North Branch Potomac River

Type: Tailwater, Maryland (East)
Designation: Catch and release · Delayed Harvest
USGS gauges: 3 live
Guides: None listed
Shops: 1 nearby

Today on the North Branch Potomac River

Caution: Rising water: fishable, but watch the level

No water temperature here.

Flow now: 78.4 ft³/s
Vs normal for Nov 5: Normal
Trend: Rising over 24 h
Last reading: Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST

At NORTH BRANCH POTOMAC RIVER AT STEYER, MD (USGS 01595000) · 1 of 3 gauges below Provisional USGS data

The North Branch Potomac River is a tailwater in Maryland and West Virginia, listed as Catch and release by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Maryland Fishing Guide, eRegulations edition).

More about the North Branch Potomac River

3 USGS gauges on the water report flow. 1 shop nearby are listed here.

Updated 5 Nov 2026 · Sources: Catch-and-Return Trout Fishing Areas—Limited to the Use of Artificial Lures, USGS Water Data

Representative photograph of similar water; not a photograph of this place. — Representative photograph, not this water.

Where it is

North Branch Potomac River is a tailwater in Maryland and West Virginia.

Flow now at 3 gauges

NORTH BRANCH POTOMAC RIVER AT STEYER, MD

USGS 01595000 · NWS STYM2

Caution: Rising water: fishable, but watch the level

Rising: discharge up 31.1% in 24 hours (59.8 to 78.4 ft³/s). Our rule of thumb: more than 10% (or 0.2 ft) in 24 hours, not a USGS class.
Flow 78.4 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 70 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey

What the agencies suggest

Keep an eye on your surroundings. Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundings Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 78.4 ft³/s
Gauge height: 2.45 ft

Reading Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 78.4 ft³/s at Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST	78.4	2.45
Nov 5, 9:15 PM EST	80.4	2.46
Nov 5, 8:15 PM EST	80.4	2.46
Nov 5, 7:15 PM EST	80.4	2.46
Nov 5, 6:15 PM EST	80.4	2.46
Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST	80.4	2.46
Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST	80.4	2.46
Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST	80.4	2.46
Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST	80.4	2.46
Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST	78.4	2.45
Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST	76.4	2.44
Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST	74.4	2.43
Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST	72.5	2.42
Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST	68.7	2.4
Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST	66.9	2.39
Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST	66.9	2.39
Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST	63.3	2.37
Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST	63.3	2.37
Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 10:15 AM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 9:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 3, 8:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 3, 7:15 AM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 6:15 AM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 5:15 AM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 4:15 AM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 2:15 AM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 1:15 AM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 2, 11:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 2, 10:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 2, 9:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 2, 8:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 2, 7:15 PM EST	58.1	2.34
Nov 2, 6:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 5:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 4:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 3:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 2:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 12:15 PM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 11:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 10:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 9:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 8:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 7:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 6:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 5:15 AM EST	59.8	2.35
Nov 2, 4:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 2, 3:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 2, 1:15 AM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 2, 12:15 AM EST	63.3	2.37
Nov 1, 11:15 PM EST	63.3	2.37
Nov 1, 10:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 1, 9:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 1, 8:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 1, 7:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 1, 6:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 1, 5:15 PM EST	61.5	2.36
Nov 1, 4:15 PM EST	63.3	2.37
Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST	63.3	2.37
Nov 1, 2:15 PM EST	63.3	2.37
Nov 1, 1:15 PM EST	63.3	2.37
Nov 1, 12:15 PM EST	63.3	2.37
Nov 1, 11:15 AM EST	63.3	2.37
Nov 1, 10:15 AM EST	65.1	2.38
Nov 1, 9:15 AM EST	65.1	2.38
Nov 1, 8:15 AM EST	65.1	2.38
Nov 1, 7:15 AM EST	65.1	2.38
Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST	65.1	2.38
Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST	65.1	2.38
Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST	65.1	2.38
Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST	65.1	2.38
Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST	65.1	2.38
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST	65.1	2.38
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT	65.1	2.38
Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT	66.9	2.39
Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT	66.9	2.39
Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT	68.7	2.4
Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT	68.7	2.4
Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT	68.7	2.4
Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT	68.7	2.4
Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT	68.7	2.4
Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT	68.7	2.4
Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT	68.7	2.4
Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT	68.7	2.4
Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT	68.7	2.4
Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT	68.7	2.4
Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT	70.6	2.41
Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT	74.4	2.43
Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT	74.4	2.43
Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT	72.5	2.42
Oct 29, 11:30 PM EDT	72.5	2.42

