Mason Neck State Park, Fairfax County, VA
Northern Snakehead fishing today
Great day to fish for Northern Snakehead.
74/100
Why today scores 74
- 69°F water — Inside Northern Snakehead's active range
- 7 mph wind — Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
Right now at Mason Neck State Park
- Water temp
- 69°F
- Air temp
- 80°F
- Wind
- 2 to 7 mph NW
- Tide phase
- incoming
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:22 AM / 7:51 PM
- Moon
- first quarter, 33% illuminated
- Solunar windows today
- 12:50 AM - 1:50 AM · 4:50 AM - 6:50 AM · 9:50 AM - 10:50 AM · 5:20 PM - 7:20 PM
- Forecast
- Sunny
About Northern Snakehead
Channa argus. Invasive ambush predator, now established throughout the tidal Potomac and much of the Eastern Shore. Also marketed as "Chesapeake Channa" to encourage harvest. Explosive topwater strikes in lily pads and grass flats; hits frogs, Chatterbaits, and swimbaits.
Preferred water temp: 55–85°F (ideal 75°F). Preferred tide: either.
VA regulations
- Daily creel limit
- no daily limit
Potomac River main stem (PRFC): invasive, no size limit, no daily creel, open year-round. It is illegal to possess a live snakehead or to release any living snakehead — anglers must kill the fish immediately. The tidal Potomac is the epicenter of the mid-Atlantic snakehead fishery; Mattawoman, Pomonkey, and the Anacostia are the best-known hotspots.
Source: PRFC regulations. Last verified: 2026-04-22.