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.
5 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 of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. | |
| Children | For children: safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Children | For children: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Rock Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Children | For children: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Children | For children: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Walleye
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women of childbearing age | For women of childbearing age: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Children | For children: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
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