Yes, bald eagles are present and flourishing across Ohio. The species’ recovery from near-extinction within Ohio’s borders stands as an achievement in wildlife conservation. Today, these raptors are a common sight near the state’s major waterways. Their resurgence transformed them from a rare, endangered sight to a thriving population, making the Buckeye State a premier location for viewing America’s national bird.
Current Population Status in Ohio
The bald eagle population in Ohio has established a robust presence. The most recent statewide census, conducted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, confirmed 964 active bald eagle nests in 2025. This number represents a substantial increase from the 707 nests documented just five years prior in 2020, demonstrating the species’ continued growth.
While the western Lake Erie marsh region remains the historical stronghold, eagles are now found in nearly all of Ohio’s 88 counties. Counties like Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie host the highest concentration of nests due to abundant coastal wetland habitat and accessible food resources. Inland areas along major rivers and reservoirs, such as the Muskingum and Scioto rivers and Grand Lake St. Marys, are seeing significant nesting activity. The ODNR tracks this population through aerial surveys conducted in spring and public reports submitted by citizen scientists.
The History of Bald Eagle Recovery
The bald eagle’s current success is notable given its precarious status just a few decades ago. By 1979, the population in Ohio had plummeted to a low of only four nesting pairs. This decline was primarily driven by the widespread use of the synthetic pesticide Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in the mid-20th century.
DDT entered the food chain through fish, accumulating in the eagles’ bodies and causing a severe disruption in calcium metabolism. This chemical interference resulted in the eagles laying eggs with shells so thin that they often cracked under the weight of the incubating parent, leading to reproductive failure. Following the federal ban on DDT in 1972, the environment slowly began to heal, but the remaining Ohio pairs still struggled to reproduce successfully.
Ohio’s recovery program in the 1980s employed an intensive management strategy focused on “fostering” young birds. Biologists introduced healthy eaglets, often hatched in captive breeding programs at Ohio zoos, into the state’s few remaining wild nests. These “clean birds” were raised by the wild adult eagles, ensuring they developed a proper geographical imprint and natural behaviors free from the chemical contamination that plagued the native population.
This effort, which included banding young birds and strengthening existing nests, proved effective in establishing a viable population. The species was removed from the federal threatened and endangered species list in 2007 and then from Ohio’s state list in 2012.
Prime Viewing Locations and Ethical Observation
Winter offers the best opportunities for viewing bald eagles in Ohio, as the lack of foliage allows for unobstructed views of their massive nests high in trees. Courtship and nest-building activities begin in January, with eggs typically laid and incubated throughout February and March. When major water bodies freeze, eagles concentrate around areas of open water, such as tailwaters below dams or warm water discharges.
The Lake Erie shoreline remains a primary destination, as these marsh areas provide a rich supply of fish and feature designated viewing areas like the Crane Creek estuary. Farther inland, major river corridors and large reservoirs also offer consistent sightings.
Prime Viewing Locations
- Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
- Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
- Muskingum, Hocking, and Scioto Rivers
- Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area
Ethical observation is paramount, as bald eagles remain protected under state and federal law, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Viewers should maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from a nest or an eagle, especially during the nesting season. Disturbing nesting pairs while they are incubating eggs or raising young can cause them to abandon the nest, which is illegal and harmful. Use of binoculars or a spotting scope is highly recommended to observe the birds without encroaching on their space or altering their natural behavior.