LivewellMaryland · River
Potomac River Little Orleans
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Potomac River Little Orleans, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
What's safe to eat from Potomac River Little Orleans
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: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Potomac River Little Orleans
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
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
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.9 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 4.1 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.