Morel Mushrooms in Ohio

Morel mushroom hunting is a popular pursuit in Ohio. Read on to discover how and where to find Morel mushrooms in Ohio.

About Morel Mushrooms

Morel mushrooms are not to everyone’s taste, they have an earthy, nutty flavor. But this variety is a premium find if you are a keen mushroom hunter!

The season is between four and six weeks, typically between March and May. There are four types of Morel mushrooms, the black Morel, the gray Morel, the yellow Morel, and the Bigfoots. Bigfoots are very rare and are up to 10 times the size of the other Morels. They appear late in the season.

Morel mushroom season starts in the south of Ohio and works its way north, so if you want to ‘chase Morels’, start in the south and move northward each week.

The best places to find Morels are at the base of dead trees, particularly ash and elm, under or beside fallen trees, under bark, and where there has been fire or flood.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has produced a series of four videos about Morel Mushrooms, from finding them to cooking them. Each one is shown below with the main points listed after the video.

Where to Find Morels and Identification

Main Points

• Normally associated with ash trees and elm trees, particularly dead ones. Also look at the bases of apple trees and Tulip Poplars.
• Beware of False Morels – they are poisonous! When you get your morels home, be sure to cut them lengthwise and make sure they are hollow in the middle.

Mushroom Hunting Tips

Main Points

• The date for Morel hunting is less important than what is in flower. When Redbuds, Violets, and Trilliums are in bloom, the mushrooms will be in peak season.
• It’s a good idea to wear long pants as you may encounter poison ivy, bugs, and/or snakes.
• Carry two bags with you. One is for morels you are sure of, and the other is for those that you’re not certain about, to keep them separate. The bags should be made of mesh (like onion bags) so the spores can fall through to the forest floor.

Finding and Picking Morels

Main Points

• Scan the area you are hunting in. If you spot a fallen tree, take a look. If nothing is immediately obvious, use a walking stick to gently move the leaves around to see if there are any mushrooms. If you find one, there will almost certainly be more.
• To pick the mushroom, pinch the base so that you don’t disturb the root and everything that is underground.
• Never ask another mushroom hunter where they found their hoard – they won’t tell you and it’s considered poor etiquette!

Preparing and Cooking Morels

Main Points

• Check your mushrooms are real and not false Morels. The cap should be attached to the stem all around, it doesn’t hang like a bell on the stem. Cut the mushroom lengthwise and make sure it is hollow. False Morels have white fibers along the center. ‘If it’s not hollow, don’t swallow!’
• To clean the mushrooms, use a spray bottle and spray over a bowl. You can then take the bowl of water that now has spores in it and pour it at the base of a tree in your yard, or a nearby tree if possible – you never know, you may have your own crop next year!
• There are many recipes out there for cooking Morels, such as this air fryer method. The mushrooms in this recipe are stuffed and breaded.

Morel Mushroom Hunting in State Parks

Many of Ohio’s State Parks, State Forests, and State Wildlife Areas allow mushroom hunting, but there are rules so you will need to contact the park office. One rule that applies to all parks is that you must stay on the trail, off-trail collecting is prohibited.

Many National Parks do not permit mushroom hunting. It is important to check with the park office if you wish to look for Morels in any of these parks.

Map of State-Run Locations

This map shows most of the State Parks (green icon), State Forests (orange icon), and State Wildlife Areas (red icon). If you click on any of the locations it will show the phone number of the office.

Let’s Go Morel Mushroom Hunting in Ohio!

Do you go mushroom hunting for Morels or any other varieties? Have you discovered them in any unusual places? We would love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience with us.

If you are the outdoor type, you may like spotting Ohio Wildflowers, Hawks in Ohio, Woodpeckers in Ohio, Hummingbirds, and Caterpillars. Be sure to know about the pesky Ticks in Ohio before you head out!