It's a Fishing Day

Species

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus · family Ictaluridae

Invasive apex predator, now abundant throughout the tidal Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke. MDDNR actively encourages harvest. Caught on cut bait (bunker, white perch, gizzard shad) fished on bottom. 50+ lb fish are routine on the Potomac.

Preferred conditions

Water temp
55–85°F (ideal 72°F)
Tide
either
Moon
either
Depth
10–60 ft
Active months
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Best blue catfish conditions today

  1. Mason Neck State Park Fairfax, VA
    86/100
  2. Occoquan Regional Park Fairfax, VA
    86/100
  3. Pohick Bay Regional Park Fairfax, VA
    86/100
  4. Leesylvania State Park Prince William, VA
    86/100
  5. Sandy Point State Park Anne Arundel, MD
    74/100
  6. Conowingo Dam Tailrace Harford, MD
    74/100
  7. Susquehanna Flats Cecil, MD
    74/100
  8. Havre de Grace Fishing Pier Harford, MD
    74/100
  9. Rocky Point Park — Essex Baltimore, MD
    74/100
  10. North Point State Park Baltimore, MD
    74/100
  11. Kent Narrows — Public Fishing Pier Queen Anne's, MD
    74/100
  12. Romancoke Pier Queen Anne's, MD
    74/100
  13. Choptank River — Cambridge Dorchester, MD
    74/100
  14. Blackwater NWR — Fishing Area Dorchester, MD
    74/100
  15. Jug Bay — Patuxent River Anne Arundel, MD
    74/100
  16. Solomon's Island Fishing Pier Calvert, MD
    74/100

Regulations by jurisdiction

Maryland (tidal)

tidal bay

Creel
0

Invasive species in Maryland tidal waters. No minimum size, no creel limit, open year-round. MDDNR encourages anglers to harvest rather than release. Not listed in the Chesapeake Bay seasons/sizes/limits table because no restrictions apply.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Virginia (tidal — VMRC)

tidal bay

Creel
20

Virginia tidal rivers (James, York, Rappahannock, and their tributaries below the fall line) and inland Lake Gaston / Kerr Reservoir: effectively unlimited harvest of fish under 32 inches, BUT only 1 fish per day over 32 inches (trophy-size retention cap to preserve the big-fish fishery despite the invasive status). The general freshwater creel (20/day) applies above the fall line. VA has been actively reconsidering the 32-inch cap — a 2025 bill proposed removing it — so re-verify before relying on this for a trophy-size retention claim.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Potomac main stem (PRFC)

tidal potomac

Creel
no daily limit

Potomac River main stem (PRFC): invasive, no size limit, no daily creel limit, open year-round. PRFC, MDDNR, and VDWR all encourage harvest on the Potomac. The tidal Potomac produces 50+ lb fish routinely; it's a destination trophy fishery.

Source · verified 2026-04-22