Hunting & Fishing

Seek out a wild new adventure...

The wilderness of Southeast Ohio is known for its plentiful game. Hunters from all over the world flock to the state in search of deer, wild turkey, pheasant, and quail that thrive in the hills and valleys of Washington County

Wild Turkey: There are two seasons for hunting wild turkey in Ohio-April and October.

White-tailed Deer: Archery season is late September to February. Gun season is held for one week in late fall.

Ringneck Pheasant: Ohio's pheasant season runs from November to January.

Bobwhite Quail: Hunting season for quail lasts through most of November.

Ducks/Geese: Split season begins in September. Late Season Opportunities are still available after all the lakes and rivers are frozen over up north.

Permission is required to hunt on private property; however thousands of acres are open for public hunting and fishing with a free permit.

Washington County has many peaceful fishing spots tucked away along the waterways. With two rivers, a lake, and many streams, public fi
shing areas abound.

Catfish, white bass, and hybrid stripers can be found in the Muskingum River. Hybrid striped bass and sauger are caught from the shores of the Ohio River. Veto Lake boasts populations of bass, bluegill, sunfish, and catfish.

Broughton's Nature and Wildlife Education Area has two stocked ponds and Leith Run Recreation Area features shoreline fishing along the Ohio River. Great fishing can also be found at Duck Creek, the little Hocking River, and Wolf Creek.

Historic Harmar Village

Just west of downtown Marietta, nestled between the river and the hillside, you'll discover Harmar Village- a charming historic district with shops, museums, restaurants, and a distinctive crossing on the Muskingum River.

Before the Ohio company made their historic trek, the newly formed US government established a fortification here for the purpose of discouraging squatters. As it turned out, Fort Harmar only served to embolden illegal settlers who mistakenly believed the military presence would prevent attacks from Native Americans. Today the site of the fort has been overtaken by the river, yet the district is still called by its name.

Harmar was settled as part of Marietta in 1788, but seceded for a time in the 1900s. The Lewis and Clark Expedition landed here in 1803. During the Civil War, the village was home to abolitionists active in harboring slaves through the Underground Railroad.

More than 200 Harmar buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Children's Toy and Doll Museum and the Henry Fearing House Museum invite visitors to explore the past. The Anchorage crowns Putnam Avenue as one of the area's most significant architectural achievements.

Harmar Village is connected to downtown Marietta via the Harmar Railroad Bridge. Originally a covered bridge, it was built on the existing piers in 1856 with a span that turns by hand to allow for the passage of large riverboats. After it was retired from railroad use, the bridge was transformed into a scenic walkway linking the east and west sides of Marietta.

The Historic Harmar Train Bridge connects Marietta and Harmar Village

Guided Tours

Guided Tours are available at many of the area's finest attractions to enhance your experience.

Friendly docents stand by to escort you through a journey of Marietta's early history at the Campus Martius Museum or board the WP Snyder, Jr. at the Ohio River Museum. Call the Henry Fearing House Museum, an 1847 Federal style home in Harmar Village, for a taste of middle class life during the Victorian Era.

Epic and full of beauty, The Castle offers an architectural walking tour of Marietta's historic residential district. While the grand Civil War era mansion always offers a guided walk through of the house, seasonal events like Victorian Christmas  tours are full of holiday splendor.

Explore the mysterious and spooky side of Ohio's first settlement with a to
ur of haunted Marietta. Departing from the fountain near the Lafayette Hotel each Friday and Saturday evening, the Ghost Trek walking tour is lead by ghost hunter and author Lynne Sturtevant.

Hop aboard a trolley for a 90- minute ride through Marietta's historic district. A knowledgeable guide will point out the most interesting architectural features and tell the stories behind them.

Visit a pre-Civil War era plantation complete with an incredible collection of original furnishings and artifacts-- a place where the debate over slavery was waged in earnest. Henderson Hall near Williamstown, West Virginia is open year round.

The Trolley Tour is one of the most popular guided tours offered in Marietta-Washington County.

Wildlife Refuge and Bird Watching

The Mid Ohio Valley is home to an abundance of wildlife and bird watching opportunities-and spectators are always in season!

The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge facility near Williamstown, West Virginia consists of 3,300 acres-22 islands and three mainland tracks-scattered along 400 miles of beautiful river.

A nature trail offers an amazing view of wildlife and wetlands habitats on Middle Island. You'll find deer, rabbit, fox and groundhogs as well as great blue herons, belted kingfishers, osprey and other species of water loving birds.

Optimal viewing times are early in the morning or at dusk. The refuge is open to the public without admission fees from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset.

With many public lands open for wildlife observation, southeastern Ohio is a haven for birdwatchers.

In the middle of Marietta, the Kroger Wetlands is a wooded retreat with a stunning diversity of species. Outside the city limits, the Broughton Nature and wildlife Education Area includes 500 acres of undisturbed land ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

Newell's Run, near Newport, is a favorite locale for spotting brilliant waterfowl-including majestic bald eagles. Four birding trails along the Lower Muskingum River boast more t han 40 species of song birds and waterfowl. The Wayne National Forest features observation decks designated viewing areas to make the most of your experience.