Jones Point Park: Just north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and south of Old Town. 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. Smallwood State Park is a great launching area and the traffic isnt too bad. In this column, I will focus on how to fish the Potomac River as well as whether you should eat the fish or fling them back. I hope this helps. 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. The nutritional benefits associated with eating fish have experts wondering if the health benefits outweigh the risks. Bassmaster and FLW hold their annual tournaments near Smallwood State Park in Charles County, MD. Whether you plan on joining a guide, renting a kayak, or exploring on foot, youll have a number of options to choose from. Location: Fredericksburg Virginia. Anglers typically troll or drift from a boat and cast live baits or lures from the banks. These have been exposed to fewer toxins in the water. document.getElementById( "ak_js_53" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Nice overview w/o too much detail. Potomac 336.809.6041. Our goal is to share our knowledge of these incredibly important ecosystems with the world! Striped bass have bodies that are laterally compressed with green or blue backs and silver iridescent sides. I have caught over 75 fish on a float ( many small fish) but fun none the less. One particularly unique species found in the Potomac River is the American shad. 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. 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. Fish consumption advisories help Virginia anglers make educated choices about eating the fish they catch. A fine of $200.00 for the third and subsequent offenses. Re: Potomac River Crabbing. Blue Catfish, the largest of the three, typically average between 2040 pounds, with some monsters even weighing in at 50 pounds! 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. Catfishing on the Potomac is popular in deeper parts of the river or in areas with bottom structures. Thats a great spot for Shad, however, the best runs are between March and May. They often produce a fresh feed of fish and are also great to catch bait fish. The Virginia side of the Potomac also has its fair share of excellent fishing spots, accessible by foot as well as boat. Just keep in mind, theres probably a small fee. I cant find any description of this short trail but it looks like theres a significant outcropping of rocks along the way. document.getElementById( "ak_js_21" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Great read! Oh, and did we mention you can win upwards of tens of thousands of dollars? document.getElementById( "ak_js_62" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi John, thanks for the comment and glad you liked it! Nov 16, 2013. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. What USGS site and guage height would you recommend for this location? Sep 1, 2022. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. 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. D.C. Water sues EPA over new limit on E. coli allowed in Potomac River. document.getElementById( "ak_js_10" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Andriana here for Katie. With these factors combined, muskies make for top predators that eat a number of larger fish species. Each year towards the end of summer and beginning of fall, several organizations host tournaments with the chance of having your name placed among the greats. if youre planning to fish near loudoun county dont waste your time. . Check out Algonkian Regional Park or Beaverdam Creek for starters. Actually anywhere on the Va side of the river makes for some very sorry crabbing. Just under the bridge, you can find some good spots around Middletown. A lovely waterfront community is Tantallon which offers beautiful luxury homes and . Jimmy: A male hard crab with a narrow apron on . This species is generally nocturnal, so they will hunt during the night for small fishes, crustaceans, and insects. 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_32" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What rapids? They also have 7 8 spines on their dorsal fins, which distinguishes them from white crappies, who have 5 6 spines. Here is a list of licensing agents: License Agents. document.getElementById( "ak_js_51" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Im a beginner looking for shore fishing sites near the WW bridge and advice on gear/tackle to be successful. Bluegills average around 7.5 inches in length, and weigh around half a pound as adults. More reason to target Carp then, I guess! For starters, Id check out Mason Neck State Park and Leesylvania State Park. 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. Fish Consumption Advisory DOEE urges limited consumption of Anacostia and Potomac river fish. This is also arguably the most picturesque part of DC. This species ranges from 12 18 inches in length and weighs around 1 4 pounds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_41" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thank you for the helpful reply. Let me know how it goes and what you caught. Good luck. 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. . Try Scuba . Common Carp and Sunfish in the Middle Potomac River . Theres a lot more to the nations Capital than just bureaucracy and politics. Stocked trout have been tested and are safe to eat. Virginia Statewide Freshwater Fishing License. document.getElementById( "ak_js_28" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Ive fished the upper Potomac, between Snyders Landing and Taylors Landing, for over 40 years. Bluegills are the most common types of panfish, and they are characterized by having disk-shaped bodies with an olive-green back, an orangish-yellow belly, and a black dot at the base of the dorsal fin. document.getElementById( "ak_js_54" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey Erik, thanks for reading! Summer is a great time to go fishing because of the wide variety of species you can target. Have some natural bait with you, especially if youll be going after Catfish. Let me know if you need any more info! Let me know if this helps and if you have any other questions. But, resource managers and foodies alike agree: Eating blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay is tasty and nutritiousand it is good for the ecosystem. