The North Branch of the Potomac near Luke and Westernport is a recovering tailwater fishery below Jennings Randolph Dam. Stocked regularly with brown and rainbow trout; water quality has improved dramatically since paper-mill closures. Bank access along MD 135.
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Top picks today
Brown Trout & Rainbow Trout — tied at the top (47/100)
2 species tied for best of 3 tracked at North Branch Potomac River — Luke.
47/100
ok
Atmosphere
Air Temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind
8 to 13 mph
W
Rain
87%
Friday
Pressure
Steady
6-hour trend
Water
Water Temp
56°F
Inland
Flow
72.9 cfs
Steady · +0% / 24h
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:48 AM
Sunset
8:43 PM
Moon · 11%
waning crescent
Species at North Branch Potomac River
3 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 2 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1Brown TroutMarginal conditions for Brown Trout.In season 47/100
What's helping
✓56°F water — right in brown trout's ideal range
✓13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
−Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About.Salmo trutta — Naturally reproduces in the Gunpowder River tailwater (Loch Raven below Prettyboy) and several Western MD streams; also heavily stocked. Typically more wary than rainbows. Classic mayfly hatches on the Gunpowder — sulphurs, BWOs, caddis. Streamer-eaters after dark.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
Daily creel 2 in aggregate across trout species; possession 4 in aggregate. No minimum size. Same Closure 1 March 8–28 pre-season rule applies. Many brown trout fisheries (Gunpowder below Prettyboy, Savage River tailwater) are Catch-and-Return only or have elevated minimum size — check water-specific regs. Trout stamp required.
−Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About.Oncorhynchus mykiss — The most heavily stocked trout in Maryland. Put-and-take fisheries across the state plus holdover/wild fish in Western MD streams (Savage, Youghiogheny tailwater, Gunpowder). Takes PowerBait, small spinners, and standard dry/nymph patterns.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Daily creel 2 in aggregate across all trout species; possession limit 4 in aggregate. No minimum size. Put-and-Take "Closure 1" areas are closed March 8–March 28, 2026 (10pm–6:30am) for pre-season stocking. Special Trout Management Areas (Catch-and-Return, Delayed Harvest, Trophy Trout) have their own regulations — verify per water. Trout stamp required in addition to the standard freshwater license.
#3Smallmouth BassCheck local Smallmouth Bass regulations before you keep one.Regs unverified 35/100
Regulations not yet verified
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Smallmouth Bass in MD on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.
What's helping
✓56°F water — inside smallmouth bass's active range
✓13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
−Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
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.
No regulations on file for Maryland non-tidal / non-tidal-trout. Check the appropriate state agency directly before 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.
Do I need a fishing license to fish at North Branch Potomac River — Luke?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at North Branch Potomac River — Luke 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 North Branch Potomac River — Luke?
North Branch Potomac River — Luke is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth 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 North Branch Potomac River — Luke?
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 North Branch Potomac River — Luke 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 North Branch Potomac River — Luke have?
North Branch Potomac River — Luke has shoreline / wading access. There is no pier or boat ramp at this location. Water temperatures can be cold year-round thanks to deep reservoir releases — good for summer trout. Check MD DNR stocking reports for timing.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at North Branch Potomac River — Luke?
Maryland DNR non-tidal (inland) regulations apply at North Branch Potomac River — Luke. 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 North Branch Potomac River — Luke tidal water?
No. North Branch Potomac River — Luke is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.