Washington D.C. Area fishing

[trollboy8]

Looking for some info on D.C. area fishing opportunities. Will be there in May and would like to do some shore fishing--salty or fresh. Any info would be awesome. Thanks!
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[davetclown]

right there in front of the white house there is a nice pond, I hear you can catch some bottom feeding political suckers there... (just Kidding)


there is a nice road side park on the west shore of rosevelt island there next to 66 on the patomic river.

take 50 west to theador rosevelt park exit just before 66 up about a mile, dont cross the bridge on to the island, turn right before the bridge and park there.
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[trollboy8]

That is very interesting. Have you ever fished the potomac? I wonder about what kinds of species are available there. It is a tidal river, right? But fresh, not brackish if memory serves. Smallies?
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[davetclown]

[font "Arial"][#112288][size 4]this is probably more info than you want to know, but makes for interesting reading...[/size][/#112288][/font]
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[font "Arial"][#800000][size 4]FISHING, CRABBING AND SHELLFISHING[/size][/#800000][/font] [font "Arial"][#0000ff][size 4]
[/size][/#0000ff][/font][font "Arial"][#800000][size 4] [center]THE TIDAL POTOMAC[/size][/#800000][/font][font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[font "Arial"]The tidal Potomac River offers some of the finest fishing, crabbing and shellfishing on the Atlantic coast. The estuary runs from the tidal fresh waters of Washington, DC to the mid range salinities of the Chesapeake Bay at Point Lookout, Maryland and Smith Point, Virginia.[/font]
[font "Arial"]The Potomac not only serves as a very fine "fishing hole", it also serves as the state boundary line between Maryland and Virginia, and is the home of two other political jurisdictions, the District of Columbia and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission. [/font]
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[font "Arial"]The Potomac River Fisheries Commission is a Maryland and Virginia bi-state Commission, which regulates all fishing on the tidal mainstem of the Potomac between Washington, DC and the Chesapeake Bay, exclusive of the tributaries on either side of the river.[/font]

[font "Arial"]Each of these four jurisdictions has the authority to, and does, publish and enforce rules, regulations and laws dealing with such fishing matters as seasons, size limits, creel limits and licensing requirements. [/font]
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[font "Arial"]Knowing where you are fishing is important because licensing requirements, season and limits can be, and sometimes are, quite different. It is your responsibility to know what the laws are where you are fishing, crabbing or oystering.[/font]

[font "Arial"]The Potomac River Fisheries Commission, in cooperation with the State of Maryland, Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia, maintains a system of day markers at the mouths of the various creeks, bays and inlets, which are tributary to the Potomac. [/font]
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[font "Arial"]On several of the larger tributaries, intermediate spar or can buoys are maintained.[/font]
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[font "Arial"]The day markers consist of a 4-foot by 4-foot sign mounted on a steel piling. They are white with an orange border and black lettering. They are individually numbered and lettered and are generally located in shoal water near the headlands of the tributaries. This drawing may be useful in helping you decide where you are fishing![/font][font "Arial"][#0000ff] [center][/#0000ff][/font][font "Times New Roman"] [/font]
[font "Arial"]IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO LICENSE REQUIREMENTS OR REGULATIONS IN THE DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY.[/font]

[font "Arial"]MARYLAND (Except for Potomac River) Maryland Department of Natural Resources Tawes State Office building, B-2 580 Taylor Avenue Annapolis, Maryland 21401 (800) 688 FINS
[url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/"]www.dnr.state.md.us[/url][/font]

[font "Arial"]VIRGINIA (For Areas Below Rt. 301. Bridge) Virginia Marine Resources Commission 2600 Washington Avenue Newport News, Virginia 23607
(757) 247-2200
[url "http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/"]www.mrc.virginia.gov[/url][/font]

[font "Arial"]VIRGINIA (For Areas Above Rt. 301 Bridge) Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries 4010 West Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23230
(804) 367-1000
[url "http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/"]www.dgif.virginia.gov[/url][/font]

[font "Arial"]WASHINGTON, DC D.C. Fisheries and Wildlife Division 51"N" Street, NE 5th Floor Washington, DC 20002 (202) 535-2260
[url "http://www.dchealth.dc.gov/"]www.dchealth.dc.gov[/url][/font]

