Maryland
Potomac River at Point of Rocks
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Sunday, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 2210 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.5 ft
- Water Temperature
- 82 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 6:55 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01638500 · 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
71°F
Feels like
76°F
Wind
4 mph W
Wind gust
6 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.10 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Overcast
Temp 73°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 79°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 4 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 83°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 PM
Drizzle
Temp 75°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.03 in
Wind 2 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 72°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Drizzle
High 83°F / Low 70°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.03 in
Max gust 17 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 63°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 82°F / Low 56°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 6 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 86°F / Low 59°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 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
USGS streamgage POTOMAC RIVER AT POINT OF ROCKS, MD (01638500). Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. App-supported continuous parameters currently available: water temperature (00010), streamflow (00060), and gage height (00065). This destination is the bounded Point of Rocks upper Potomac smallmouth reach above Little Falls / DC tide. It is not Fletcher's Cove, not North Branch at Barnum, not C&O Georgetown, and not the entire Potomac system.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at 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
Fishery overview
Bounded nontidal upper Potomac smallmouth corridor at the Point of Rocks USGS gage. Maryland DNR's Black Bass Annual Review names the nontidal / upper Potomac among Maryland's best smallmouth fisheries. USGS 01638500 provides live water temperature, streamflow, and stage. This record is not Fletcher's Cove and not the entire Potomac system.
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
Smallmouth bass are the primary Point of Rocks upper Potomac target.
Source: Maryland DNR
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Frederick County upper Potomac river habitat at the Point of Rocks gauge reach, above Little Falls / DC tide.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public access is documented by Maryland DNR for upper Potomac waters. Catalog coordinates are the USGS gage point, not a verified put-in pin.
Stocking information
Smallmouth bass are established on the nontidal upper Potomac. Confirm any current DNR stockings on official DNR pages.
Official sources
This destination is the Point of Rocks gauge reach only. Interstate disclosure applies. Verify current Maryland DNR rules before fishing.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Frederick, 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
Frederick
Management Category
Warmwater river
Regulation Scope
Potomac River at Point of Rocks gauge reach
Regulation Summary
Maryland DNR freshwater regulations apply on this upper Potomac reach. Interstate / border-water considerations may apply. Confirm current seasons, methods, and limits before fishing.
Target Species
Smallmouth Bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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