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POTOMAC RIVER

Fishing • Weather • Hydrology

The Potomac River in Maryland offers excellent fishing opportunities for species such as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, and shad. Popular nearby activities include hiking, biking, and camping. Fishing tips include using soft plastic baits for bass and cut bait for catfish. The best time to visit is in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild, averaging around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer can be hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Winter can also be productive for fishing, but temperatures can drop below freezing.

Featured Fish - American Shad

The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: This is a silvery fish with a single dorsal fin in the middle of the back. There is a large black spot directly behind the top of the gill cover, followed by 4-27 spots, which are generally smaller than the first. Sometimes there may be a second row of spots below the first, and more rarely, a third row below the second.They closely resemble the hickory shad. The most important physical distinction is in the lower jaw. In the American shad this jaw fits easily into a deep notch under the upper jaw, whereas, in hickory shad the lower jaw protrudes noticeably beyond the upper jaw. Also, the American shad grows considerably larger. Both occur up and down the coasts, but the American shad is predominantly in southern climates.

October 25, 2024

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Fish Species
  • Image Alt Largemouth Bass


  • Image Alt Smallmouth Bass


  • Image Alt Bluegill


  • Image Alt Common Carp


  • Image Alt Channel Catfish


  • Image Alt Black Crappie


  • Image Alt Tiger Muskellunge


  • Image Alt White Perch


  • Image Alt Yellow Perch


  • Image Alt Chain Pickerel


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Regional Streamflow

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Cubic Feet Per Second
S F QUANTICO CREEK ...

4

Cubic Feet Per Second
ST LEONARD CREEK NEAR ...

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ZEKIAH SWAMP RUN NEAR ...

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HUNTING CREEK NEAR HUNTINGTOWN

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