Species Guide

ID: Green body with a dark lateral stripe, large mouth extending past the eye.

Habitat: Lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers; loves structure like logs, docks, and weed beds.

Tip: Target shady spots during hot days — bass avoid bright, shallow water in midday heat.

ID: Long, slender body with dark blotches; large mouth full of sharp teeth.

Habitat: Shallow, weedy areas in rivers and creeks; can breathe air and survive in low-oxygen water.

Tip: Be ready for a violent strike — snakehead hit hard and fight even harder.

ID: Bronze to gold color, deep-bodied with whisker-like barbels near the mouth.

Habitat: Slow-moving or still waters like the Tidal Basin, ponds, and backwater creeks.

Tip: Patience is key — carp feed slowly, so wait before setting the hook.

ID: Silver body with black speckles; rounded dorsal fin.

Habitat: Schools near brush piles, submerged trees, and docks in lakes and reservoirs.

Tip: Keep moving until you find the school — once you do, the action can be nonstop.

ID: Bronze to brown color with vertical stripes; smaller mouth that ends before the eye.

Habitat: Clear, rocky rivers like the upper Potomac and Shenandoah.

Tip: Fish faster-moving water — smallmouth love current.

ID: Blue-gray color, deeply forked tail, no spots; can grow massive.

Habitat: Big rivers like the Potomac.

Tip: Target deep holes and channel edges, especially in winter.

ID: Flat, wide head; mottled brown/yellow coloring; squared tail.

Habitat: Deep holes in rivers with structure like logs.

Tip: Mostly nocturnal — prime time is dusk to midnight.

ID: Slender body, forked tail, dark spots on the sides.

Habitat: Rivers, reservoirs, and large ponds.

Tip: Active at night — try fishing just after sunset.