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_39" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A friend is planning a fishing trip to the Metro D.C. area. Personally, Broad Creek and Swan Creek are my favorites. Yet nature is not easily reengineered, and some of these areas occasionally flood. You can find plenty of guides that will take you here or you can fish from the banks on your own. Any specific launches with potentially less busy than typical launching traffic (still a beginner)? Thats for Bass. The Potomac River has two branches, the North Branch and South Branch, that eventually merge into one river. pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. The Southern White Crawfish is an invasive species. Leave a comment and let our readers know if you have any advice or special tips before heading out! "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. It should be a day . Yes, you are correct, Mattawoman flows through both Charles and Prince Georges Counties. There are plenty of nice, secluded spots to choose from. Capitol Catfishing Captain Jason Kintner operates a year-round trophy catfish charter business. document.getElementById( "ak_js_38" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Im glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the comment! Fish are part of a healthy eating pattern and provide key nutrients during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and/or early childhood to support a child's brain development: Omega-3 (called DHA and EPA . Can you eat Sydney Harbour oysters? For Smallmouth, go up north and hit the Upper Potomac. The short answer is yes, northern snakehead is an excellent fish to eat. This article will cover everything you need to know about fishing on the Potomac, so you can start planning your adventure and hit the water for an epic day. The Anacostia boat ramp is a good launching spot if youre trying to catch Largemouth and Snakehead. Theyre a favorite due to their strength, versatility, and last but not least, their delicious taste! Black crappies are often found in the tidal Potomac River in areas where the water is cool, clear, and deep. . With plants come fish and birds, and pretty soon, the river environment turns into something from the Discovery Channel. I will pay as in any case with a Guide. The most popular fish species you can target are Striped Bass, Bluefish, and White Perch. For your own safety, please do not eat these fish from the Potomac, Bradley Beal hits season high as Wizards fight to the finish in Atlanta, In his spring training debut, Patrick Corbin finds reasons to believe. What about bull head and spoonbill catfish. A consumption advisory is a recommendation to limit or avoid eating certain species of fish caught from specific water bodies due to environmental factors. Yes and not really. These 9 restaurants on the river are the perfect place to enjoy a nice meal with a beautiful view. document.getElementById( "ak_js_31" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi Anita, Thanks for reading! The advisory also suggests eating certain fish caught in city waters sunfish, blue catfish, northern snakehead, white . These silver and green colored fish can grow up to 32 inches in length but are most commonly caught between 6-10 inches. White Perch: You may have caught these fish. I hope this is helpful and let me know if you have any follow up questions. document.getElementById( "ak_js_40" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey Al, thanks for reading! document.getElementById( "ak_js_16" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Luckily, youve come to the right place! Kayaks are especially advantageous for fishing in shallow waters. These fish have very little mouths, so they will only eat smaller prey such as zooplankton, insects, worms, and snails. I just cut away some of the fat. The section of the Shenandoah which will be discussed is the 35 miles of river that lies within the state of Virginia. Fish Consumption Advisory. How healthy is the Potomac River? Ka-ching! Catfishing is best in the winter. Fishers can also continue to practise catch and release. I live in Alexandria, but Im willing to travel. Pond Informer is growing community of pond & lake professionals, ecologists, and scientific writers, with a passion for all things ponds, wetlands, and sustainable conservation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_12" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for reaching out, Im glad you liked it! American eel, carp and striped bass which includes rockfish caught in these waters have tested positive forelevated levels of toxic chemicals, according to an advisory this week from the D.C.Department of Energy and Environment. Primarily bass unless you head inland towards the Shenandoah? 2. Thats the beauty of fishing such a vast river with loads of access points on both sides. Blue Catfish are slate blue with white bellies. Let me know if this helps! 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. Once the chum is scooped overboard, anglers free-line a piece of bait that . Fish consumption advisories have been in place on the South River and South Fork Shenandoah River since the mid-1970s. 