Skip to content

Species · Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

More abundant than smallmouth on Hoover. Docks, weeds, and shoreline cover (public water).

Season

Time of day

Dawn, dusk, and night around lighted public structure. Midday summer often needs shade or deeper edges.

Where on Hoover

  • Public shoreline cover, weed edges, and ramp areas (Oxbow, Redbank, etc.).
  • Creek arms and quieter banks.

Water maps · ODNR depth PDF (2001 @ 894 ft)

Limits reminder, verify

Statewide black bass rule from the ODNR Fishing Regulations 2026–27; Hoover has no bass exception.

RuleReminder (verify 2026–27)
Largemouth / smallmouth / spotted combinedDaily 5
Minimum length12″

Reminder only. Confirm on HuntFish OH / ODNR licenses and the current ODNR regs before you keep fish. Cite: ODNR Fishing Regulations 2026–27 (verify current).

Gear

Sized for bank reality and ≤10 hp boats. Hoover is a drinking-water reservoir.

  • Medium spinning or baitcasting, 8–14 lb line (fluoro or braid+leader).
  • Bank-friendly: soft plastics, spinnerbaits, topwater for low light.

Bait & presentation

  • Soft plastics (worms, creature baits), spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater at night.
  • Bank: parallel cast along weed/rock edges.

Notes

ODNR Hoover page: largemouth more abundant than smallmouth. Aggregate limit with smallmouth/spotted.

Water & maps

Contours, pool correction, public ramps.

Log a trip

Targeting Largemouth bass : private browser log or community submit.
Unofficial notebook only, not ODNR, the City of Columbus or USGS. License required ages 16+. Confirm regs before you keep fish.