Potomac River

River fishing Maryland · 05:43 - 20:37

Potomac River is a river in Maryland. Flowing water with species ranked by weather, temperature and season, see below.

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Conditions right now

Weather

Clear sky

Water temp (est.)

71°F

Air temp

64°F

Wind

6 mph

Pressure

29.8 inHg → stable

Clouds

6.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-06-17 13:32

Best times today

Dusk 19:22–21:22 Night 21:22–04:58

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

Next hours

07:00

64°

08:00

67°

09:00

71°

10:00

75°

11:00

80°

12:00

83°

13:00

84°

14:00

86°

15:00

85°

16:00

87°

17:00

88°

18:00

88°

Likely catch now (14 species)

Flathead Catfish

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

19%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season.

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Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

18%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.

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Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

18%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Walleye

Walleye

Sander vitreus

10%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

5%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Muskellunge

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

5%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

5%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Brook Trout

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

4%

Slow during the night, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Black Crappie

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

3%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

3%

Slow during the night, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

3%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Bluegill

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

3%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, peak season.

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Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

2%

Slow during the night, bright sky slows things.

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White Bass

White Bass

Morone chrysops

2%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 22 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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About the fishing here

Potomac River is a river in Maryland.

Popular catches here include Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass and Muskellunge.

Flathead Catfish fishing is usually best around Jun-Aug. The best windows are usually dusk and night.

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.

Tips right now

Technique Start with a deadbait for flathead catfish, the most likely catch right now.

Timing This is a prime window for flathead catfish at night. Fish hard now.

Lure Deadbait for flathead catfish: Live or whole baitfish.

Colour Clear water and good light: try live bait, colour secondary for flathead catfish.

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 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

Dalecarlia Reservoir Maryland · 4.6 mi away Lake Artemesia Maryland · 14.4 mi away Greenbelt Lake Maryland · 16.4 mi away Little Patuxent River Maryland · 23.5 mi away Lake Elkhorn Maryland · 23.8 mi away Little Patuxent River Maryland · 25.2 mi away Little Patuxent River Maryland · 26.6 mi away Druid Lake Maryland · 38.2 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Potomac River?

Popular catches here include Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass and Brook Trout.

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?

Flathead Catfish fishing is usually best around Jun-Aug. The best windows are usually dusk and night.

What is biting at Potomac River right now?

Right now Flathead Catfish is the most likely catch, at about 19%.