 Jul 19:19 • 39.961, -82.999
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Current Fishing Weather

Updating Weather Infos...

7 Day Fishing Weather

The weather plays an important role in fishing. Wind strenght and direction often determine where you can fish and where fish might be holding. Although high pressure is usually good for fishing, steep pressure changes often trigger feeding frenzies and are great times for fishing. Of course temperature has also a strong effect on fishing and comfort on the water. So make sure to cross check the weather forecast with the solunar fishing times to determine the best times to go fishing. The graph below shows you the 3 hourly weather progression over the next 7 days. Scroll the graph left or right to see more.
Selected Weather Station: Columbus, US
Temperature
Wave Height
Swell Height
Wind
Pressure
Humidity
Cloudcover
Rain Precipitation
UV Index
Retrieving Weather...

7 Day Fishing Forecast Calendar
Date Major Bite Times Minor Bite Times Sun Moon Moonphase
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Third Quarter Moon
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S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
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S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
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S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
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S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
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Waning Crescent
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New Moon
*bold times indicate best fishing times around sunrise or sunset

Fishing Overview Columbus

Fishing in Columbus, Ohio revolves around urban rivers, metro-park impoundments, and heavily stocked reservoirs that stay productive in every season. The Scioto River, Olentangy River, Alum Creek Lake, Hoover Reservoir, and Griggs and O’Shaughnessy reservoirs create a compact but varied system where power fishermen, finesse anglers, and bank fishermen all find reliable action.

Seasonal patterns drive most success. In early spring, focus on warming coves and creek arms on Alum Creek Lake, Hoover Reservoir, and smaller lakes like Antrim and Sharon Woods. Largemouth bass slide shallow when water temps creep into the 50s; jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits, and 3–4" swimbaits in shad colors excel. Saugeye and walleye push onto rocky points below Griggs and O’Shaughnessy dams at low light—jig-and-minnow combos or 1/8–1/4 oz hair jigs bounced along the bottom are consistent producers.

By late spring and early summer, vegetation edges and man-made structure become key. Around Columbus, bass relate heavily to riprap, marina docks, bridge pilings, and laydowns in the upper ends of reservoirs. A Texas-rigged creature bait, 1/4 oz jig, or wacky-rigged stick worm will cover almost every shallow target. For crappie and bluegill, vertical fish around brush piles, submerged timber, and fishing piers using small tube jigs or live bait under a slip float set just above the cover.

Summer heat pushes fish into current and deeper water. On the Scioto and Olentangy, smallmouth bass stack in riffles, current seams, and below bridge pilings right through downtown Columbus. Ned rigs, 1/8 oz marabou jigs, and small topwater walkers match the river’s forage and current speed. Night fishing shines on Hoover Reservoir and O’Shaughnessy for channel catfish and flatheads; cut shad, bluegill chunks, or chicken liver fished on a simple Carolina rig around channel edges and drop-offs produces steady bites.

Autumn brings some of the most predictable fishing in Columbus. As shad migrate shallow, work squarebill crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and medium-diving cranks along rocky banks and windblown shorelines on Alum Creek, Griggs, and smaller city lakes. Saugeye schooling in open water around Hoover can be tracked with electronics; once located, vertical jig with spoons or blade baits right on the bait schools. Panfish pack on weight in coves and marinas—downsized jigs in natural colors catch numbers, while slightly larger presentations tempt bigger fish.

Winter does not shut things down. Open water persists most years on the Scioto and Olentangy where warmwater discharges and current keep ramps and shorelines accessible. Fish slow and small: 1/16 oz jigs with soft plastics for river smallmouth, and blade baits crawled along bottom for saugeye near dam outflows. Stocked trout in selected central Ohio lakes respond to PowerBait on light leaders or small inline spinners retrieved very slowly.

Across the Columbus area, bank access is excellent in metro parks and city reservoirs, so focus more on reading water than on owning a boat. Look for changes: current breaks, depth transitions, rock-to-mud seams, and isolated cover. Keep presentations simple, carry a compact selection of proven baits for bass, saugeye, catfish, and panfish, and adjust lure size and speed to water temperature for consistent results.

The Best Fishing Spots around Columbus

Alum Creek Lake

A large, deep reservoir north of Columbus, Alum Creek Lake offers smallmouth and largemouth bass action on rocky points and timber, strong spring crappie bites in coves, summer white bass runs, and opportunities for saugeye, muskellunge, and channel catfish; trolling main-lake humps and fishing shoreline wood produce year-round, with peak bass activity in late spring and early fall, and excellent ice-out crappie near creek mouths; it pairs well with nearby Hoover Reservoir for multi-day trips.

Hoover Reservoir

A renowned central Ohio fishery, Hoover Reservoir is known for crappie around standing timber and brush, hard-fighting hybrid striped bass (wipers) on windblown points, quality smallmouth and largemouth bass on riprap and breaks, plus channel and flathead catfish; spring crappie and wiper bites are standout, summer dawn topwater can be electric, and fall shad migrations concentrate predators; compare patterns with Alum Creek Lake for similar structure.

