If you have a boat (or rent one when fletchers is open for business) I have had days where I caught dozens of bass going up and down the river. . Largemouth and Smallmouth occupy different areas of the river DC serving as the boundary that separates the two regions. Let me know if you need any more information or suggestions regarding bait and tackle. You make a good point, the Upper Potomac has tons of great spots. The eating-size shrimp become more prevalent closer to the bay. There are lots of reasons why you should prioritize a visit. document.getElementById( "ak_js_39" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A friend is planning a fishing trip to the Metro D.C. area. Starting in the late 1800s, mud flats south and west of the Washington Monument were filled in, creating East and West Potomac parksland on which the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials sit. Just under the bridge, you can find some good spots around Middletown. Lower portions of the river, youll primarily be targeting Largemouth, while the Upper Potomac youll target Smallmouth. Any luck? document.getElementById( "ak_js_55" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Can one tell me where would be a good area to launch my kayak for fishing. There are rocks there but nothing more than a ripple. It offers a picnic area, a view of the picturesque forestry scattered along lake shores, and calm waters to enjoy. For one, its biodiversity. This is a little surprising to some people, since they're not exactly the nicest looking fish in the river. Report back and let us know how the trip went! I fish the tidal basin spring summer and fall and its a great opportunity to catch multiple species gar, bass, striper, crappie, perch, snakehead, etc. Kayak fishing on the Potomac has gained lots of traction over recent years. document.getElementById( "ak_js_9" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I would be highly surprised to see snakeheads above damn 4. Mostly white cats around 16 inches. Let me know if this helps and if you have any other questions. Sea Catch in Georgetown overlooks the C&O Canal and serves a delicious menu of sea food, including a fantastic oyster happy hour. You can also access most of the same waters since VA and MD licenses are both valid for fishing either side of the Potomac. They had an advisory then as well. Also referred to as the Nations River, this tributary represents the cultural and historical seam of the nations capital. Fall is also a good time to target Striped Bass, especially in the Lower Potomac region. Thanks for the good work! Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish can be caught throughout the entire river, but the largest ones are found from DC down to Indian Head. document.getElementById( "ak_js_8" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for your comment. Some people believe you can teach a man to fish. document.getElementById( "ak_js_43" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Loved the article. Stocked trout have been tested and are safe to eat. They also have excellent vision both during the day and at night. There are lots of ways to fish for Bass in the Potomac. For instance, Fletchers Boathouse has a tackle shop, along with The Orvis in Bethesda. In 2018, the Maryland record for Snakehead was broken here a 35-incher weighing in at 19.9 pounds! I live in Alexandria, but Im willing to travel. Ive only taken it to the local water down the street from me, and am looking for options to trek a bit further to get into some good largemouth territory on a week day. Advisories are a recommendation to limit or avoid eating certain . High water levels can cause a normally safe section of the river to have a strong and dangerous current. They are not picky eaters, and will consume smaller fish, crustaceans, mussels, and frogs. Well replace it right now with a more accurate photo. Am curious if you know some good quiet places for fly fishing on the Potomac in NoVa or DC?? DOEE's 2016 Fish Consumption Advisory, out today, recommends that residents not consume eel, carp, or striped bass caught in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers "because they are most contaminated by chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)," which over time can increase one's risk of cancer as . Ive read that any fish caught closer to DC is consider hazardous. Aug 30, 2022. document.getElementById( "ak_js_64" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey Justin, thanks for the comment and glad you liked the article! Areas such as Fletchers Cove, Rock Creek, and Anacostia Park are excellent for day trips, especially if youre looking for a good spot to take your kids. "It's my favorite local . Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988. document.getElementById( "ak_js_59" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); my favorite parts of the upper potomac are great falls, harpersferry to sharpsburg, and dam 5 clear spring but harpersferry area has to be the best part of the upper potomac with a huge smallmouth bass fishery, walleyes and channel cats. I live in Cumberland and float the Potomac many times throughout the summer. . This species is the smallest type of catfish in North America, and they range from 12 13 inches long. Up north past DC, youll most likely encounter smaller schools of Rockfish perfect for beginners starting out on spin tackle. . Water temperatures have slid into the upper 70s. The safety can change day-by-day depending on rain, temperature, and other factors. 2. But there are still ways to ensure you have a safe and fun day on the river. Theyre a favorite due to their strength, versatility, and last but not least, their delicious taste! only thing worth fishing for in the upper potomac near loudoun is carp. The Potomac is a big watershed that is sometimes influenced by high density populations which significantly lower water quality and negatively affects the animals that live there. 