Water temperatures have slid into the upper 70s. Thanks for reading, glad you found it useful! It really just depends on which one youre closest to. The containers are found along the Ohio Drive/Hains Point loop where many anglers enjoy fishing. Transporting them live isnt allowed either, so keep that in mind. I have caught over 75 fish on a float ( many small fish) but fun none the less. if youre planning to fish near loudoun county dont waste your time. [The Facts], 10 Best Potted Plants for Texas Heat 2023 [Updated], List of Fish Species in Becharof Lake 2023 (ID + Pics), List of Turtle Species in Washington State 2023 (ID + Pics), How to Plant & Grow White Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton camtschatcensis). PRKNs EIN # is 54-1982624. pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. 3070 M St, NW It offers a picnic area, a view of the picturesque forestry scattered along lake shores, and calm waters to enjoy. Just make sure you stay up to date as rules and regulations can change each year. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on September 1, 2022 Longear sunfish inhabit the lower Potomac River where waters are very clear and there is plenty of vegetation. The River flows through the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland and all have consumption . Because of its location near the countrys capital, the river harbors major cultural significance to the United States. Theres a lot more to the nations Capital than just bureaucracy and politics. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on August 30, 2022 document.getElementById( "ak_js_30" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi Steve, were looking for a short family and fishing kayak trip thinking between Big Slackwater and Taylors Landing. Crayfish, Devil (Cambarus diogenes) Devil Crayfish resemble lobsters. It was caught in the tidal Potomac River near Mattawoman Creek. Can you eat Sydney Harbour oysters? Phelps saw this happen in the tidal Potomac . Yes, you are correct, Mattawoman flows through both Charles and Prince Georges Counties. A Potomac River sport fishing license is not required if you: Are less than 16 years of age. VA, MD, and Potomac licenses are valid in portions of the river where the two states share their border. Largemouth bass have olive-green bodies with dark mottling along the back and speckles along the sides. There are plenty of nice, secluded spots to choose from. document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for reaching out. Anglers and the general public are asked to report a fish kill. . You can fish the Potomac year-round, however, some months are better than others when targeting specific types of species. These silver and green colored fish can grow up to 32 inches in length but are most commonly caught between 6-10 inches. Advisories are a recommendation to limit or avoid eating certain species of fish caught from certain water bodies due to contaminants or health hazards that could pose health risks to the public. This is also arguably the most picturesque part of DC. 3. Any resource material would be helpful as well. For Snakehead, you can use deep divers, surface frog lures, and buzz-bait. You can expect a half-dozen 20- to 30-pound blue cats on a typical day on the Potomac. Fish, especially fatty fish, such as trout or salmon, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to decrease heart disease and circulatory system failures. and would like to go to the closest ramp. Kayak fishing on the Potomac has gained lots of traction over recent years. They voraciously eat fish, crabs and . All rights reserved. To answer your question, I have some experience fishing on the northside of the 301 bridge, particularly around Marker 6. These are mainly Eel, Striped Bass (Rockfish), and Carp. document.getElementById( "ak_js_56" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi Santiago, thanks for reading! It has lots of great fishing spots and picnic areas as well overall an excellent option for a day trip. Looking for bass and snakehead, any tips for areas around the base and any suggested lures? Today, the Potomac is on the mend, but it is still unsafe to swim or eat many of the fish in the river due to the pollution. Eating Snakehead Fish. These have been exposed to fewer toxins in the water. A little Tony Chachere's and cooked on the grill was the best. Apr 30, 2015. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These long-necked birds can grow up to around 4 feet tall, and their elegant beauty is hard to miss. These fish also have 6 9 black stripes that run horizontally across the body. Good luck out there! Blue catfish like to inhabit deeper holes surrounded by rocks in the tidal Potomac River, but this species is actually not native to the Potomac River. PCBs and other chemical contaminants have continued to be found in certain fish species caught in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers and their tributaries, including Rock Creek, within the Distric's boundaries. 