Maryland
North Branch Potomac River at Barnum
Location Snapshot
North Branch Potomac River at Barnum is a western Maryland mountain river reach in the upper Potomac drainage. Brown and rainbow trout define the principal coldwater fishery across rocky runs and pools.
Current River Rating
Fair · 61
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Tuesday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 346 CFS
- Gage Height
- 3.25 ft
- Water Temperature
- 57.2 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 11:25 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01595800 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
43°F
Feels like
35°F
Wind
7 mph S
Wind gust
7 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 7:30 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 8 AM
Clear
Temp 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 12 PM
Clear
Temp 63°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 4 PM
Clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 8 PM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Wed 12 AM
Clear
Temp 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Wed 4 AM
Clear
Temp 45°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 68°F / Low 40°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Clear
High 65°F / Low 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Clear
High 66°F / Low 42°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 61°F / Low 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
The North Branch Potomac at Barnum is the trout tailwater below Jennings Randolph Lake, with stocked trout and wild brown trout.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at North Branch Potomac River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Maryland DNR
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Maryland DNR
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Best seasons
- Spring
- Fall
Common techniques
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
Stocking information
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · Maryland DNR
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Maryland DNR
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Allegany, Maryland
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Allegany
Management Category
Trout stream
Regulation Scope
North Branch Potomac River at Barnum / Westernport tailwater.
Regulation Summary
Maryland DNR trout and freshwater regulations apply on designated North Branch Potomac reaches. Confirm current Maryland and, where applicable, West Virginia rules for this border tailwater.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Flow Regulation
Flow can be influenced by Jennings Randolph Lake operations upstream. This information is not a condition rating.
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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