Potomac River

6 Fishing Charters

Potomac River Fishing Charters

Search top fishing charters in Potomac River

Top Potomac River Destinations

Top Fishing Charters in Potomac River

Osprey Fishing Charters

Osprey Fishing Charters

Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 26 reviews
Sterling  • 14 ft  • 2 persons
14 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $175
Thomason Tradition Sport Fishing

Thomason Tradition Sport Fishing

Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 28 reviews
Solomons  • 22 ft  • 4 persons
5 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $450
Potomac Joe's Fishing Service

Potomac Joe's Fishing Service

Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 2 reviews
Indian Head  • 21 ft  • 2 persons
5 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $300
Prime Time River Charters

Prime Time River Charters

Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 3 reviews
Fort Washington  • 26 ft  • 4 persons
8 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $300
Long Time Comโ€™n Sportfishing โ€“ 24'

Long Time Comโ€™n Sportfishing โ€“ 24'

Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 11 reviews
Welcome  • 24 ft  • 4 persons
1 person is looking at this charter.
trips from $450
Fire Escape Sport Fishing And Guide Service

Fire Escape Sport Fishing And Guide Service

Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 2 reviews
Leonardtown  • 26 ft  • 5 persons
3 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $350

Fishing has been a big part of the Potomac River’s economy, recreation, and way of life throughout history. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day on the river or an action-packed adventure, there’s a little bit of something in store for everyone!

A variety of species inhabit the Potomac River, including Striped Bass (locally referred to as Rockfish), Snakehead, Perch, Catfish, and Trout. You’ll also find fisheries that hold solid numbers of Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Walleye, Muskellunge, Pike, and Freshwater Eel.

There are plenty of Potomac River fishing guides that provide a wide variety of packages, designed to meet your specific needs. Shorter trips are perfect for beginners, while longer trips are great for those looking to cover more ground and target a wider variety of fish.

Some towns to check out when planning your fishing trip are Washington, DC and Alexandria, VA. These cities in the middle of the Potomac have easy access to both the upper and lower part of the river. You can also find guides on the Potomac-Chesapeake Bay Delta. Trips around Tall Timbers and Leonardtown, MD are ideal for combining river and bay fishing. These are also great spots to go crabbing – an extremely fun activity for the whole family!

Rules & Regulations

If you’re over the age of 16, you’ll need to obtain a valid fishing license, regardless of whether you’re fishing in MD, VA, or DC. Keep in mind, certain species are subject to seasonality and cannot be targeted at certain times of the year. Just be sure to check with your guide before heading out as each state has its own specific laws and regulations that you’ll have to pay attention to.

Potomac River
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent 4.55
Based on 21081 reviews by FishingBooker anglers
January

Most of the fish are sluggish this time of year but Catfishing is still solid. Target them under bridges and use a slip-sinker rig to get them out of their holes.

February

Largemouth Bass and Crappie fishing can reap some rewarding catches, especially in areas between Alexandria and Fort Washington. Catfishing is solid in many spots throughout the river as well.

March

As spring rolls around, the fishing really starts to heat up. Likely catches this month include Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, as well as Brown and Rainbow Trout.

April

As the water temperatures start to warm up, the fishing only gets better! In April you can expect to catch Snakehead, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow and Brown Trout, and Catfish.

May

May marks the beginning of Striper season. This fish is the pride and joy of the Potomac. You can target them throughout the river but head to the delta for the really big ones!

June

June is a pretty busy time in the nation’s capital, so be sure to plan your trip ahead of time. The fishing is great too. Striped Bass, Crappie, Perch, Snakehead, and Catfish are just some of the fish you can target this month.

July

Plan a trip around the Fourth of July and watch the Independence Day fireworks on the National Mall. When it comes to fishing, you can expect to catch Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Crappie, Snakehead, and Perch.

August

Head to the mouth of the river for a change of pace and target the likes of Cobia, Flounder, Redfish, and Black Drum. Plan a crabbing trip with the family for some famously delicious Maryland Blue Crab!

September

Fall is a great time for fishing on the Potomac River. In September, you’ll most likely be targeting Striped, Largemouth, and Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Perch, Snakehead, and Catfish.

October

Striped Bass and Crappie fishing remain hot throughout the fall. You can also target large numbers of Catfish and Snakehead in many spots along the river.

November

As the water temperatures cool off, so does the fishing. Lots of fish become lazy, except for Striped Bass, Catfish, and Crappie. You can also find solid numbers of Largemouth Bass near rocky or gravely banks of the river.

December

Cities and towns along the river are filled with holiday cheer! Plan your trip around Christmas time and be sure to check out the National Christmas Tree along with many other wintertime festivities.

Potomac River Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...
Fishing with Rich
Jim L. fished with Osprey Fishing Charters on April 3, 2021
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Try fishing Hickory Chad if you want an awesome experience.
Full Day trip with Rich Johnson on upper Potomac
David K. fished with Osprey Fishing Charters on September 16, 2020
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Use a guide, such as Rich Johnson who is knowledgeable of the local conditions and can get them on the fish much faster than trying to fish on their own .
Osprey Fishing Charter - awesome day on the Potomac
Steven W. fished with Osprey Fishing Charters on July 7, 2020
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Take an extra hour and walk down to Great Falls.
August fishing trip
Kenneth B. fished with Long Time Comโ€™n Sportfishing โ€“ 24' on August 22, 2017
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Make sure what you want to catch is going to be in the area when you book your charter.
July fishing trip
Josh H. fished with Long Time Comโ€™n Sportfishing โ€“ 24' on July 11, 2017
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Long time com'n fishing charters, definitely give them a call and they will put you right on the fish. Be a experience of a lifetime.
Captian Dan Great
Gene C. fished with Long Time Comโ€™n Sportfishing โ€“ 24' on June 10, 2017
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Read the reviews and decide based on what others say. Also follow the directions the Captain send you to prepare for the trip.

FAQs about Fishing Charters in Potomac River

According to customer reviews, Osprey Fishing Charters, Thomason Tradition Sport Fishing, and Potomac Joe's Fishing Service are some of the most popular fishing charters in Potomac River. Full list of top fishing charters in Potomac River.
Thomason Tradition Sport Fishing received great reviews from families who booked fishing trips in Potomac River.
The best way to experience fishing in Potomac River is to book a private charter with a licensed fishing guide. See the full list of charters available for online booking here: List of fishing charters in Potomac River.
The top 8 fish species targeted on guided fishing trips in Potomac River are:
As the water temperatures start to warm up, the fishing only gets better! In April you can expect to catch Snakehead, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow and Brown Trout, and Catfish. Check availability for local fishing charters in Potomac River.