Episode 7.8: The Mud Mermaids of the Ohio River

In the 1800s, newspapers reported sightings of mysterious half-human, half-fish creatures lurking along the Ohio River. Were these strange beings real, exaggerated tales, or simply folklore passed down through generations?

Sources:

“Here Are 17 Uncommon Curiosities Reportedly Found in the Ohio River.” Cincinnati Magazine. https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/article/here-are-17-uncommon-curiosities-reportedly-found-in-the-ohio-river/.

Indiana Historical Bureau. “Indiana History Blog.” Indiana History Blog. https://blog.history.in.gov/category/media/page/4/.

“Mud Mermaid.” Dye Mad Yarns. Accessed October 19, 2026. https://dyemadyarns.com/products/mud-mermaid.

“Mud Mermaids.” Cryptid Wiki, Fandom. Accessed October 19, 2026. https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Mud_Mermaids.

Shepard, T. A. “Ohio River Mud Mermaids.” The Compendium of Arcane Beasts and Critters, June 3, 2018. https://arcanebeastsandcritters.wordpress.com/2018/06/03/ohio-river-mud-mermaids/.

TheresaHPIR. “Ohio River Mud Mermaids.” Theresa’s Haunted History of the Tri-State, August 12, 2026. https://theresashauntedhistoryofthetri-state.blogspot.com/2026/08/ohio-river-mud-mermaids.html.