[font "Arial"]POTOMAC RIVER Potomac River Fisheries Commission P.O. Box 9 Colonial Beach, Virginia 22443 (804) 224-7148 or (800) 266-3904
[url "http://www.prfc.state.va.us/"]www.prfc.state.va.us[/url][/font][/center]
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[center][font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4][/url]FRESHWATER FISHING HOTSPOTS
[/size][/#000000][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 3]Lower Potomac River[/size][/#000000][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 3][size 4] [/size]
[url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/fwhotlowertidalpotomac.html#wash"]Ft. Washington/Piscataway Creek [/url]
[url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/fwhotlowertidalpotomac.html#mattawoman"]Mattawoman Creek [/url]
[/size][/#000000][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 3][url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/fwhotlowertidalpotomac.html#marshall"]Marshall Hall [/url]
[/size][/#000000][/font][/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 3][b][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][/url]Ft. Washington/ Piscataway Creek (Prince Georges County)[/font][/b][/size][/#000000][/font][/center] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][black]History -[/black] History: Fort Washington was completed in 1809 but was destroyed by its own garrison in 1814. It was rebuilt in 1824, and the first guns were put in place in 1846. Over the next 100 years the fort saw many changes, both structurally and in it's use. Various Artillary Units were assigned to the Fort, with the 8 Batteries at Ft. Washington being part of the Potomac Defense Command. The Fort was relegated to Harbor Defense prior to WWI but was called into service again as a staging area for troops headed to France once hostilities broke out in Europe. In 1939 the post was abandoned and turned over to the Department of Public Works. With the involvement of the U.S. in WWII, the fort was once again occupied by the Army and became the Adjutant General's School. Finally, in 1946, the usefulness of the Fort as a defense post was terminated and it was turned over to the Department of Interior where it has become an important part of our Nations history and a monument to war-time architecture. The area surrounding Ft Washington is open to the public with various amenities being maintained and provided by the US Dept. of Interior. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial"][/font] [/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Physical Description and Fish Species - The water off of Ft. Washington varies from shallow areas above and below the lighthouse, to fairly deep water just at the point itself. The point has been rip-rapped with boulders to help keep erosion at bay, so fish accordingly. If you are able to fish from a boat in Piscataway Creek, be mindful of the channel markers. Much of the Creek itself is very shallow, but it is worth working your way through the flats to fish along the structure near shore. The grass beds are great places to catch bass and perch, and the deeper holes hold some really big catfish. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][/size][/font] [/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Fish species found at Ft. Washington/ Piscataway Creek include large [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/catfish/catfish.html"]catfish[/url], [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/lgmouthbass/lgmouth.html"]largemouth bass[/url], [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/smmouthbass/smmouthbass.html"]smallmouth bass[/url] (few), [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/bluegill/bluegill.html"]bluegill [/url]sunfish, pumpkinseed, [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/whiteperch/wperch.html"]white[/url] and [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/yellowperch/yperch.html"]yellow perch[/url], [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/eel/eel.html"]eel[/url], carp and crappie.[/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Water Access[/size][/font][/left] [indent]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Ft. Washington Park[url "http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/fish/rampquery.cfm?Facility=PG005"] [/url]- Allows fishing at the base of the lighthouse where Piscataway Creek meets the Potomac River. The park covers 341 acres and has picnic areas, hiking, biking, and playgrounds for the kids. There is a fee for entering the park, but annual passes can also be purchased. For more information on Ft Washington Park, call (301)763-4600. [/size][/font]
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[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][url "http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/fish/rampquery.cfm?Facility=PG005"]Ft. Washington Marina[/url][url "http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/fish/rampquery.cfm?Facility=PG005"] -[/url] Boat access to Piscataway Creek and the Potomac River are available at Ft. Washington Marina for a fee. The Marina also has a restroom and some vending machines. [/size][/font]
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[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][url "http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/fish/rampquery.cfm?Facility=PG005"]Piscataway Park[/url] (National Park Service) - There is some bank fishing available at Piscataway park at Farmington Landing and the National Colonial Farm. Farmington Landing is on the South side of Piscataway and can be reached via Wharf Rd. National Colonial Farm is located just south of Piscataway and is on the mainstem of the Potomac. Inquiries as to places to fish can be obtained at the Park Visitor Center (phone: 301-283-2113). [/size][/font][/indent] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]License Requirements - A Chesapeake Bay Sportfishing license is required to fish the tidal portion of Piscataway Creek and the tidal Potomac. On Piscataway Creek the dividing line between fresh and tidal waters is the bridge on Maryland Rt. 224 (Livingston Rd.). Above the bridge a Maryland Freshwater License is required. [/size][/font][/left]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][black][size 2]Directions [/size][/black][/font] [indent] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]To Ft. Washington Park - From Rt. 210 south of the Beltway take either Fort Washington Rd. or Old Fort Rd. west to the Park Entrance. Fees apply to park admittance. Call (301)763-4600 for more information.[/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial"][/font] [/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]To Ft. Washington Marina - From Rt. 210 south of the Beltway take either Fort Washington Rd. or Old Fort Rd. west to Warburton Dr. (turn left), follow to King Charles Drive and turn right. There is a fee to use the boat ramp at the marina. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial"][/font] [/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]To Piscataway Park - From Rt. 210 south of the Beltway take Farmington Rd. (west) to either Wharf Rd., if you want to fish Farmington Landing in Piscataway, or Bryan Pt. Rd. if you want to fish at National Colonial Farm on the Potomac. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial"][/font] [/left] [center][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][/url][size 3]Mattawoman Creek (Charles County)[/size][/size][/font][/center] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/smallwood.html"]Smallwood State Park[/url]/ Sweden Point Marina[/size][/font][/left] [indent] [indent]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]History and Water Access - Smallwood State Park is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Parks Division. It covers 628 acres and is named after General William Smallwood, the fourth Governor of Maryland and a Revolutionary War officer. History enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the site of his home and surrounding area. The plantation home is open on Sundays with limited hours so call the park first if the plantation house is your destination. The park was dedicated in 1958 and hosts a marina, seasonal concession stand, boat ramps, picnic and camping areas, pavilions, a playground and nature trails. [/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Some shore fishing from Park property is allowed in Mattawoman creek and there are several piers located at Sweden Pt. Marina that are also open to fishing. Please inquire at park office as to areas open to fishing. The marina has accommodations for large boats and six boat ramps (fees apply). Small boat rentals are also available. For more information contact the park at (301)743-7613.[/size][/font][/indent][/indent]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Mattingly Park and Boat Ramp (Upper Mattawoman Creek) [/size][/font] [indent] [indent]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]History and Water Access - Mattingly was formerly known as Slavens Ramp. It is now run by the Town of Indian Head and is adjacent to Mattingly Park on the upper end of Mattawoman Creek. A small pier is available for fishing and there is limited shore access. The boat launch is best suited for small bass boats or similar watercraft. A launch fee applies. Inquiries should be directed to (301) 743-5511.[/size][/font][/indent][/indent]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]License Requirements for Mattawoman Creek - A Chesapeake Bay Sportfishing license is required to fish the tidal portion of Mattawoman Creek and the tidal Potomac. The dividing line for Mattawoman Creek is Md. Rt. 225. Above the bridge a Freshwater Fishing license is required. [/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Physical Description and Fish Species - Mattawoman Creek is primarily a shallow tributary to the Potomac River, but does have a defined channel for most of its navigable length. There is a 6 mph speed limit on the north side of the creek where the channel is close to the US Naval Surface Warfare Center. Boat speed is enforced by the military. Vegetation is thick at certain times of the year in Mattawoman with both SAV and lily beds being abundant throughout much of the creek. Other good fishing structures include downed trees, overhanging brush, concrete rip-rap, old barges and pilings. [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/lgmouthbass/lgmouth.html"]Largemouth bass[/url] is the most sought-after species, but Mattawoman also has [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/catfish/catfish.html"]catfish[/url], carp, [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/bluegill/bluegill.html"]bluegill[/url] and pumpkinseed sunfish, perch, [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/chainpickerel/chainpickerel.html"]pickerel[/url], crappie and longnose gar. An occasional [url "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/rockfish/rockfish.html"]striper[/url] is not out of the question either. [/size][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Directions to [url "http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/fish/rampquery.cfm?Facility=CH001"]Smallwood State Park[/url][/size][/font] [indent] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]From Rt. 301 south off the Beltway - Take Rt. 225 west in LaPlata, then take a left onto Rt. 224 to the Smallwood State Park Entrance on your right.[/size][/font] [font "Arial"][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]From Rt. 210 (Indian Head Highway) south of the Beltway - Take Rt. 225 east in Indian Head, then make a right onto Rt. 224 and follow the signs to the Smallwood State Park Entrance on your right.[/size][/font][/indent] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Directions to Mattingly Park Ramp - Take Rt 210 (Indian Head Highway) south of the Beltway. In the town of Indian Head make a left onto Mattingly Ave. just before the base gates. The ramp is at the end of the road.[/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial"][/font] [/left] [left]

