No, we’re not talking about when politicians go fishing after work – we’re talking about the mega-mighty blue catfish. This segment of the Potomac has some of the best fishing on the face of the planet for bottom feeders. Photo courtesy of Eric Packard Washington, DC Unlike many Bay tribs, the Potomac still maintains a strong shad run. Do your best to be here on a Wednesday, and you won’t regret it. Hot Tip: This place is an utter madhouse on a nice weekend day. Hot Season: These fish usually arrive in late March or early April (weather-dependent), peak in mid- to late-April, and may be caught through May. Hot Bait: Shad darts, tiny spoons, and tubes of various colors. Though this is an all-release fishery the amazing jumps of the “poor man’s tarpon” attract hordes of anglers to this spot every year. It’s also a prime spot to visit for the shad run. This is the area where the Potomac seems to magically morph from a freshwater river into a tidal tributary. Walleye tend to bite best in low-light conditions. Hot Tip: Fish early, fish late, and fish on cloudy days. Hot Season: This is a year-round fishery, with the best fishing often in the cooler months of the year. Hot Bait: Four-inch twister tails in chartreuse or white in clear water, root-beer and earth-tones when the water’s discolored three- to four-inch crankbaits. These fish are now keeper-sized, and the 2018 electro-fishing catch rate of 17.3 adult fish per hour was well above the 10-year average of 14.1. Supplemental stocking began in the river in 2012, and as a result surveys have shown a steady improvement in the walleye population. The Harpers Ferry vicinity up to Dam 5 west of Hagerstown supports the largest walleye population on the Potomac, and one of the best walleye fishing opportunities in the region. These 10 Potomac River fishing hotspots should enter into every angler's calculations. No matter where you may live one thing is for sure: it’s an excellent fishing destination for a wide range of species, habitats, and hotspots. Whether you live in Maryland or Virginia, you've probably noticed that fishing in the Potomac River comes up in our fishing reports all the time. It feels like a "home" river to many of us, and since it winds through Washington, DC you might even call it the nation’s river.
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