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 34–117 ft³/s (middle half of 70 years of record). Now: 78.4 ft³/s, normal.

Normal for this date. 78.4 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 70 years of record (1957–2026): 10th 22, 25th 34, median 70, 75th 117, 90th 183 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 13 ft³/s, highest 4,410 ft³/s.

Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).

Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 31.1%, from 59.8 to 78.4 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

NWS observed 2.45 ft stage, 79 ft³/s at Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST (NWS gauge STYM2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 8 ft
Minor flood: 9 ft
Moderate flood: 12 ft
Major flood: 13 ft

Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Maryland DNR uses are 65°F and 68°F.

Species

This gauge is on our page for North Branch Potomac River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)
Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 31.1%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page

NORTH BRANCH POTOMAC RIVER AT KITZMILLER, MD

USGS 01595500 · NWS KITM2

Caution: Rising water: fishable, but watch the level

Rising: discharge up 43.5% in 24 hours (108 to 155 ft³/s). Our rule of thumb: more than 10% (or 0.2 ft) in 24 hours, not a USGS class.
Flow 155 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 59 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey

What the agencies suggest

Keep an eye on your surroundings. Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundings Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 155 ft³/s
Gauge height: 2.39 ft

Reading Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 155 ft³/s at Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST	155	2.39
Nov 5, 9:15 PM EST	143	2.34
Nov 5, 8:15 PM EST	137	2.31
Nov 5, 7:15 PM EST	133	2.29
Nov 5, 6:15 PM EST	128	2.27
Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST	126	2.26
Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST	122	2.24
Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST	120	2.23
Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST	118	2.22
Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST	118	2.22
Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST	114	2.2
Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST	110	2.18
Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST	110	2.18
Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST	107	2.16
Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 10:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 9:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 8:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 7:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 6:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 5:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 4:15 AM EST	105	2.15
Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST	105	2.15
Nov 3, 2:15 AM EST	105	2.15
Nov 3, 1:15 AM EST	105	2.15
Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 11:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 10:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 9:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 8:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 7:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 6:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 5:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 4:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 3:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 2:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 12:15 PM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 11:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 10:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 9:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 2, 8:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 2, 7:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 6:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 5:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 4:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 3:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 2, 1:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 2, 12:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 1, 11:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 1, 10:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 1, 9:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 1, 8:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 7:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 6:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 5:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 4:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 2:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 1:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 12:15 PM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 11:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 10:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 9:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 8:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 7:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT	114	2.2
Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 29, 11:30 PM EDT	124	2.25

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 68–321 ft³/s (middle half of 59 years of record). Now: 155 ft³/s, normal.

Normal for this date. 155 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 59 years of record (1950–2026): 10th 35, 25th 68, median 164, 75th 321, 90th 539 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 22 ft³/s, highest 1,430 ft³/s.

Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 43.5%, from 108 to 155 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

NWS observed 2.39 ft stage, 155 ft³/s at Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST (NWS gauge KITM2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 8 ft
Minor flood: 9 ft
Moderate flood: 12 ft
Major flood: 15 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:59 AM EST. Highest point: 2.2 ft, 114 ft³/s on Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).

NWS forecast, highest value each day
Day	Stage	Flow
Thu, Nov 5	2.2 ft	114 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	2.1 ft	96 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	2.1 ft	96 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	2 ft	78 ft³/s

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Maryland DNR uses are 65°F and 68°F.

