Top spots to fish the Potomac River in March
- Great Falls Park, Maryland side — early-season striped bass and white bass are often staged in the boulder runs as water warms.
- Fletcher's Cove, Washington, DC — classic spring run for shad and white perch; bring small marabou jigs or shad darts.
- Georgetown/Palisades area (DC/VA) — shallow flats and eddies heat up first; good for white perch and smallmouth on sunny days.
- Point of Rocks / Brunswick area (MD side upstream) — strong current and rock piles hold smallmouth and whites; cast plastics, cranks, and jigs.
Weather & timing: March is driven by warm fronts. Water temps are typically in the 40s F; look for days after a warm spell. Dawn and late afternoon are usually productive, especially with a gentle wind pushing bait into shallower spots.
Lures & rigs:
- Stripers: chrome/silver spoons and swimbaits; 12-20 lb braid with a 15-30 lb fluorocarbon leader; long casts to eddies.
- Shad: small shad darts or marabou jigs (#6-10) in chartreuse or white; cast upstream and do a slow hop or drift.
- White perch & bass: small jigs (#6-12) and soft plastics; consider drop-shot or light jigging setups.
Gear tips: 6'6"–7' rod, 12-20 lb mainline, 15-30 lb leader for stripers; bring a lighter rig for shad.
For real-field inspo, check these fishing videos:
- Washington DC Rockfish! Releasing a Striped Bass in the Potomac River
- Potomac Blue Catfishing in March - Day 2
Tackle picks (fishing-related):
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Stay safe around currents and slippery rocks. Respect local regs and bag limits.
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You’ve got this—tight lines and good luck this March!
