It's a Fishing Day

Species

Northern Snakehead

Channa argus · family Channidae

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 conditions

Water temp
55–85°F (ideal 75°F)
Tide
either
Moon
either
Depth
2–10 ft
Active months
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Best northern snakehead conditions today

  1. Choptank River — Cambridge Dorchester, MD
    74/100
  2. Blackwater NWR — Fishing Area Dorchester, MD
    74/100
  3. Jug Bay — Patuxent River Anne Arundel, MD
    74/100
  4. Mason Neck State Park Fairfax, VA
    74/100
  5. Occoquan Regional Park Fairfax, VA
    74/100
  6. Pohick Bay Regional Park Fairfax, VA
    74/100
  7. Leesylvania State Park Prince William, VA
    74/100

Regulations by jurisdiction

Maryland (tidal)

tidal bay

Creel
0

Invasive species. No minimum size, no daily limit, open year-round. Illegal to possess, transport, or introduce alive in Maryland. Branded as "Chesapeake Channa" by MDDNR to encourage harvest and consumption.

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, 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 · verified 2026-04-22

Virginia (non-tidal — VDWR)

non tidal

Creel
no daily limit

Non-tidal VA: invasive, no size limit, no daily creel. Anglers must immediately kill any snakehead caught and notify VDWR headquarters or the regional office — unlike MD, VA treats snakehead as a "report" species.

Source · verified 2026-04-22