Home › Ohio › Public land › North Bass Island State Park
State park · District 2 ground
North Bass Island State Park hunting, rules and county limits
593 acres managed as a state park in Ottawa County.
Photo: Niagara66 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Getting to North Bass Island State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near North Bass Island State Park
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Access and conduct rules at North Bass Island State Park
The status layer says restricted, so check which zones of North Bass Island State Park allow hunting.
- Hunting deer over bait is illegal here.
- Only two antlerless deer may come from public hunting areas each year.
- Hunting is legal only where the park map allows it.
- No hunting within 400 feet of campgrounds, picnic areas, shelters, latrines, parking lots or other structures.
- No shooting on, from or across roads, driveways or trails.
- Permanent blinds are by permit.
From the agency page, public hunting area rules, OAC 1501:46-15-07; checked November 6, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around North Bass Island State Park
Getting to know the North Bass Island State Park ground
This state park in Ottawa County spans 593 acres under the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft. It belongs to ODNR Wildlife District 2 (Northwest Ohio), whose office is in Findlay. The listing describes Lake Erie on the ground. Activities beyond the hunt: boating, hiking, paddling and fishing. Land tenure in the ODNR layer: owned outright by the state. Ohio rule 1501:31-15-04(A)(2) names it ("North bass island") as land open to public hunting.
ODNR sums it up:
“September 28th – November 9th: The ferry ramp will be out of service while it's being renovated.”
The acreage runs from 447 to 593 depending on the layer; the headline figure is 593.
| Source | Size (ac) |
|---|---|
| Property Details layer | 593 |
| Hunting-status layer | 447 |
| GIS parcel area | 452 |
From the ODNR property page, ODNR hunting-status layer, OAC; retrieved 2026-11-05, checked November 6, 2026.
North Bass Island State Park: open seasons for its listed game
Listed game: waterfowl, fox and trapping. Dates follow. Duck and goose rows follow waterfowl Zone B.
| Species | Hunt | First day | Last day | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red fox | Hunting | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Red fox | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Gray fox | Hunting | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Gray fox | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Mink | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | No limit |
| Muskrat | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | No limit |
| Mink | Lake Erie trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | No limit |
| Muskrat | Lake Erie trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | No limit |
| Beaver | Trapping | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | No limit |
| River otter | Trapping | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 1 of the 3 |
| Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | 5 daily |
| Teal | Early teal | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | 6 daily |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 1) | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 6 ducks daily |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 2) | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | 6 ducks daily |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 1) | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 5 daily |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 2) | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | 5 daily |
| Ducks | Youth waterfowl | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | Regular limits |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | Regular limits |
Dates and limits from the 2026-27 hunting seasons list and the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations; species from the record (ODNR property page hunting text); checked November 6, 2026.
North Bass Island State Park: deer limits and zones by county
Ottawa County is a 3-deer county for 2026-27. ODNR counted 851 deer in Ottawa County for 2025-26, 507 of them antlerless. So far in 2026-27 (through November 3, 2026) the county shows 196.
| County | Deer limit | DSA | Duck zone | Spring turkey | Fall turkey | Deer 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa County | 3 deer | No | A | South | Closed | 851 |
From the deer bag limit map, DSA, waterfowl zones, turkey zones, 2025-26 deer harvest report, harvest to date (ODNR Division of Wildlife); checked November 6, 2026.
Ohio hunting ground a short drive from North Bass Island State Park
The nearest other public hunting ground is Fox's Marsh Wildlife Area, under a mile off to the southwest. The six nearest places include 4 wildlife areas and 2 state parks. Closed to hunting nearby: Middle Bass Island State Park (park without hunting), Oak Point State Park (park without hunting) and Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial (NPS memorial).
| Nearby | Type | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox's Marsh Wildlife Area | Wildlife area | 133 | Ottawa | under a mile | southwest |
| Honey Point Wildlife Area | Wildlife area | 8 | Ottawa | under a mile | southeast |
| Kuehnle Wildlife Area | Wildlife area | 19 | Ottawa | 2 miles | south |
| Kelleys Island State Park | State park | 677 | Erie | 10 miles | southeast |
| East Harbor State Park | State park | 1,831 | Ottawa | 12 miles | south |
| West Harbor Wildlife Area | Wildlife area | 77 | Ottawa | 13 miles | south |
Point: ODNR DNR_Lands_Hunting_Status layer, 1 parcel (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Closed places from the lands.json closed list. Checked November 6, 2026. Statewide public land map.