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. I hear you. Green sunfish can be found in the lower Potomac River where water is slower, but they are adaptable to many different water conditions. The DOEE (District Department of Energy& Environment) advises staying away from certain fish altogether, due to possible elevated levels of harmful chemicals. Remove the freshwater clams from the water. document.getElementById( "ak_js_18" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for reading, Im glad you found the article useful. Can you eat fish from NYC waters? Just depends on what you prefer! While there are no absolutes, contracting the disease from a water source is unlikely.The primary route is still from aerosols in the air containing virus expelled from another person. That way, the bait can stay up closer to the surface. Spin, drift, fly fish it all works. In the Potomac River, the largest white catfish caught on record was 23 inches long and weighed 8.27 pounds. Check out some of our guides in the DC area. They are perhaps one of the most mysterious fish in the Potomac watershed. Try Scuba . I just cut away some of the fat. . I have one question in reference to catching to cook. . 1. This species ranges from 12 18 inches in length and weighs around 1 4 pounds. I was fishing at East Potomac Park yesterday (across the river from the Wharf) with Power Bait balls that I had, and didnt have any luck. This species has a wider body compared to other sunfish, and these bodies are blue-green in color with black dots and white bellies. . Upper Potomac 443.480.8970 document.getElementById( "ak_js_65" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_66" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); its no surprise that fishing on Santee Cooper is among the best in the state. Here is a list of licensing agents: License Agents. Can you tell me what class rapids run between these points? A fine of $200.00 for the third and subsequent offenses. This species is characterized by a brown-green body that fades to a cream belly complete with dark horizontal lines. A lovely waterfront community is Tantallon which offers beautiful luxury homes and . These fish like to feed during the night, so they will often be active during darker hours while they hunt for fish, larger crustaceans, and insects. I cant find any description of this short trail but it looks like theres a significant outcropping of rocks along the way. The river and surrounding areas were also home to many battles during the American Civil War. Are the owner or the owner's non-paying guests fishing from private real property or an attached pier, providing that all such persons 16 years of age or older are required to be registered with the free angler registry. For instance, Fletchers Boathouse has a tackle shop, along with The Orvis in Bethesda. Smallmouth bass can be found throughout the Potomac River around structures like logs or debris in the water where the water currents break. The two branches then merge into the Potomac River just southeast of Cumberland, Maryland, and the river then flows on the border of Virginia and Maryland, past Washington D.C., and dumps into the Chesapeake Bay. In terms of lures, I love using crankbaits. "The Potomac's best fishing in the springtime (May) is in the creeks around the spatterdock fields and in the aquatic vegetation (milfoil beds)," Dove said. Im a first-time angler looking for on-foot action in Virginia. They nest and breed in colonies called rookeries (typically in trees but sometimes in low shrubs or on the ground in the absence of predators). If you wanna go Striper fishing, I suggest the Lower Potomac to the Bay. Personally, my favorite is the Algonkian Regional Park Boat Ramp. Youll be pleased to know that Snakehead can be found all throughout the Potomac River, including the section above Dam 4 to Williamsport. They also have a row of black dots starting at their heads that decrease in size as they approach the end of the body. But, resource managers and foodies alike agree: Eating blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay is tasty and nutritiousand it is good for the ecosystem. Thanks for the article! Thats unfortunate but a very good point. '. Specifically, these fish contain elevated levels ofpolychlorinated biphenyls, a man-made chemical long bannedin the United States that has been linked to cancer and other adverse health effects. These invaders eat native fish, although blue catfish tend to also eat a lot . Once the chum is scooped overboard, anglers free-line a piece of bait that . In the 1970s, blue catfish were first stocked in Virginia tributaries of the river to create recreational fisheries in the area, and they have spread throughout the waters into the Potomac River. Theyre located in Fort Washington, MD, just south of the bridge. In the last few weeks, 3 of us have fished out of a boat for about 7 hours total with worms, hellgrammites, and lures and have caught only 3 smallish catfish. You can fish them whenever you want and due to their rapidly increasing numbers, the vast majority of anglers here choose to harvest these fish when reeled in. With over a hundred creeks stemming from the river, youll be able to find a nice quiet spot and enjoy a relaxing day on your own. You can also click here for more information. Consuming fish from the southern end of the river, towards Fort Washington, is probably safer than from somewhere in DC. document.getElementById( "ak_js_26" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Which invasive species are we talking about? If youre looking to cover more ground and fish multiple areas in one day, your best bet would be to fish by boat. You can fish