LivewellOhio · River
Little Scioto River (Southeast Ohio River Tributary)
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Little Scioto River (Southeast Ohio River Tributary), by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
4 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PCBs
Ohio also has statewide guidance
Ohio publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 11 recommendations covering 11 species — in addition to anything listed for Little Scioto River (Southeast Ohio River Tributary) below.
Strictest statewide rule: Flathead Catfish, Over 23" — Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Little Scioto River (Southeast Ohio River Tributary)
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Rock Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Spotted Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Little Scioto River (Southeast Ohio River Tributary)
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are Ohio's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 15" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 30" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | — | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Ohio — Ohio DNR