Towns and outfitters a short drive from North Bass Island State Park
Count on Port Clinton, about 16 miles out, for supplies. A bigger stop is Sandusky, population 24,174. The nearest ODNR office sits in Sandusky, 19 miles from the point.
| Community | County | Residents | Straight line | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Clinton | Ottawa | 5,915 | 16 miles | southwest |
| Sandusky | Erie | 24,174 | 19 miles | south |
| Castalia | Erie | 746 | 22 miles | south |
| Wightmans Grove | Sandusky | – | 23 miles | southwest |
| Reno Beach | Lucas | – | 23 miles | west |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); ODNR offices and businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 6, 2026.
Phone numbers and maps for North Bass Island State Park
Wildlife District Two staff work from 952 Lima Ave, Findlay, OH 45840; phone 419-424-5000. County wildlife officer: Reid Van Cleve, (419) 429-8389. Turn in a poacher at 1-800-POACHER (762-2437).
- Hunting map PDF · legend: lake
- Geologic Guidebook: Parks in the Lake Erie Region (pdf)
- North Bass Island State Park Map
- Google Maps pin
Address and phone from the agency page and the ODNR Property Details layer; district offices from the ODNR Districts layer; officers from the officer list; point from ODNR DNR_Lands_Hunting_Status layer, 1 parcel (polygon centroid of the largest part); checked November 6, 2026.
Photo strip: land and game around North Bass Island State Park
Sun-up to sundown hunting clock for North Bass Island State Park
Furbearers have no hour limit in Ohio, but in the deer gun and muzzleloader weeks coyote hunting near North Bass Island State Park keeps to deer hours.
| Date | Why it matters | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer window | Ducks and squirrels | Sunrise birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 7:21 a.m. | 7:24 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 7:54 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. | 7:21 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Rabbit and pheasant | 7:09 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:52 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Second duck split | 7:19 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 5:43 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Deer gun week | 7:37 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. | 7:37 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:55 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. | 7:55 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. |
| Jan 2, 2027 | Muzzleloader | 7:58 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. to 5:41 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. | 7:58 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Eastern Time); checked November 6, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Public range and clubs on the road to North Bass Island State Park
North Bass Island State Park hunters reach Resthaven Wildlife Area Shooting Range, the nearest ODNR-listed range, after about 21 miles. The other cards show clubs a 30-mile drive or less away.
From ODNR’s public range list and range pages, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 6, 2026.
North Bass Island State Park, answered one question at a time
Which parts of North Bass Island State Park allow hunting?
Not all of it: ODNR lists it as restricted, so use the hunting map.
What is the deadline to report a deer from North Bass Island State Park?
Deer and turkeys go through the electronic game check by noon the next day.
Do Sunday rules limit hunting at North Bass Island State Park?
Yes; Ohio sets no Sunday ban.
What licenses and permits cover a hunt on North Bass Island State Park?
Your Ohio license and the right permit. First-time buyers need hunter education or an apprentice license.
How big is the North Bass Island State Park property in acres?
Roughly 593 acres all told. Other sources differ a little; see the acreage table.
What deer limit covers North Bass Island State Park?
3 deer, the Ottawa County limit. The statewide limit is six, one antlered; public land adds a two-antlerless cap.
Does North Bass Island State Park have lottery hunts?
Not in 2026: hunt it during the open seasons without a draw.
Duck zone and split dates for North Bass Island State Park?
Zone B dates apply: Oct 17 to Oct 25, 2026; Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027.
Where can hunters stay overnight at North Bass Island State Park?
Use the campground; hunting is barred within 400 feet of camping areas.
Can I hang a stand on North Bass Island State Park?
Stands must be portable; bait and feed are prohibited.
When is hunter orange required on North Bass Island State Park?
In gun and muzzleloader seasons: an orange garment, unless you hunt waterfowl.
When is legal shooting light for deer at North Bass Island State Park?
On the gun opener (November 30, 2026): 7:07 a.m. to 5:33 p.m.
Who should I phone about hunting North Bass Island State Park?
The area phone is (419) 609-4124.
North Bass Island State Park: the night-before checklist
Use this page to plan, then reread the official page for North Bass Island State Park the week before the trip.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4 · source 5 · source 6; seasons from the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked November 6, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); born1945 (CC BY 2.0).