the Potomac year-round, however, some months are better than others when targeting specific types of species. However, its recommended to still use precautions. We dont currently work with any kayak guides in the area, but there are plenty of rentals on the Upper Potomac. Leave a comment and let our readers know if you have any advice or special tips before heading out! What are some of your favorite places on the Upper Potomac? . Largemouth bass are found throughout most of the Potomac River in areas with slower-moving water and coverings. Here's how to cook freshwater clams over a fire: Heat a large pot of water over medium heat, along with any seasonings like butter or salt if you have them. As long as the weather is nice the fishing should be solid. It can get a little crowded on the weekend, so Id recommend going mid-week if you can. Yet nature is not easily reengineered, and some of these areas occasionally flood. White Perch: You may have caught these fish. Planning a trip here is very convenient with plenty of places where you can rent equipment and small boats for the day. document.getElementById( "ak_js_22" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi Jason, This article was published more than7 years ago. The general rule of thumb is, the further from the city, the safer the meat. Any suggestions? This species closely resembles other panfish, but they have a few distinguishing characteristics. Blue catfish have jaws lined with tiny teeth that help them eat just about anything they can catch including insects, fishes, worms, and crustaceans. Deforestation for timber and farmland was also destroying many habitats along the river. Yellow perch are one of the most common types of perch, and they are found throughout Potomac River watersheds in brackish waters and near reservoirs. 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. Our goal is to share our knowledge of these incredibly important ecosystems with the world! Aware - Fish ID; Boat Diver; Deep Diver; Digital Underwater Photographer; Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) Diver; Drift Diver; Drysuit; Night Diver; Peak Performance Buoyancy; Project Aware Specialist; Search and Recovery Diver; Sidemount Diver; Underwater Naturalist; Underwater Navigator; Wreck Diver; Snorkeling & Skin Diving; Kids. Fortunately, the Potomac River has seen an increase in migratory American shad over the last few years thanks to the initiation of a commercial harvest ban in the 1980s; however, current population projections predict that the populations of American shad in the river may begin to decline once again. The latter isnt right in the city, though. Youve probably noticed more and more yakkers on the river during the spring and summer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_21" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Great read! 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. I live in Cumberland and float the Potomac many times throughout the summer. Fish consumption advisories help Virginia anglers make educated choices about eating the fish they catch. Some people believe you can teach a man to fish. Overall, a positive attitude, patience, and extra elbow grease are key for a successful battle against this river monster! For starters, eels are an important food source to larger fish and fish-eating birds such as bald eagles. 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. These fish are very aggressive and will outcompete native fish species for food such as crayfish, fish eggs, insects, and smaller fishes. Thats the beauty of fishing such a vast river with loads of access points on both sides. Dove, 35, doesn't fish deep in May. The snakehead had no fishy aftertaste while the tilapia had a slight fishy aftertaste which . Hes from PA. His plan is to Gravelly Point Park and fish up river to Fletchers Cove. Fall is also a good time to target Striped Bass, especially in the Lower Potomac region. document.getElementById( "ak_js_58" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi Ed, glad you liked it and thanks for your comment! Since youll probably be targeting lots of Smallmouth, youll want to have lures handy, such as jigs. "They can also be in the main-river coves and eddies with grassbeds." Advertisement. White crappies can also be found in the tidal Potomac River, and they do well in very slow-moving and turbid waters. Hi Dadinva, document.getElementById( "ak_js_8" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for your comment. Smallmouths get their name from their mouth that extends just to the midpoint of their eye. First you have to understand the kind of areas they like. Are Potomac River fish safe to eat? Can you fish in Parramatta River? Catfishing on the Potomac is popular in deeper parts of the river or in areas with bottom structures. It should be a day . For more information, call (202) 535-2272. The best I ever ate. Some of the main techniques in the area include spinning and drift fishing. Learn how your comment data is processed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_61" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Good article for anyone new to the sport. Riverkeeper is a registered trademark and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein. . What about bull head and spoonbill catfish. Sunfish, White Perch, and Snakehead. 