Re: Mattawoman Creek

[Matt Wuerker]

I've put my canoe in there a number of times in search of snakeheads.  Alas I've still haven't landed any but I love the habitat.  I have seen others pull some nice ones out of the lily pads.

You can launch from the Mattingly Park in Indian Head but there's also a spot up at the head where the creek first opens up that gets you right into the narrower water.  Gotta watch out for the low tide though or you'll find you'll be walking a bit of it.  Mason Springs Conservancy-

- https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mason+Springs+Conservancy+Kayak+Launch/@38.5859177,-77.1325106,15.24z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b7016ec349458d:0xb09e562c0d064ec4!8m2!3d38.5893716!4d-77.1187288 

On Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 10:07:22 PM UTC-4, Nick wrote:

Took the canoe out on Mattawoman today with the wife and kids.  Though I had a couple of rods, given the family paddling dynamic and the brutal wind, fishing was more aspirational than productive. Lots of guys on bass boats out but didn’t see much catching going on. Curious if anyone on the forum fishes this part of the Potomac at all and Finds it to be worth the drive. Some incredible habitat to be sure.

[Jamie Carracher]

I love Mattawoman. I fish it from an inflatable SUP and even if you don’t catch anything it’s an awesome experience. Feels like you are somewhere far away. The one challenge are the bass boats that bomb the edges of the pads with top water lures. They really put the pressure on. I’ve had good luck with bass and snakehead there by getting into positions where the motorized boats can’t go. Lots of water to explore thankfully.

[Nick]

Encouraging reports. Sounds like it’s worth getting back down there on a quieter/less windy day. Agree the SUP May be a good way to get away from the tournament crowd.

[Andrew Sarcinello]

Nick - not trying to get on a high horse with this comment as I've expressed my displeasure with DNRs stance on things in another thread, but if I am understanding things correctly this outing was against the current covid rules in MD. Just be careful out there. I have heard reports that max fines are being issued.

[Tom Moran]

Mattawoman is probably THE major fish factory on the Potomac, if you are considering largemouth or snakeheads.  Matt is correct in giving you the two primary launch points for anyone with a cartop boat, with the Mason Springs Conservancy property being the best choice (though lots of poison ivy around).  As you paddle downstream and the creek begins to emerge from the forest, any wood you find in the water may hold bass.  And there are even a handful of gravel/sand bars that you can pull up on on and stretch your legs, and cast while standing.  

The creek has vast acreage of shallow, vegetated flats that support largemouth spawning, far more than other creeks in the Potomac.  As if that wasn't good enough, Smallwood State Park hosts dozens of bass tournaments a year, some of them national in scope (B.A.S.S.) drawing hundreds of competitors.  Unless they've changed practices, all the fish caught in DC, Md and Va from Fletchers to the Port Tobacco River are released at the ramps in Mattawoman.  Once upon a time the fishing here was good but no better than say Mallows Bay, Piscataway, or Nanjemoy Creeks.  That is no longer true, it is much better.  All these fish and prime shallows seem to do good things for the snakeheads too.

Early in the season you can take your small craft up into these vast bays, were emergent vegetation has yet to reach the surface, and see & catch fish.  Once the grass is up to the surface it's not really practical to get in those areas.   However - look at say Google Map satellite view - there is a landmark called Nelson Point not too far downstream from the conservancy property (upstream from the Indian Head park put-in) and you'll see to the NNW a large creek that eventually forks as it approaches a distant wooded shoreline.  As the vegetation clogs shallow areas towards late spring and summer, this creek is deep enough in the center that you can get quite a distance up in it.  In many places WAY up there, it remains 5-8 ft deep in the channel which remains free of grass.  This creek is stuffed with fish, but they are very hard to get to because of the grass.  You can throw topwater bugs until it becomes too choked, or afterward you can selectively drop a heavy, large weighted streamer into the channel gap and let it sink to bottom.  There are a LOT of bass down by the bottom along the channel.

Snakeheads are particularly attracted to topwater baits.  If you were not partial to fly fishing you would throw a Senko in the grass gap and hold onto your rod as it sinks to bottom.  Another summer feature - as the vegetation is so thick, the water is filtered and can be very clear back there - peering down you will see bass nosing around every few feet.  These don't tend to be little nubs either, solid 1.5 - 4 lb bass are typical.

One comment on Piscataway - there is a shoreline fishing access at Farmington Landing where you can launch a cartop boat from amongst the catfishermen.  Turn right, head up the right fork of the back of the creek - this is not as nice as Mattawoman but it is closer to DC - the bay you cross to get to the back of the creek is shallow so most bass boats don't go there unless the tide is up.  But there's quite a bit of spadderdock and SAV back there too, and plenty of bass along with white and yellow perch in season, all the way back until you can't go any further.  One negative - there is a sewage treatment plant back there - it's not supposed to be releasing into Piscataway, but you take your chances.   I have had some great days back there.

Farmington Landing

https://goo.gl/maps/oX1UxxFjH9ZmRAMbA

[Dave Stephenson]

This is one of the most useful and informative threads, and Tom’s post particularly, I have found in years.  Not that all the exchanges aren’t great.  Thanks everybody!

Dave

[Nick]

Great intel! Thanks. Itching to get back there.

[Andrew Sarcinello]

Makes sense - yeah, targeting snakeheads is definitely fair game right now

[Collin Tatusko]

Anyone ever go in there with a belly boat?  

Cheers

Collin