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[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][/url][url "http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/fish/rampquery.cfm?Facility=CH002"][size 3]Marshall Hall (Charles County)[/size][/url][/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]History - The old manor house at Marshall Hall was built prior to 1740 by Thomas Marshall, a distinguished citizen of Charles County. The property around the ramp later became the site of the Marshall Hall amusement park that, at one time, included slot machines. Later, as the area began to increasingly develop, property was acquired by the Federal Government in order to preserve a pristine view across from Mt. Vernon in Virginia. The land that was acquired for this purpose ran from Piscataway Creek to Marshall Hall and was afterwards known as Piscataway Park. In 1981, before Marshall Hall could be restored to it's original condition, a fire claimed the structure and destroyed a fine example of early American colonial architecture, and the oldest one of it's type in southern Maryland. Currently, Charles County government owns Marshall Hall and allows recreational access to the Potomac River. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Physical Description and Fish Species - This ramp enters the mainstem of the Potomac River so varying depths and fishing conditions exist, depending on whether you fish from shore or boat. From shore, there is a wide "flat" on this part of the river, commonly referred to as "Greenway Flats". Water depth is shallow and the flat often is covered with vegetation. Fish commonly found here are catfish, largemouth bass, different kinds of sunfish, and an occasional smallmouth bass. Because of the flat shelf and solid bottom wading may also be a productive way to fish south of the ramp. The area adjacent to the north side of the ramp has a lot rip-rap rocks and boulders. If fishing from a boat, there are many channels and coves to fish but be mindful of the channel markers and look out for the larger boats that travel up and down the river. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Water Access - The county maintains a free double car boat ramp and boarding pier (no fishing is allowed from either the ramps or pier). Shore fishing is allowed adjacent to the ramp. The park is open dawn to dusk. This ramp is located directly on the Potomac, it is not in a creek or cove so it is subject to very rough water in brisk winds. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Directions - Take 210 South (Indian Head Highway) to Marshall Hall Road/Rt 227. The boat launch is at the end of the road. [/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]License Requirement: Chesapeake Bay Sportfishing License is required to fish the mainstem of the Potomac.[/size][/font][/left] [indent] [/indent] [left][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#000000][size 2][black]Contact Us -[/black] [/size][/#000000][/font][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Comments and questions regarding fishing the lower Potomac River can be directed to:[/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial"][/font] [/left] [center][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Service
Cedarville Visitors Center
Route 4, Box 106E
Brandywine, MD 20613[/size][/font][/center] [center]