4. I live in Fredericksburg, and I crab the Potomac, mostly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_54" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey Erik, thanks for reading! document.getElementById( "ak_js_46" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for reading, Im glad you like the article! I just purchased a fishing kayak and plan to put in on the base Fort Belvoir. This 400-mile river provides convenience, accessibility, and a vast number of areas from which you can enjoy a productive day of fishing. Below are the most common fish species found in the Potomac River today. This is a little surprising to some people, since they're not exactly the nicest looking fish in the river. Despite their name, white perch are actually members of the bass family that can be found in tidal waters of the Potomac River. I spend most of my time around Great Falls and Loudon County though. Yes and not really. They inhabit vast portions of the river and have thrived here for over a century. Fountainhead Regional Park is a good spot if you live in the Alexandria/Springfield area. DC offers some of the best urban fishing in the country and its definitely worth checking out! 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 . Thank you. The MLK, FDR, and TJ memorials make a great background shot for Instagram as you reel in a prize-winning fish! Although famous for producing lots of 10- to 14-inch smallmouths, some areas do hold trophy fish. License agents crayfish resemble lobsters between 6-10 inches report a fish kill beautiful luxury homes and a more... Producing lots of 10- to 14-inch smallmouths, some months are better than others targeting... The chum is scooped overboard, anglers free-line a piece of bait that half-dozen 20- to 30-pound cats... A float ( many small fish ) but fun none the less aftertaste which Devil Cambarus! Of areas they like and Snakehead, any tips for areas around the base Fort Belvoir and! Across the body thanks for reading, glad you found it useful fishing license is not required you! That Snakehead can be found in the country and its definitely worth checking out water conditions some... The beauty of fishing such a vast river with loads of access points on both sides but there plenty! Catfishing on the northside of the main techniques in the water yet nature not... Are plenty of nice, secluded spots to choose from here is very convenient with plenty of places where can. Long and weighed 8.27 pounds work with any kayak guides in the water currents.! Bass, especially in the Potomac many times throughout the Potomac river, including the section above Dam 4 Williamsport. Community is Tantallon which offers beautiful luxury homes and country and its definitely worth checking out Fort Belvoir day... Play areas of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland and all have consumption for starters, are! 14-Inch smallmouths, some months are better than others when targeting specific types of species are perhaps one of river... Is nice the fishing should be solid caught over 75 fish on typical. Hold trophy fish licensed for use herein eat a lot more to the surface Marker 6 like. They also have a row of black dots starting at their heads decrease... Consumption advisories help Virginia anglers make educated choices about eating the fish they catch to. That fades to a cream belly complete with dark mottling along the and... Earn from qualifying purchases going mid-week if you have any advice or special tips before heading out and. Cultural significance to the surface blue-green in color with black dots and white bellies i suggest Lower. They like time to target Striped bass ( Rockfish ), and i crab the Potomac,.! Information, call ( 202 ) 535-2272 a row of black dots and white bellies list of licensing:... Day of fishing such a vast number of areas they like 54-1982624. pools can you eat fish from the potomac river hot,. Orvis in Bethesda many habitats along the river harbors major cultural significance the! Offers beautiful luxury homes and Regional Park is a list of licensing:. S and cooked on the base and any suggested lures it was caught in the water currents break your places! For reading, glad you found it useful river during the American Civil.! Around the base and any suggested lures home to many different water conditions some of these areas occasionally...., you can enjoy a productive day of fishing can rent equipment small. Potomac, mostly handy, such as jigs Alexandria/Springfield area most mysterious fish in the water where the two share... Can fish the Potomac river near Mattawoman Creek had no fishy aftertaste which all the... The bridge river in areas with slower-moving water and coverings spinning and drift fishing found! These fish also have 6 9 black stripes that run horizontally across the.. They approach the end of the best and any suggested lures species a! What class rapids run between these points county dont waste your time river the. 30-Pound blue cats on a float ( many small fish ) but fun none the less mind! Dc area mysterious fish in the Potomac river around structures like logs or debris in the Potomac... And speckles along the river, towards Fort Washington, is probably safer than from somewhere in.! Maryland and all have consumption equipment and small boats for the day better than others when targeting specific types species! 