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. Green sunfish can be found in the lower Potomac River where water is slower, but they are adaptable to many different water conditions. Places like Riverbend Park in Great Falls are great for children and beginners looking to pick up on some of the basics. member of Waterkeepers Alliance I live in the DC area and I am looking for someone who either guides or knows the Potomac River out side DC (Fletchers Boat House) to go out with. Just depends on what you prefer! No matter which part of the Potomac you plan on visiting, youll find plenty of spots where you can post up and enjoy a productive day of fishing. Im pretty sure they both have boat ramps from which you can launch your kayak. The MLK, FDR, and TJ memorials make a great background shot for Instagram as you reel in a prize-winning fish! Let me know if you need any more information or suggestions regarding bait and tackle. The freshwater record is 27.92 pounds and was caught in the upper Potomac River. For Snakehead, you can use deep divers, surface frog lures, and buzz-bait. Looking for bass and snakehead, any tips for areas around the base and any suggested lures? Congrats on the new boat, thats exciting! Largemouth and Smallmouth occupy different areas of the river DC serving as the boundary that separates the two regions. Is Anacostia Park Boat Ramp a good choice? Striped bass are a popular sport fish along the Atlantic Coast, which has led to a population decline in many areas including Virginia and Maryland. Drop a comment and let us know what you caught after your trip! They voraciously eat fish, crabs and . These fish have yellow or green eyes and orange-red tinted fins. My top choice is the Strike King 8XD. Youve probably noticed more and more yakkers on the river during the spring and summer. 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. I live in Dover de. White catfish can be found in the lower Potomac River in areas where the water is slow and the bottoms are muddy. Recommended maximum consumption levels of sunfish and largemouth bass, for instance, have more than doubled since the first advisory in 1994. Im glad you enjoyed the article. . I believe fishing is something that teaches. 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. Maryland state tidal water record is 29 pounds 10 oz. Can you eat fish from NYC waters? document.getElementById( "ak_js_48" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey Kevin, thanks for your comment! . Fall is also a good time to target Striped Bass, especially in the Lower Potomac region. 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. The latter isnt right in the city, though. 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. Throughout the Atlantic Coast, shad numbers have seen a decline due to pollution, deforestation, and the creation of dams. The lake is filled with Largemouth Bass and great for beginners. Of course, you can also use the time [], Santee Cooper Fishing: The Complete Guide, Fishing in Lake Hartwell: The Complete Guide, Fishing in Calaveras Lake: The Complete Guide. The river and surrounding areas were also home to many battles during the American Civil War. You can fish the Potomac year-round, however, some months are better than others when targeting specific types of species. Anita. Useful information in the guide enumerates the different species of fish that can be found in the Potomac River and its tributaries, the recommended meals as advised by health authorities, affected localities, and the contaminants present in fish. New to the area, been fishing out of Fort Foote park lately. Bait, tackle, and fuel are usually included in the price, making it even easier to plan your trip and focus on the fun stuff. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on September 1, 2022 document.getElementById( "ak_js_34" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi Lance, Mattawoman is in Charles county. Below is a section on cleaning and cooking your fish, which will help reduce contamination levels . Largemouth is less choosy and will also go after small live baits, such as minnows, night crawlers, and crawfish. On the MD side, youll find great spots around where the Port Tobacco River flows into the Potomac. I hope things turn around and you start catchin some monsters soon. They inhabit vast portions of the river and have thrived here for over a century. I live in Fredericksburg, and I crab the Potomac, mostly. In the Potomac River, 18% of its waters ranked in the most-polluted group. Burke Lake Park: Burke is located about 23 miles southwest. The towns of Potomac, MD and Leesburg, VA are also great options if you plan on launching from the Upper Potomac. PRKNs EIN # is 54-1982624. DOEE urges limited consumption of Anacostia and Potomac river fish. They were introduced to several rivers on Virginia's Western Shore decades ago. These fish are very dependent on clean, healthy, oxygen-rich waters, so unfortunately, smallmouth bass populations have been at an all-time low in the Potomac River due to the continued pollution issues. With bottom structures and silver iridescent sides very little mouths, so they will only eat prey! That are laterally compressed with green or blue backs and silver iridescent sides around 1 4 pounds and white.! As adults the MD side, youll find great spots around Middletown Leesburg, Va are also great options you! Capital than just bureaucracy and politics you recommend for this location banks on own... 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Near smallwood State Park in great Falls are great for beginners monsters even in! ( still a beginner ) species ranges from 12 18 inches in length weighs... Head inland towards the Shenandoah information or suggestions regarding bait and tackle boundary that separates the two regions has! How it goes and what you caught largemouth bass and great for children and beginners looking to up! Their delicious taste and birds, and buzz-bait need any more information or suggestions regarding bait and tackle the of! Areas occasionally flood vast river with loads of access points on both sides you correct.