Penn’s Outdoors

An article by Gene Mueller at WashingtonTimes.com makes a very bold statement…

Not far from Antietam, where the bloodiest Civil War battle was fought in 1862 resulting in more than 23,000 casualties, lies a long section of the rock-laden Potomac River that can provide some of the finest walleye fishing anywhere. This is no idle chatter. I mean anywhere and that includes the hallowed walleye fishing grounds of Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania.

He goes onto specifically compare the Upper Potomac to Lake Erie and Mille Lacs Lake, two world famous walleye destinations.  I have a hard time believing that it could be that good.  But he certainly has my attention for three reasons:

1. While PA has some good fishing, it is my opinion that our walleye fishing, with the exception of Lake Erie, isn’t that great.  I know people who fish for walleye on certain PA fisheries and do well, but I don’t think there is a body of water that people from outside PA would come to us to fish specifically for walleye.
2. Lake Erie is really a tough place to fish unless you have a big enough boat or use a charter.  This leaves a number of us from calling Lake Erie a regular walleye destination.
3. The excellent walleye fishing in Northern Minnesota and Northwestern Ontario are 16+ hour drives for most of us.

So for me the walleye fishing doesn’t have to equal the most famous of destinations to warrant a visit.  The Potomac is in easy reach for many of us in Southcenral and Southwestern Counties of PA.  The Potomac also doesn’t need a big boat to navigate. 

According to the article, the walleye fishing on the Potomac can be good all year around but is better in the colder months.

Mullican, who has caught walleyes up to 8 pounds in the upper Potomac, says it is possible to catch the tooth-filled species all year long up and down the freshwater portions of the river, but it’s during the cool months they appear to be most cooperative.

I love fishing for walleye and a trip to the Potomac is now on my to do list.