Species

This gauge is on our page for North Branch Potomac River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)
Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 43.5%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page

NORTH BRANCH POTOMAC RIVER AT LUKE, MD

USGS 01598500 · NWS LUKM2

Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here

Flow 445 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 84 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
No water-temperature reading at this gauge: take a stream thermometer.
Below NWS action stage (official NWS category). That is not a statement that wading is safe. National Weather Service

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 445 ft³/s
Gauge height: 2.01 ft

Reading Nov 5, 11:00 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 445 ft³/s at Nov 5, 11:00 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 11:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 10:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 9:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 8:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 7:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST	450	2.02
Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST	455	2.03
Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST	455	2.03
Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST	450	2.02
Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST	435	1.99
Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST	435	1.99
Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST	440	2
Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST	445	2.01
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST	440	2
Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT	445	2.01
Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT	440	2
Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT	440	2
Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT	440	2
Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT	440	2
Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT	440	2
Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT	450	2.02
Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT	450	2.02
Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT	450	2.02
Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT	450	2.02
Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT	450	2.02
Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT	450	2.02
Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT	450	2.02
Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT	445	2.01
Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT	450	2.02
Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT	445	2.01

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 176–463 ft³/s (middle half of 84 years of record). Now: 445 ft³/s, normal.

Normal for this date. 445 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 84 years of record (1900–2026): 10th 101, 25th 176, median 263, 75th 463, 90th 959 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 24 ft³/s, highest 5,110 ft³/s.

Steady over 24 hours (+0% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

NWS observed 2.01 ft stage, 445 ft³/s at Nov 5, 10:00 PM EST (NWS gauge LUKM2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 9 ft
Minor flood: 10.5 ft
Moderate flood: 12.5 ft
Major flood: 15 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:59 AM EST. Highest point: 2 ft, 440 ft³/s on Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).

NWS forecast, highest value each day
Day	Stage	Flow
Thu, Nov 5	2 ft	440 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	2 ft	440 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	2 ft	440 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	2 ft	440 ft³/s

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Maryland DNR uses are 65°F and 68°F.

Species

This gauge is on our page for North Branch Potomac River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page

Checked Nov 5, 11:25 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.

Reading the gauges…

Check any river's flow

Follow North Branch Potomac River for flow alerts

Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.

Follow this water

Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.

Where to fish

Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Maryland fishing maps (Public Angler Access Map)

North Branch Potomac River on the map

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Restrooms Access map

Map of North Branch Potomac River with 3 USGS gauges, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near North Branch Potomac River

Restrooms within 2 miles of North Branch Potomac River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.

No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.

Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.

Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.

More water near North Branch Potomac River

Running well now
Photo credit
The Savage River from the Allegany Bridge, Savage River State Forest. Photo: Aneta Kaluzna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Savage River
Maryland · about 8 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
72.9cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Running well nowRepresentative photo · not North Branch Potomac River
Photo credit
The Elk River at the Clendenin access, West Virginia (downstream of the trout water near Webster Springs). Photo: Jcyoung1981 2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not North Branch Potomac River.
North Branch Potomac River
West Virginia · about 5 mi
346cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Delayed HarvestRepresentative photo · not Casselman River
Photo credit
The Little Juniata River at the 1898 Birmingham Bridge, near Birmingham, Pennsylvania (black-and-white survey photograph). Photo: Jet Lowe, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Casselman River.
Casselman River
Maryland · about 21 mi
46.5cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Youghiogheny River
Photo credit
Big Gunpowder Falls from the Torrey C. Brown rail trail, Maryland. Photo: Henrysz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Youghiogheny River.
Youghiogheny River
Maryland · about 22 mi
82.6cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Blackwater River
Photo credit
The Jackson River in the Hidden Valley, Bath County, Virginia. Photo: Nyttend, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Blackwater River.
Blackwater River
West Virginia · about 24 mi
88.5cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not South Branch Potomac River
Photo credit
Tyrone, Pennsylvania, from the air: Bald Eagle Creek meets the Little Juniata River in the town (the creek is not visible at this distance). Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not South Branch Potomac River.
South Branch Potomac River
West Virginia · about 28 mi
59cfsFlow now · normal for the date

