Potomac River

Best day to fish

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-08-01 17:00

Best times today

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Next hours

Likely catch now (14 species)

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

62% 35% of likely catch

Active through the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees.

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Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

45% 14% of likely catch

Water near its preferred 26 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

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Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

45% 13% of likely catch

Water near its preferred 26 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

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Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

41% 11% of likely catch

Overcast lifts the bite.

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Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

33% 6% of likely catch

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.

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Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

32% 6% of likely catch

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.

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Tips right now

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

About this water

The Potomac River is in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and 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 km2), and is the fourth-largest river along the East Coast of the United States. More than 6 million people live within its watershed.

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Map

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