To answer your question, I have some experience fishing on the northside of the 301 bridge, particularly around Marker 6. Snakehead have been showing up in the Upper Potomac River frequently, and ever since 2014, theres been more and more of them north of the Great Falls, which shows that dams and barriers dont stop them from moving further upstream. I fillet and get about 10 freezer bags worth. The Nations River is home to a wide variety of fish, making it an excellent place for anglers to try out a few different techniques and target multiple species all in one day. If you dont want to deal with cold hands and wet nets, my suggestion is to check out one of the bait and tackle shops. The upper Potomac River continues to fish well. document.getElementById( "ak_js_41" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thank you for the helpful reply. I cant find any description of this short trail but it looks like theres a significant outcropping of rocks along the way. Flathead catfish primarily occupy some areas of the Potomac River and lower Susquehanna River (above and below the Conowingo Dam). In terms of lures, I love using crankbaits. 2. The Potomac River has long been a vital part of the DMV areas economy, recreation, and way of life. Jimmy: A male hard crab with a narrow apron on . Apr 30, 2015. The freshwater clams are now ready to eat. The short answer is yes, northern snakehead is an excellent fish to eat. Walleye get their name from their big, glassy pupils, and their eyes look like this due to a reflective layer on the inner eye called the tapetum lucidum, which helps walleye see prey in times of low visibility. Lots of quiet, secluded, and relaxing places to cast from. document.getElementById( "ak_js_61" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Good article for anyone new to the sport. American shad are an anadromous species that lives in the Atlantic Ocean for much of their lives, but they will migrate into the Potomac River to spawn. I live in Cumberland and float the Potomac many times throughout the summer. The freshwater record is 27.92 pounds and was caught in the upper Potomac River. We got some great fly fishing spots all throughout the region. They keep that place stocked because of tournaments. For Smallmouth, go up north and hit the Upper Potomac. Anglers and the general public are asked to report a fish kill. Whether youre looking to go fly fishing, bow hunting, or spend several relaxing hours on the water, youll be able to find the guide thats right for you. Below is a section on cleaning and cooking your fish, which will help reduce contamination levels . . If you have suggestions somewhere near Annapolis, I'll take it. They can grow up to 50 inches in length. Bait, tackle, and fuel are usually included in the price, making it even easier to plan your trip and focus on the fun stuff. Over the last half-century, theyve become a symbolic fish of the Potomac and one of the top-targeted species in the region. This article was published more than7 years ago. document.getElementById( "ak_js_62" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi John, thanks for the comment and glad you liked it! Spring is excellent for fishing on the Potomac River because the weather is just right. Youll have a chance to put your skills to the test and compete against some of the most elite Bass fishermen in the country. Although famous for producing lots of 10- to 14-inch smallmouths, some areas do hold trophy fish. Anglers typically troll or drift from a boat and cast live baits or lures from the banks. However, anglers are not required to kill snakeheads, so long as they are immediately released back into the body of water from which they came. Youre completely right, honest mistake on our part! Seasoned anglers will usually use light tackle, however, dont be ashamed if you have to switch to slightly heavier equipment. Have you ever been fishing on the Potomac River? Was asking about the Potomac mainly because I can be down on the river in 30 minutes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_57" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is a great article, but is lacking any information on the upper Potomac. In the past few years grass carp have eaten all the grass and now bass populations are down by 90%. document.getElementById( "ak_js_52" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi Keith, thanks for reading! What makes the Potomac River so special? 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 . The vertical fins are darkly edged in clear water but may appear only dusky in turbid water. They can be brown, brown-red, green, and blue and they have red-tipped claws. Water temperatures have slid into the upper 70s. First you have to understand the kind of areas they like. Heres a link with a list of some great boat ramps: http://www.riverexplorer.com/boat_ramp_map.php4. Almost half of all game fish in the Chesapeake Bay's freshwater lakes, rivers and streams may be unsafe to eat, because of high levels of mercury, according to a recent study by the United States Geological Survey. Redbreast sunfish are opportunistic feeders and will prey on many different smaller food items including juvenile insects and larvae. Any resource material would be helpful as well. . Advisories are a recommendation