Trophy / quality trout water
Photo credit
The Savage River from the Allegany Bridge, Savage River State Forest. Photo: Aneta Kaluzna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Savage River
Maryland · about 8 mi
Rainbow, brown & brook trout
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not North Branch Potomac River
Photo credit
The Elk River at the Clendenin access, West Virginia (downstream of the trout water near Webster Springs). Photo: Jcyoung1981 2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not North Branch Potomac River.
North Branch Potomac River
West Virginia · about 5 mi
Delayed HarvestRepresentative photo · not Casselman River
Photo credit
The Little Juniata River at the 1898 Birmingham Bridge, near Birmingham, Pennsylvania (black-and-white survey photograph). Photo: Jet Lowe, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Casselman River.
Casselman River
Maryland · about 21 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Youghiogheny River
Photo credit
Big Gunpowder Falls from the Torrey C. Brown rail trail, Maryland. Photo: Henrysz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Youghiogheny River.
Youghiogheny River
Maryland · about 22 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Blackwater River
Photo credit
The Jackson River in the Hidden Valley, Bath County, Virginia. Photo: Nyttend, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Blackwater River.
Blackwater River
West Virginia · about 24 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not South Branch Potomac River
Photo credit
Tyrone, Pennsylvania, from the air: Bald Eagle Creek meets the Little Juniata River in the town (the creek is not visible at this distance). Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not South Branch Potomac River.
South Branch Potomac River
West Virginia · about 28 mi

Regulations

Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.

2 official designations

Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.

Catch and release
On the Catch-and-Return Trout Fishing Areas—Limited to the Use of Artificial Lures list (Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Maryland Fishing Guide, eRegulations edition), read 2026-10-20). All waters with this designation
- from an overhead cable and red bank post located approximately 345 yards below the Jennings Randolph Reservoir spillway downstream approximately one mile to a red post, located approximately 100 yards above the upstream concrete abutments at Barnum, West Virginia, and from a red post located below a pool known as Blue Hole, approximately 1⁄3 mile upstream of Bench Mark 1110 on the Westernport United States Geological Survey Quadrangle, downstream approximately 4 miles to the confluence of Piney Swamp Run
- from the Upper Potomac River Commission Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge at Westernport downstream to the Route 956 bridge at Pinto
Delayed Harvest
On the Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Areas (Group I and II) list (Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Maryland Fishing Guide, eRegulations edition), read 2026-10-20). All waters with this designation
- Group II: from the lowermost boundary of the Potomac State Forest near Lostland Run to the uppermost boundary of the Potomac State Forest at Wallman

Public land along it

Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

Jennings Randolph Recreation AreaArmy Corps of Engineers
Allegheny Wildlife Management AreaState Department of Natural Resources
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical ParkNational Park Service · restricted
Fort Hill PreserveNon-Governmental Organization · restricted

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Guides and shops near North Branch Potomac River

Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.

Guides

No guide within 40 miles yet.

All Maryland guides

1 shop nearby

Savage River Outfitters
Swanton, MD
Fly shop · Guided trips · Lodging
- Unclaimed
View shop

All Maryland shops

Plan your stay

Getting there

MGW · Morgantown · 43 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
CKB · Bridgeport · 56 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
PIT · Pittsburgh · 94 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)

About this

Miles are straight-line distances, not drive times.
Airports: scheduled passenger service, from OurAirports (public domain) (2026-11-04).
Lodges are listed when their own website talks about fishing. Prices and availability are the lodge's own.

Plan a trip here

None of our destination hubs is within 40 miles in a straight line. The trip planner builds a trip around the water itself: the guides and shops listed within 40 miles of it, its gauges and its nearest towns and airports.

No hub within 40 miles

Plan a trip here

Gear checklist

A practical checklist for fly fishing small mountain trout streams: a short 3–4 weight rod, light line, a few buoyant dries and simple wet-wading gear, with estimated prices and where to buy.