Scioto River

Flowing through Columbus, the Scioto River offers urban-access fishing for smallmouth bass on current seams and rocky riffles, seasonal saugeye below dams and low-head structures, plentiful channel and flathead catfish in deeper holes, and carp on flats; best action comes in spring and early summer during moderate flows and again in early fall, with kayaks unlocking mid-river structure while shoreline anglers work eddies near bridges and park access points like those by Griggs Reservoir.

Buckeye Lake

East of Columbus, Buckeye Lake is a broad, shallow lake producing strong spring and fall bites for largemouth bass around docks and vegetation, excellent crappie along canal edges and submerged brush, and dependable saugeye and channel catfish on points and riprap; drifting or trolling along outside weedlines shines in summer, while shore anglers score on windward shores and piers; many anglers pair a Buckeye sunrise with an afternoon session at Alum Creek Lake.

O'Shaughnessy Reservoir

Backed by the O'Shaughnessy Dam on the Scioto, this reservoir features solid saugeye along drop-offs and riprap, smallmouth and largemouth bass on rocky points and submerged timber, seasonal white bass runs, and good crappie in coves; spring prespawn and fall cooling trends concentrate fish shallow, while summer trolling or jigging mid-lake breaks is productive; many anglers also target the river section below the dam toward Griggs Reservoir for current-oriented smallmouth.

Griggs Reservoir

A convenient in-city stretch of the Scioto, Griggs Reservoir yields smallmouth bass on riprap and bridge pilings, reliable crappie around wood and marinas, plus saugeye on points and drop-offs and catfish in deeper bends; spring and early summer bring active shoreline bites, while low-light summer periods favor topwater and moving baits; it links well with upstream O'Shaughnessy Reservoir and downstream river reaches for varied conditions.

Olentangy River

A classic wading and kayak river, the Olentangy offers fast action for smallmouth bass and rock bass around riffles, laydowns, and undercut banks, with occasional saugeye in deeper pools and seasonal channel catfish; best windows are late spring through early fall when moderate flows and clear water prevail, and finesse presentations shine; anglers often hop between this river and the nearby Scioto River to match flow and clarity.

Big Darby Creek

A scenic, biodiverse creek west of Columbus, Big Darby Creek rewards careful presentations for smallmouth bass and rock bass in riffle runs, pools, and bend holes, with summer topwater and subsurface finesse tactics producing; spring through early fall offers the most consistent action, especially at dawn and dusk; paddlers and waders can cover prime stretches, and many anglers pair a day here with time on the Olentangy River for similar smallmouth patterns.

Deer Creek Lake

Southwest of Columbus, Deer Creek Lake is a multi-species reservoir featuring strong crappie around brush and creek channels, quality largemouth bass on weed edges and timber, dependable saugeye along points and riprap, and good channel catfish in deeper holes; spring crappie and prespawn bass are highlights, summer night bites for saugeye and catfish are popular, and fall shad movements consolidate predators; it complements trips to Buckeye Lake for crappie seekers.

Antrim Lake

A clear, easy-access Columbus lake, Antrim Lake offers bank-friendly fishing for stocked rainbow trout in cool seasons, plus resident largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish along edges and drop-offs; early mornings and overcast days produce with small spinners and finesse plastics, while trout respond to spoons, PowerBait, and flies; it’s a convenient add-on to river sessions on the nearby Olentangy River.

Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Columbus area

We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Columbus. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.

Rich Street Low Head Dam - 0.73292376203km , Olentangy River - 1.60697079877km , Greenlawn Avenue Low Head Dam - 2.24331436087km , Fifth Avenue Low Head Dam - 3.77446459714km , Bliss Run - 6.05204973768km , Argyle-Woodland Run - 6.14421965129km , Ackerman Run - 6.26663913692km , Glen Echo Run - 6.53037961137km , Kian Run - 6.54031029591km , Buckeye Swamp - 6.75855011102km , Walhalla Creek - 7.2649306721km , Scioto Big Run - 9.15921179591km , Adena Brook - 9.24863299762km , Ohio State University Golf Course Lake Dam - 9.57284302605km , Julian Griggs Dam - 10.17101461338km , Mulberry Run - 10.93632107338km , Mason Run - 11.02271997827km , Grove City Creek - 11.10350757076km , Republican Run - 11.37922370539km , Bill Moose Run - 11.67879565802km , Alum Creek - 11.83071643836km , Blacklick Creek - 11.87769743589km , Rocky Fork Creek - 11.95038903434km , Grant Run - 13.10211643196km , Hayden Run - 15.09086890578km , Brookside Country Club Lake Dam - 15.55567118706km , Thoreau Pond Dam - 16.76199517554km , Little Jordan Run - 17.06923777455km , Big Walnut Creek - 18.03787420913km , George Creek - 18.07786943742km , South Fork Indian Run - 18.75739940334km , North Fork Indian Run - 18.77055155888km , Hoover Dam - 19.10079314452km , Timber Lake Dam - 19.94777432571km , Little Darby Creek - 20.18021700848km , Running Bear Run - 21.09305438905km , Gay Run - 21.15487647683km , Hellbranch Run - 21.24713448724km , Bartholomew Run - 21.25250890834km , Silver Creek Dam - 21.29997036967km

Harbours and Marinas Beaches Bays Wharfs Points,Reefs,etc
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