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Male Fish Producing Eggs in Potomac River William Cocke
for National Geographic News
November 3, 2004 [left]Something fishy is happening in the headwaters of the Potomac River. Scientists have discovered that some male bass are producing eggs—a decidedly female reproductive function. [left] [left]In June 2002 reports appeared of fish die-offs in the South Branch of the Potomac River. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources asked U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists to examine fish health in the watershed near the town of Moorefield, about three hours' drive from Washington, D.C. [/left] [left] [/left] [left]Anglers were also reporting fish with lesions. USGS scientists determined that some of the lesions indicated exposure to bacteria and other contaminants. [left] [left] [left]The following year, the USGS conducted a more intensive assessment with a statistically significant number of fish, this time looking for internal damage. That's when they discovered a so-called intersex condition—where one sex exhibits both testicular and ovarian tissue. [left] [left]"It was not something we were really looking for," said Vicki Blazer, a fish pathologist with the USGS's Leetown Science Center in Kearneysville, West Virginia. [left] [left]Some 42 percent of male smallmouth bass surveyed showed signs of intersex development. A second sampling this spring produced an even higher rate—79 percent showed sexual abnormalities. [left] [left]Mysterious Sex Changes [left]The findings have perplexed the government scientists, who suspect a little-understood class of emerging contaminants. The contaminants include natural hormones excreted by humans and livestock as well as hormone-mimicking synthetic chemicals. The chemicals appear to confuse the endocrine systems of fish, essentially fooling males into producing female cells. [left] [left]Endocrine disruptors work like biological disinformation campaigns. Sometimes mimicking natural hormones like estrogen, they alter other hormone concentrations. The disruptors can either prevent or weaken the normal cell-signaling process. [left] [left]David O. Norris, a professor in the University of Colorado's Department of Integrative Physiology, has specialized in environmental endocrinology for over 35 years. He is leading an ongoing research project looking into hormone pollution in three rivers in the Denver area. [left] [left]"We're looking at the fish above and below where sewage treatment plant effluents are being added into the rivers," he said. "The best data we have are on Boulder Creek in terms of numbers of individuals. In all three cases we found reproductive abnormalities in fish downstream from where the effluent is." [left] [left] Continued on [url "http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/11/1103_041103_potomac_fish_2.html"]Next Page >>[/url]

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[trollboy8]

Actually, that is great! I really can't get enought information, thanks a ton!
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