An angler stands on a boulder at the edge of a fast forest stream and fishes the run

Small mountain streams

7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout

Open the checklist

Videos for this water (5)

Watch: reading a trout stream

Seams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

How I Learned to Read Water (Fly Fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Mad River Outfitters · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
How To Read The Water with Tom RosenbauerEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Reading the Water to Successfully Locate TroutEmbedded from YouTube · Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on reading water

Watch: nymphing basics

Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

90° Nymph RigEmbedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Casting with an Indicator & Better Nymphing TechniquesEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on nymphing

Fish Tales

Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with North Branch Potomac River.

No stories from here yet.

Write the first story Share your day

Sources for this page

Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.

Something wrong?

All 13 sources and dates

A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.

Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge NORTH BRANCH POTOMAC RIVER AT KITZMILLER, MD. Water type is our own classification.

NORTH BRANCH POTOMAC RIVER AT KITZMILLER, MD

USGS 01595500 · NWS KITM2

Caution: Rising water: fishable, but watch the level

Rising: discharge up 43.5% in 24 hours (108 to 155 ft³/s). Our rule of thumb: more than 10% (or 0.2 ft) in 24 hours, not a USGS class.
Flow 155 ft³/s: normal for Nov 5, over 59 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey

What the agencies suggest

Keep an eye on your surroundings. Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundings Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 155 ft³/s
Gauge height: 2.39 ft

Reading Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 155 ft³/s at Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST	155	2.39
Nov 5, 9:15 PM EST	143	2.34
Nov 5, 8:15 PM EST	137	2.31
Nov 5, 7:15 PM EST	133	2.29
Nov 5, 6:15 PM EST	128	2.27
Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST	126	2.26
Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST	122	2.24
Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST	120	2.23
Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST	118	2.22
Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST	118	2.22
Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST	114	2.2
Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST	110	2.18
Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST	110	2.18
Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST	107	2.16
Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 10:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 9:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 8:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 7:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 6:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 5:15 AM EST	103	2.14
Nov 3, 4:15 AM EST	105	2.15
Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST	105	2.15
Nov 3, 2:15 AM EST	105	2.15
Nov 3, 1:15 AM EST	105	2.15
Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 11:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 10:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 9:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 8:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 7:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 6:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 5:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 4:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 3:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 2:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST	105	2.15
Nov 2, 12:15 PM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 11:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 10:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 9:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 2, 8:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 2, 7:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 6:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 5:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 4:15 AM EST	107	2.16
Nov 2, 3:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 2, 1:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 2, 12:15 AM EST	108	2.17
Nov 1, 11:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 1, 10:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 1, 9:15 PM EST	108	2.17
Nov 1, 8:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 7:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 6:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 5:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 4:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 2:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 1:15 PM EST	110	2.18
Nov 1, 12:15 PM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 11:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 10:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 9:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 8:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 7:15 AM EST	112	2.19
Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST	114	2.2
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT	114	2.2
Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT	116	2.21
Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT	118	2.22
Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT	120	2.23
Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT	122	2.24
Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT	124	2.25
Oct 29, 11:30 PM EDT	124	2.25

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 68–321 ft³/s (middle half of 59 years of record). Now: 155 ft³/s, normal.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 22 ft³/s, highest 1,430 ft³/s.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

NWS observed 2.39 ft stage, 155 ft³/s at Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST (NWS gauge KITM2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 8 ft
Minor flood: 9 ft
Moderate flood: 12 ft
Major flood: 15 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:59 AM EST. Highest point: 2.2 ft, 114 ft³/s on Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).

NWS forecast, highest value each day
Day	Stage	Flow
Thu, Nov 5	2.2 ft	114 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	2.1 ft	96 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	2.1 ft	96 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	2 ft	78 ft³/s

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Maryland DNR uses are 65°F and 68°F.

Species

This gauge is on our page for North Branch Potomac River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)
Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 43.5%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page