to limit or avoid eating certain . I spend most of my time around Great Falls and Loudon County though. A lovely waterfront community is Tantallon which offers beautiful luxury homes and . Since youll probably be targeting lots of Smallmouth, youll want to have lures handy, such as jigs. Try Scuba . document.getElementById( "ak_js_11" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (dc metro angler yt) marko great post mind if i use this for my video. Crankbaits and spinners are also effective, as well as surface lures for shallower waters. My friend appreciates the info and has helped him in planning his outing. The advisory also suggests eating certain fish caught in city waters sunfish, blue catfish, northern snakehead, white . The study by Virginia Tech biologists estimated that the fish could be eating 1.12 million pounds of the crustaceans a year in the three rivers systems it examined the James, York and Rapahannock. . There are lots of reasons why you should prioritize a visit. 2023 FishingBooker.com. Known as the Nations River, the Potomac River is the fourth largest river on the East Coast of the United States, which spans about 405 miles long. The last thing you want is to be slapped with a fine for not having a license or targeting something that isnt in season. The towns of Potomac, MD and Leesburg, VA are also great options if you plan on launching from the Upper Potomac. As we mentioned earlier, the Potomac provides anglers the opportunity to connect with nature while staying close to the city. Someone should write a book about the Potomac and even then its hard to imagine they could cover everything. Fountain Head Regional Park: Located about 23 miles south of Alexandria. Mostly white cats around 16 inches. If boat fishing on the Potomac further south, what weight line do you suggest in general? Keep in mind, some species can only be targeted seasonally, like Striped Bass and Crab. Let me know if you need any more info! Fishers can also continue to practise catch and release. Theyre a favorite due to their strength, versatility, and last but not least, their delicious taste! No more than two meals - pound each or the size . This species has a disc-shaped body that is speckled with olive green, blue, orange, and yellow, and they have orange and blue waves running across their faces. Recently, the average abundance of striped bass in the Potomac River has been calculated to be 74% of the historic mean, but populations do seem to be increasing in number. They eat fish, mussels, and frogs. Other towns in Fairfax County where you can fish the Potomac include Mount Vernon, Fort Hunt, and Pohick. You can fish the Potomac year-round, however, some months are better than others when targeting specific types of species. Hes from PA. His plan is to Gravelly Point Park and fish up river to Fletchers Cove. 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. While most Virginia waters do not have dangerous levels of contaminants, some fish in certain waters are found to contain contaminants at levels of concern.. A fish consumption advisory is not a prohibition of eating fish, but a warning about the contaminants present in a fish species. DOEE urges limited consumption of Anacostia and Potomac river fish. All you need is the proper preparation and understanding of the animal as a food source. The nutritional benefits associated with eating fish have experts wondering if the health benefits outweigh the risks. The guide collects fish consumption advisories from the states of Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia that focus on fish caught in the Potomac River and its tributaries. You make a good point, the Upper Potomac has tons of great spots. Perhaps the most iconic of them all is Striped Bass, locally referred to as Rockfish. Any person who violates fishing license rules and regulations shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined: A fine of $100.00 for the first offense. document.getElementById( "ak_js_19" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for the information, I am a beginner and have been researching our area (Loudoun) to take my kids. Do you ever fish Mattawoman? I am moving out to Springfield, VA this month coming from Colorado. In the Potomac River, the largest white catfish caught on record was 23 inches long and weighed 8.27 pounds. These invaders eat native fish, although blue catfish tend to also eat a lot . Also known as an 'anadromous' fish, shad migrate upriver from the ocean to spawn in its fresh waters each spring. Some fish caught in New York City waters may be harmful to eat." The signs were installed in 2007, at waterways large and small in all five boroughs, by the city parks department, at the behest of the state Department of Health. For starters, eels are an important food source to larger fish and fish-eating birds such as bald eagles. Again, thanks and blessings for all you do! "They can also be in the main-river coves and eddies with grassbeds." Advertisement. If you see 50 or more dead fish floating on the surface of the water, please contact the DC Fisheries and Wildlife Division at (202) 535-2260 with the following information: exact location of the floating fish, date, time, and the extent of the fish kill. 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