Potomac River

River fishing Maryland · 07:37 - 18:19

Potomac River is a river in Maryland. The main target species are Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout and Smallmouth Bass.

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Prime 79% The bite right now

Top bet: Brook Trout Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow

86%

66°

Best day

Thu

76%

73°

Fri

81%

69°

Sat

85%

62°

Sun

82%

71°

Mon

84%

66°

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

Conditions right now

Weather

Clear sky

Water temp (est.)

58°F

Air temp

44°F

Wind

4 mph

Pressure

30.34 inHg → stable

Clouds

0.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-10-27 13:37

Best times today

Dawn 06:52–08:52 Dusk 17:04–19:04

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

Feeding times today

Full moon 98% lit

Major period 01:04–03:04 Major period 13:04–15:04 Minor period 17:52–19:22 Minor period 08:46–10:16

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

08:00

44°

09:00

50°

10:00

57°

11:00

60°

12:00

63°

13:00

66°

14:00

67°

15:00

68°

16:00

68°

17:00

66°

18:00

61°

19:00

57°

Likely catch now (14 species)

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

79%

Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

76%

Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

Tap for details ↗

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

75%

Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

Tap for details ↗

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

74%

Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

Tap for details ↗

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

74%

Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

Tap for details ↗

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

73%

Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

Tap for details ↗

About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, Striped Bass and Muskellunge.

For Brook Trout, the fishing tends to peak around May-Jun, Sep-Oct. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a fly for brook trout, the most likely catch right now.

Timing This is a prime window for brook trout at dawn. Fish hard now.

Lure Fly for brook trout: Small dry fly in the creek.

Colour Clear water and good light: try natural insect imitations for brook trout.

Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

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

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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.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Lake Habeeb Maryland · 13.8 mi away Sleepy Creek Lake West Virginia · 20.7 mi away Savage River Reservoir Maryland · 31.9 mi away Jennings Randolph Lake Maryland · 32.6 mi away Deep Creek Lake Maryland · 41.4 mi away Potomac River Maryland · 43.0 mi away Blackwater River West Virginia · 53.1 mi away Cheat Lake West Virginia · 71.4 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Potomac River?

The usual catches here are Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, Striped Bass, Muskellunge, Black Crappie and Walleye.

Do you need a fishing license at Potomac River?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Potomac River?

Brook Trout is generally most active around May-Jun, Sep-Oct. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Potomac River right now?

Right now Brook Trout is the most likely catch, at about 17%.