Maryland · United States

Potomac River MD fishing forecast

62 Good of 100

Potomac River MD is a freshwater fishing spot in Maryland, United States. Anglers here target Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Smallmouth Bass. The most productive months are typically January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.

Quick answer

Best monthsJanuary, February, March, April

Top speciesBlue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Common Carp

Score now62/100

Local rulesUnited States — Federal Waters

Today’s verdict

Ranks #375 of 644 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today

Trending down — 4 points below this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±7 points, from 7 live signals

Helping the score most

Waves+15.0Water temperature+12.2Wind+12.0

Pressure trend

Pressure stable — fish feeding on their usual rhythm

Next solunar peak

dusk 23:54

Current conditions

Sea surface temp	28.6 °C
Wind	8 km/h from NW, gusting 19 km/h
Pressure	1011 hPa
Cloud cover	18%
Chlorophyll	18.91 mg/m³
Salinity	0.0 PSU
Mixed-layer depth	7 m
UV index	2
Wind sea	0.0 m
Ground swell	0.0 m at 0 s

River gauge: PISCATAWAY CREEK AT PISCATAWAY, MD (6 km): 19 cfs, steady

The water here is 6.1 °C warmer than the August average of 22.5 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 20.0 m, with the thermocline below that.

Updated 1 h ago.

What the score means at Potomac River MD

Potomac River MD currently scores 62 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 28.6 °C. 7 forecast signals are active in this score.

Waves +15.0: swell energy stirring the water column
Water temperature +12.2: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Wind +12.0: surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Barometric pressure +4.4: falling pressure often triggers feeding
Pre-storm bite +2.4: the classic feed before heavy weather
Moon phase +2.0: lunar feeding rhythm

What’s biting now

The model expects today: channel-catfish, blue-catfish, common-carp, black-bullhead, silver-carp, bighead-carp, golden-trout, shortnose-gar

Bite windows

Moon

Waxing Gibbous · 82% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for Potomac River MD:

Score history at this spot

7 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-08-01, 73/100

2 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

About this spot

Water type

River · Freshwater

Rivers are flow-driven. Fish the seams, eddies, and structure where current breaks, where fish hold to conserve energy and ambush bait.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · estuary

What you can catch

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus
Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio
Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Best months by species at Potomac River MD

Blue CatfishIctalurus furcatus
Channel CatfishIctalurus punctatus
Common CarpCyprinus carpio
Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

U.S. federal fisheries authority

United States — Federal Waters

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.

FishRadar regulations are summaries only. Federal and state waters rules overlap — always verify current federal and state agency rules before fishing.