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Inland Fishing, Lower Potomac River |
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Inland Fishing, Lower Potomac River |
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FRESHWATER
FISHING HOTSPOTS Ft. Washington/ Piscataway Creek (Prince Georges County) History - 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. 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. Fish species found at Ft. Washington/ Piscataway Creek include large catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass (few), bluegill sunfish, pumpkinseed, white and yellow perch, eel, carp and crappie. Water Access
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. Directions
Mattawoman Creek (Charles County) Smallwood State Park/ Sweden Point Marina
Mattingly Park and Boat Ramp (Upper Mattawoman Creek)
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. 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. Largemouth bass is the most sought-after species, but Mattawoman also has catfish, carp, bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish, perch, pickerel, crappie and longnose gar. An occasional striper is not out of the question either. Directions to Smallwood State Park
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. Marshall Hall (Charles County) 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. 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. 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. Directions - Take 210 South (Indian Head Highway) to Marshall Hall Road/Rt 227. The boat launch is at the end of the road. License Requirement: Chesapeake Bay Sportfishing License is required to fish the mainstem of the Potomac. Contact Us - Comments and questions regarding fishing the lower Potomac River can be directed to: Maryland
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