It’s a fishing day

Potomac River — Williamsport fishing conditions · Maryland

Now until 7 amSmallmouth bass

The bite peaks at 86.

Log a trip here
Right now: 86 for smallmouth bass, go · inside the best windowTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Smallmouth bass, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 863 am
  2. 86
  3. 86
  4. 866 am
  5. 76
  6. 76
  7. 769 am
  8. 76
  9. 76
  10. 7612 pm
  11. 78
  12. 86
  13. 783 pm
  14. 78
  15. 78
  16. 766 pm
  17. 76
  18. 78
  19. 769 pm
  20. 76
  21. 76
  22. 76Tue
  23. 76
  24. 76
  25. 763 am
  26. 76
  27. 76
  28. 766 am
  29. 76
  30. 76
  31. 769 am
  32. 78
  33. 78
  34. 7812 pm
  35. 78
  36. 78
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now · best window

Water
No reading

Smallmouth bass range 55–78°

Wind
1 mph

From the east

Flow
1,310 cfs

steady · -6% in 24 h

Light
Dark

Sunrise 7:32 am

Sky
Mostly Clear

No rain expected

Air
38°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
100% lit

Full

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Maryland non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

86GoNow until 7 am

Water

No water reading here right now. Smallmouth bass bite in 55–78° water, best near 68°.

Why

Smallmouth bass is showing up in this week's state fishing report for the area. Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–30 ft down.

Keep

12" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: 12" minimum (or as set by special regulation), 5 bass a day combined with largemouth, kept only Jun 16 to the last day of February. Catch and release is allowed at all times. Bass may not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Apr–Nov. More on smallmouth bass

Muskellunge

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

80Worth the tripToday, 2 pm–3 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Muskellunge bite in 55–78° water, best near 68°.

Why

Muskellunge feeds aggressively under full moon. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

36" minimum · 1 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: muskellunge and tiger muskie 36" minimum, 1 a day (2 in possession), open all year. May not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: May–Jul, Sep–Nov. More on muskellunge

Walleye

Walleye

Sander vitreus

74Worth the tripNow until 7 am

Water

No water reading here right now. Walleye bite in 50–72° water, best near 62°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

15" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: 15" minimum, 5 a day (10 in possession), open all year. On the Potomac main stem from about half a mile above Chain Bridge to Cumberland, walleye over 20" must be released Jan 1–Apr 15. Deep Creek Lake and the Youghiogheny below the Route 42 bridge are closed Mar 1–Apr 15.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–May, Oct–Dec. More on walleye

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass

Micropterus salmoides

68MarginalNow until 7 am

Water

No water reading here right now. Largemouth bass bite in 55–85° water, best near 72°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

12" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: 12" minimum (or as set by special regulation), 5 bass a day combined with smallmouth, kept only Jun 16 to the last day of February. Catch and release is allowed at all times. Bass may not be used as bait.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–Nov. More on largemouth bass

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

68MarginalNow until 7 am

Water

No water reading here right now. Channel catfish bite in 60–85° water, best near 75°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 5–30 ft down.

Keep

5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: no minimum size, 5 a day (10 in possession), open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Apr–Nov. More on channel catfish

White Perch

White perch

Morone americana

68MarginalNow until 7 am

Water

No water reading here right now. White perch bite in 50–78° water, best near 65°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

no daily limit

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland nontidal waters: no minimum size and no daily limit, open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Season here: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. More on white perch

Common Carp

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

68MarginalNow until 7 am

Water

No water reading here right now. Common carp bite in 52–86° water, best near 72°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 1–15 ft down.

Keep

15 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maryland non-tidal waters: no minimum size, open year-round, 15 a day and 30 in possession.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Maryland non-tidal

Last checked 8 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Oct. More on common carp

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • River1,310 cfs · steady · -6% in 24 h
  • Barometer30.40 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunrise today7:32 am
  • Sunset today6:17 pm
  • MoonFull, 100% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 7:40 am–8:40 am
  • Major solunarToday 12:10 pm–2:10 pm
  • Minor solunarToday 5:50 pm–6:50 pm

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

Maryland DNR, Oct 14

Freshwater Fishing. The fall trout stocking program continues this week with new locations being stocked. Anglers should keep in mind that not every trout management water will be stocked and are encouraged to check the most updated stocking list on the trout stocking website . The stockings are posted on the afternoon of each stocking day. Fishing for smallmouth bass in the upper Potomac is being enjoyed by anglers this week. Cooler water temperatures are more comfortable for smallmouth bass, and they are actively feeding on baitfish and crayfish. Tubes, small crankbaits, and soft plastic swimbaits are all good choices when fishing current breaks and underwater ledges and boulders.

Quoted from the Maryland DNR weekly fishing report. Reports are what anglers and biologists saw that week, not a forecast.

Licenses and rules: MD DNR · fish-consumption advisory

About this spot

Cushwa Basin in Williamsport sits on the C&O Canal NHP and offers a public boat ramp plus miles of shore access on the upper Potomac — a classic non-tidal smallmouth, walleye, and muskellunge fishery. The towpath extends bank fishing east toward Dam 4 and west toward Fort Frederick.

NPS access at the C&O Canal Williamsport visitor center — free. Cushwa Basin boat ramp can be busy on summer weekends. Dam 4 area downstream holds the better walleye numbers in spring.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Conococheague Creek — Williamsport0 mi · MarylandBest now until 7 am
86Go
Antietam Creek — Burnside Bridge11 mi · MarylandBest now until 7 am
86Go
Greenbrier State Park12 mi · MarylandBest today 12 pm–5 pm
68Marginal
Big Hunting Creek — Catoctin19 mi · MarylandBest now until 4 am
78Worth the trip
Cacapon Resort State Park27 mi · West VirginiaBest now until 7 am
70Worth the trip
Potomac River — Point of Rocks27 mi · MarylandBest now until 7 am
92Go

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Potomac River — Williamsport?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Potomac River — 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 Potomac River — Williamsport?

Potomac River — Williamsport is listed on this site for 7 commonly-targeted species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Muskellunge, and 3 more. 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 Potomac River — 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 Potomac River — 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 Potomac River — Williamsport have?

Potomac River — Williamsport has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. NPS access at the C&O Canal Williamsport visitor center — free. Cushwa Basin boat ramp can be busy on summer weekends. Dam 4 area downstream holds the better walleye numbers in spring.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Potomac River — Williamsport?

Maryland DNR non-tidal (inland) regulations apply at Potomac River — 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 Potomac River — Williamsport tidal water?

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