Fishing Licenses AND Lake Erie Fishing Permits

Who needs a license?
Every person age 16 or older must possess a valid Ohio Fishing License.

NEW LAW for 2019 - Who needs a Lake Erie Fishing Permit?
Every NON-RESIDENT age 16 or older fishing Lake Erie from Jan. 1 through April 30.
This permit is REQUIRED IN ADDITION to a valid Ohio Fishing License.

Throughout most of the season, we are able to produce excellent catches of Lake Erie Walleye and Perch in Ohio waters of Lake Erie. However, at certain times of the year, we may recommend fishing Canadian waters of Lake Erie to ensure a successful trip. This determination is typically made only 1 or 2 days prior. Fishing with 'Eye-Catcher Charters, even in Canadian waters, you DO NOT need a passport!

PLEASE NOTE: We are one of the few charters that are legally PERMITTED to fish in Canada! It's estimated that less than 7% of Lake Erie Charter Captains obtain the annual permit to charter in Canadian waters. If you decide to book a trip into Canadian waters with someone else, and they cannot show you a valid "Canadian Foreign Temporary Worker Work Permit", you may be taking a HUGE risk of fines and/or arrest. We love Canada, they are friendly to us, but they DO protect their borders, and ultimately, it IS a foreign country! In 2017, Canada suspended the "Call-In" requirement, but they STILL enforce the requirement of charters to have a valid WORK PERMIT.
If you have any doubts about your personal permission to enter Canada legally, please contact Canadian Customs to verify your status.

Ohio Fishing License

If we are fishing the Ohio waters of Lake Erie, you will need to possess at least a 1-Day Ohio Fishing License. Ohio Residents, or people planning on fishing Ohio waters of Lake Erie more than once per season may choose to purchase a Resident or Annual Non-Resident Fishing License.
NON-RESIDENTS from Jan 1. through April 30 ALSO require a Lake Erie Fishing PERMIT. The cost is $11.00, valid for the period of Jan 1. through April 30.
NOTE - Children under the age of 16 (prior to their 16th birthday!) DO NOT require ANY license in Ohio.

Click here to purchase Ohio Fishing License.

Ontario Fishing License

If we are planning on fishing Ontario, Canada waters of Lake Erie, you will need to possess an Ontario 1-Day Sport Fishing License.
Children under the age of 18 are not required to possess a license, but without a license they ARE NOT allowed to keep their limit.
It is recommended that each person, regardless of age, possess the Ontario 1-Day Sport Fishing License. An Outdoors Card is not required with this license.
NOTE - The Conservation License does not allow you to keep your full limit! We do not recommend this license.
The Ontario 1-Day Sport Fishing License cost is CD$23.36 (as of 2/22/19).

Click here to purchase 1-Day Ontario Fishing License