On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, we break down the BRAND NEW Upper Potomac River data from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR)! We dive deep into the latest shocking data, electrofishing surveys, smallmouth bass population trends, trophy smallmouth numbers, walleye management, invasive flathead catfish expansion, fish stocking updates, and what all of this means for bass fishing in the Upper Potomac River heading into 2026!

If you love river smallmouth bass fishing, kayak bass fishing, bass fishing reports, tournament bass fishing, or fisheries biology, this is an episode you DO NOT want to miss!

We analyze the latest MD DNR catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data for:

Quality-size smallmouth bass (>11 inches)
 Preferred-size bronzebacks (>14 inches)
 Trophy/Memorable smallmouth bass (>18 inches)

We also discuss:

•  Upper Potomac River bass fishing conditions
•  Point of Rocks, Brunswick, Shepherdstown, Williamsport & Paw Paw survey zones
•  Why NO juvenile smallmouth bass stocking is planned for 2026
•  Big Slackwater fishery monitoring
•  Upper Potomac River electrofishing surveys
•  FishTagged.org smallmouth bass tagging project
•  Maryland DNR fisheries management strategy
•  Upper Potomac walleye stocking & tagging program
•  Invasive flathead catfish spreading through the Potomac River system
•  How flathead catfish may impact the smallmouth bass fishery
•  Trophy smallmouth bass fishing opportunities in Maryland, Virginia & West Virginia

Episode on the Smallmouth Stocking Program: https://youtu.be/ORoGSBSGfjk 

Maryland Department of Natural Resources:  https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/default.aspx 

Maryland DNR Muskie Survey:  https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/recreational/muskie.aspx

Fish Tagged Program: https://fishtagged.org/  

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Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ 

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 Phone Number: (757) 566-1278

Email: [email protected]

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