2. document.getElementById( "ak_js_37" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Great article. The Santee Cooper lake system includes not one, but two lakes, including South Carolinas Inland Sea and the states third-largest lake. Thanks for reading! Fish consumption advisories have been in place on the South River and South Fork Shenandoah River since the mid-1970s. The last thing you want is to be slapped with a fine for not having a license or targeting something that isnt in season. Are Potomac River fish safe to eat? document.getElementById( "ak_js_24" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for the article! This species closely resembles other panfish, but they have a few distinguishing characteristics. Thanks for reading and for the update! From here, youll be able to target lots of the same species as on the Maryland side. Have you checked out any parts of the Lower Potomac yet? I want to explore areas of the Potomac targeting Lg/Sm Bass and snakeheads. The Fish Guide is a useful tool to help anglers make informed decisions about eating caught fish. If so, where can you buy them in the city? Whether you plan on joining a guide, renting a kayak, or exploring on foot, youll have a number of options to choose from. It should be a day . Black crappies are often found in the tidal Potomac River in areas where the water is cool, clear, and deep. Anywhere above the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, youll have to buy a DC fishing license. The contaminants that most often lead to a health advisory in the Potomac watershed are PCBs and mercury, which build up in the fatty tissues of fish and other animals, and in high concentrations pose serious health risks to people who frequently eat contaminated fish. Another angler we saw reported equally dismal results. Let me know if you need any more info! If you have enough time, I recommend heading to Pohick Bay on the VA side, as well as Mattawoman Creek in MD. 2023 FishingBooker.com. Just keep in mind, theres probably a small fee. Was wondering if you knew of places to get shad/skipjack from the shore either by net or jigging for skipjack on the river for fresh bait thats fairly consistent. Now what. You can use slip-sinker rigs with floaters. Big name sponsors such as Bassmaster and Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) host annual competitions here, attracting hundreds of Bass fishermen from all over the country. Any suggestions? In my previous column, I wrote what inspired me about fishing. I hear you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_12" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for reaching out, Im glad you liked it! Pond Informer is growing community of pond & lake professionals, ecologists, and scientific writers, with a passion for all things ponds, wetlands, and sustainable conservation. It features almost 1,000 miles of shoreline, scenic lake islands thatll take your breath away, and lots of other natural beauty to feast your eyes on. These fish are an olive-green color with vertical bands on the side of the body, and these bands tend to fade with age. Fletchers Cove Boathouse and Key Bridge Boathouse have several options available, including kayaks. Mercury is a neurotoxin and it is not to be trifled with. Research has shown them to like blue gill/sunfish and killifish (look kind of like minnows). NPS/Nortrup. They have long, scaleless bodies, low-set eyes, a forked tail, and four pairs of black barbels around the mouth. They also have 7 8 spines on their dorsal fins, which distinguishes them from white crappies, who have 5 6 spines. There are two fishing piers from which you can target Catfish, Bass, and lots more. These fish come in three subspecies that have slightly different patterning and native ranges, but they will all have darker green or brownish backs that fade to light green sides and a whitish belly. You may choose to go fishing with some of DCs famous monuments as your backdrop or head into the wilderness for a more tranquil fishing experience. My friend appreciates the info and has helped him in planning his outing. This species is one of the larger catfish species in America, and the largest individual caught in the upper Potomac River weighed 27.92 pounds! Redbreast sunfish are opportunistic feeders and will prey on many different smaller food items including juvenile insects and larvae. document.getElementById( "ak_js_63" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Awesome and informative information! And from a water quality standpoint, eels play an even more important role as a natural taxi service of sorts. Is it safe to eat from the Chesapeake Bay? The Potomac River (/ p t o m k / ()) is a major river in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States that flows from the Potomac Highlands in West Virginia to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.It is 405 miles (652 km) long, with a drainage area of 14,700 square miles (38,000 km 2), and is the fourth-largest river along the East Coast of the United States and the 21st-largest in the . For Snakehead, you can use deep divers, surface frog lures, and buzz-bait. These fish are active during the day and will feed on insects, larvae, mollusks, snails, crustaceans, leeches, small fish, and detritus. Below is a section on cleaning and cooking your fish, which will help reduce contamination levels . With these factors combined, muskies make for top predators that eat a number of larger fish species. Guinnessguy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. The general rule of thumb is, the further from the city, the safer the meat. "They can also be in the main-river coves and eddies with grassbeds." 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