It's a Fishing Day

Species

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides · family Centrarchidae

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.

Preferred conditions

Water temp
55–85°F (ideal 72°F)
Tide
either
Moon
either
Depth
3–25 ft
Active months
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Best largemouth bass 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. Susquehanna Flats Cecil, MD · harvest closed
    74/100
  6. Choptank River — Cambridge Dorchester, MD · harvest closed
    74/100
  7. Blackwater NWR — Fishing Area Dorchester, MD · harvest closed
    74/100
  8. Jug Bay — Patuxent River Anne Arundel, MD · harvest closed
    74/100
  9. Riverbend Park — Upper Potomac Fairfax, VA · harvest closed
    74/100
  10. Rocky Gap State Park — Lake Habeeb Allegany, MD
    68/100
  11. Loch Raven Reservoir Baltimore, MD
    68/100
  12. Liberty Reservoir Carroll, MD
    68/100
  13. Triadelphia Reservoir Howard, MD
    68/100
  14. Seneca Creek State Park — Clopper Lake Montgomery, MD
    68/100
  15. Lums Pond State Park New Castle, DE
    68/100
  16. Burke Lake Park Fairfax, VA
    68/100
  17. Prettyboy Reservoir Baltimore, MD
    33/100
  18. Monocacy River — Buckeystown Frederick, MD
    33/100
  19. Deep Creek Lake Garrett, MD
    29/100
  20. Lake Anna State Park Spotsylvania, VA
    15/100
  21. Jennings Randolph Lake Garrett, MD
    0/100

Regulations by jurisdiction

Maryland (non-tidal)

non tidal

Min size
12"
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 · verified 2026-04-22

Delaware (tidal)

non tidal

Min size
12"
Creel
6

Delaware non-tidal waters: 12-inch minimum, 6 per day — distinctly looser than MD (5/day aggregate with smallmouth) and no March–June 15 catch-and-release closure. Becks Pond (New Castle County) has a stricter 15-inch minimum and 2/day creel. No aggregate rule with smallmouth.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Virginia (non-tidal — VDWR)

non tidal

Creel
5

Non-tidal VA: 5 per day in aggregate with smallmouth bass (can't combine to exceed 5 total). No statewide minimum size. Numerous water-specific exceptions: James River (Jackson/Cowpasture to Richmond fall line) has a 14–22 inch protected slot with only 1 fish/day over 22 in; New River (Fields Dam to VA-WV line) has the same slot; Shenandoah River (all forks) has an 11–14 inch protected slot; Lake Moomaw requires 12-inch minimum; Briery Creek has no 16-inch fish allowed. Check water-specific rules before keeping any fish.

Source · verified 2026-04-22

Potomac main stem (PRFC)

tidal potomac

Min size
12"
Creel
5

Potomac River main stem (PRFC): 12-inch minimum most of the year, stepping UP to 15-inch minimum March 1–June 15 to protect the spawn. 5 per day. Circle hooks not required. The tidal Potomac is a legendary bass fishery (Fletchers Cove up to Great Falls, Mattawoman, Pomonkey). Distinct from MD non-tidal rules (which have a full March–June 15 C&R closure).

Source · verified 2026-04-22