Conococheague Creek — Williamsport

Washington County, MD

The Conococheague enters the Potomac at Williamsport — a workmanlike smallmouth and channel catfish creek with deep holes and short runs. Lower stretch wadable in summer; bank access at Riverbottom Park and via the C&O Canal towpath at the mouth.

Live · updated

Smallmouth Bass — Great day to fish for Smallmouth Bass.

Best conditions of 3 species tracked at Conococheague Creek — Williamsport.

74 /100
great
Air Temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind
2 to 12 mph
SW
Rain
8%
Saturday
Pressure
Steady
6-hour trend
Water Temp
Inland
Flow
332 cfs
Steady · -9% / 24h
Sunrise
5:44 AM
Sunset
8:35 PM
Moon · 70%
waning gibbous

3 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.

#1 Smallmouth Bass Great day to fish for Smallmouth Bass. In season 74/100

What's helping

  • 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
  • Stable flow — settled river level — clearer water, easier wading

About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.

Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.

Regulations may be out of date

Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →

Min size
12"
Daily creel
5

Non-tidal MD: 12-inch minimum, 5 per day in aggregate with largemouth bass. Harvest season is June 16 through the last day of February. March 1–June 15 is catch-and-release only. Special regulations apply on sections of the non-tidal Potomac — check site-specific rules.

Source: Maryland non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.

#2 Channel Catfish Workable day for Channel Catfish. In season 68/100

What's helping

  • 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.

Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.

Regulations may be out of date

Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →

Daily creel
5

Non-tidal MD: no minimum size, 5 per day, open year-round. Standard freshwater fishing license required.

Source: Maryland non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.

#2 Largemouth Bass Workable day for Largemouth Bass. In season 68/100

What's helping

  • 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.

Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.

Regulations may be out of date

Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →

Min size
12"
Daily creel
5

Non-tidal MD: 12-inch minimum, 5 per day in aggregate with smallmouth bass. Harvest season is June 16 through the last day of February. March 1–June 15 is catch-and-release only to protect the spawn. Some waters have special regulations (slot limits, lower creel) — check the water-specific page.

Source: Maryland non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.

Water Body

Inland River

Access

Shoreline access

Jurisdiction

Maryland non-tidal

Coordinates

39.6010, -77.8224

Notes

Floods quickly after heavy rain — check the gauge before driving out. Riverbottom Park parking off East Salisbury Street.

What anglers are reporting

From the Maryland DNR weekly fishing report, published May 27, 2026.

Freshwater Fishing

Maryland’s spring trout stocking season is now complete. Stocking began in February and wrapped up on May 18. A total of 254,810 trout were stocked; 182,260 trout were stocked into open waters and 72,550 stocked under the closure period. Trout were stocked into 118 waterbodies, including 53 streams and rivers and 65 lakes and ponds. The next period of regular trout stocking will begin in October. Due to warming water temperatures, some delayed harvest trout management waters (known as Group I) in the central and parts of the western region will open to trout harvest from June 1 to September 30.

Species mentioned: trout

Excerpts are anecdotal and reflect a single week's observations from DNR biologists and reporting anglers — not predictions. Use as one signal among many; verify against current conditions before planning a trip.

Local reports & rules for Conococheague Creek — Williamsport: Maryland DNR fishing report → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisory →

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Conococheague Creek — Williamsport?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Conococheague Creek — Williamsport you need a Maryland non-tidal fishing license issued by MD DNR (and a separate Maryland trout stamp if targeting trout in non-tidal waters). See the agency's current rules: https://dnr.maryland.gov/pages/service_fishing_license.aspx

What fish are commonly targeted at Conococheague Creek — Williamsport?

Conococheague Creek — Williamsport is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Conococheague Creek — Williamsport?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Conococheague Creek — Williamsport against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Conococheague Creek — Williamsport have?

Conococheague Creek — Williamsport has shoreline / wading access. There is no pier or boat ramp at this location. Floods quickly after heavy rain — check the gauge before driving out. Riverbottom Park parking off East Salisbury Street.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Conococheague Creek — Williamsport?

Maryland DNR non-tidal (inland) regulations apply at Conococheague Creek — Williamsport. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Conococheague Creek — Williamsport tidal water?

No. Conococheague Creek — Williamsport is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.

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