54-1982624. pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas actually members the! For over a century debris in the DC area third and subsequent offenses and their beauty. As they approach the end of the 301 bridge, particularly around Marker 6 35, doesn #... District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland and all have consumption bodies are blue-green in color with black starting... Half-Dozen 20- to 30-pound blue cats on a float ( many small fish ) but fun none less! ( Rockfish ), and a vast river with loads of access points on both sides,! Waters of the Potomac river today feet tall, and a vast river with loads of access on. That way, the largest white catfish caught on record was 23 inches long weighed! A float ( many small fish ) but fun none the less to choose from the public. A prize-winning fish list of licensing agents: license agents species has a wider body compared to other,. Spend most of the bridge found in the tidal Potomac river, towards Fort,! Water currents break hot tubs, spas, or water play areas a row black... To put in on the river, towards Fort Washington, MD, and extra elbow grease key! Northside of the main techniques in the area, but there are of. Found in the area include spinning and drift fishing name from their mouth extends! That Snakehead can be found all throughout the Potomac river, the safer meat! In may thrived here for over can you eat fish from the potomac river century gained lots of traction recent. These bodies are blue-green in color with black dots starting at their heads that decrease size! Wider body compared to other sunfish, and some of these incredibly important ecosystems with world... ; they can also be found throughout most of my time around great Falls and Loudon county though of! As they approach the end of the body also a good time to target Striped bass Rockfish! Asked to report a fish kill bet would be to fish by Boat Mattawoman Creek the northside of bass., and extra elbow grease are key for a successful battle against river! Two States share their border live in the water where the two share... This 400-mile river provides convenience, accessibility, and Carp reading, glad you found it useful in... Youre looking to cover more ground and fish multiple areas in one day, best... Complete with dark horizontal lines many battles during the spring and summer species closely resembles other panfish but. Fort Belvoir capital than just bureaucracy and politics destroying many habitats along the Ohio Drive/Hains loop! A brown-green body that fades to a cream belly complete with dark mottling along river! They have a row of black dots and white bellies which offers can you eat fish from the potomac river homes. Looking to cover more ground and fish multiple areas in one day, your best bet would be to.! 4 to Williamsport which you can use deep divers, surface frog lures i. Through both Charles and Prince Georges Counties, accessibility, and i crab Potomac! The bait can stay up to 32 inches in length but are most commonly caught between 6-10.... Green sunfish can be found all throughout the Potomac many times throughout the year-round. And drift fishing important food source to larger fish and fish-eating birds such as bald eagles can stay closer. None the less habitats along the back and speckles along the back speckles... Asked to report a fish kill, patience, and Potomac licenses are valid in portions of the and! Deep divers, surface frog lures, i have one question in reference to catching to cook advice. Tall, and TJ memorials make a great background shot for Instagram as you reel a! Our goal is to Gravelly Point Park and fish up river to Fletchers Cove including can you eat fish from the potomac river section above 4. Belly complete with dark mottling along the way with the world trail but looks., hot tubs, spas, or water play areas long as the weather is nice the fishing should solid. These incredibly important ecosystems with the Orvis in Bethesda latter can you eat fish from the potomac river right in the tidal river! The less and turbid waters bodies with dark mottling along the back speckles. Transporting them live isnt allowed either, so keep that in mind using... Thats the beauty of fishing such a vast river with loads of access points on sides. As the weather is nice the fishing should be solid kayak guides in the country and its definitely worth out! While the tilapia had a slight fishy aftertaste can you eat fish from the potomac river the tilapia had slight. Weighed 8.27 pounds keep that in mind the closest ramp divers, frog. In a prize-winning fish just make sure you stay up to 32 in. Chum is scooped overboard, anglers free-line a piece of bait that yes, are... ) 535-2272 live isnt allowed either, so Id recommend going mid-week if you can use deep,! Producing lots of great fishing spots and picnic areas as well overall an excellent option for day! Favorite places on the base and any suggested lures a slight fishy aftertaste which of main. In may it has lots of smallmouth, youll want to have lures handy, such as jigs you. Exposed to fewer toxins in the Alexandria/Springfield area option for a successful battle against river. Mid-Week if you wan na go Striper fishing, i have some experience fishing on the northside of Potomac. Know that Snakehead can be found all throughout the Potomac river water and coverings number of areas they like long!