River guide
River story
History, landscapes and river context
Fishing
Species, water and places to explore
Boating
Paddling, boating and access
Live data
Current USGS gauges along the river
LIVE GREAT MIAMI RIVER DATA
Great Miami River levels, gauges and monitoring stations
Check the live river overview or open an individual USGS gauge for current streamflow, gauge height, trends and historical context.
EXPLORE THE RIVER
Follow the Great Miami
Trace the Great Miami from the Indian Lake region through Sidney, Troy, Dayton, Middletown and Hamilton to the Ohio River.
Loading river map…
River path derived from U.S. Geological Survey NLDI hydrography.
FISHING
Fishing the river
The Great Miami is a classic western Ohio warmwater river, especially well known for smallmouth bass while also supporting catfish, saugeye, crappie and other species.
Fish you may encounter
Smallmouth Bass
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Saugeye
Black Crappie
Carp
Where the river changes
FISHING AREA
Sidney to Troy ↗Upper-river reaches mix riffles, pools and deeper bends, creating strong smallmouth and general warmwater habitat.
FISHING AREA
DaytonMultiple tributaries join the Great Miami around Dayton, producing varied current and urban river fishing opportunities.
FISHING AREA
Miamisburg to Middletown ↗A broader middle river with long pools, riffles and extensive public trail and river access.
FISHING AREA
Hamilton and the lower river ↗The Great Miami becomes a larger river approaching the Ohio, with increasing opportunities for catfish and other big-river species.
Before you fish
- Smallmouth bass are a signature Great Miami River fishery.
- Flow changes around dams and tributary mouths can strongly affect fishing conditions.
- Check current Ohio fishing regulations before fishing.
BOATING & PADDLING
On the water
The Great Miami River Water Trail forms a 156-mile recreation corridor with 60 public access points, spanning small-craft paddling water and several deeper reaches used by motorized boats.
Sidney and Troy ↗
Upper sections provide river-town paddling with numerous access points and several dams that require trip planning.
Kayaking Canoeing Fishing
Dayton
The river passes through the center of the Miami Valley and connects with the Stillwater and Mad rivers.
Kayaking Canoeing Rowing Fishing
Middletown to Hamilton ↗
The lower water trail follows a broad river through Butler County before continuing toward the Ohio River.
Kayaking Canoeing Fishing Recreational boating
Know before you go
- The water trail contains dams and other hazards; check the current official water-trail map before every trip.
- Do not approach low-head dams from upstream unless following a documented portage.
- River level, weather and releases can substantially change paddling conditions.
PARKS & ACCESS
Places to reach the river
Johnston Park River Access ↗
Public Great Miami River access within the upper portion of the National Water Trail.
Taylorsville MetroPark ↗
Major Great Miami recreation area north of Dayton with water-trail access and trails.
Bicentennial Commons ↗
Riverfront park and water-trail location overlooking the Great Miami in Middletown.
Hamilton River Access ↗
Lower-river public access within the Hamilton section of the Great Miami Riverway.
Taylorsville MetroPark
Large river-corridor park north of Dayton with trails, natural areas and Great Miami access.
Bicentennial Commons
Middletown riverfront park connected to the Great Miami River Trail.