LivewellMaryland · Reservoir
North Branch of Potomac River from Oldtown to Jennings Randolph Reservoir
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for North Branch of Potomac River from Oldtown to Jennings Randolph Reservoir, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
4 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PFOS
What's safe to eat from North Branch of Potomac River from Oldtown to Jennings Randolph Reservoir
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. | |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Large And Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Rock Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Walleye
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Is it legal to keep?
These are Maryland's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 30" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | 24" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | 8" min | 15 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Maryland — Maryland DNR