Occaquan 2026

[peter odell]

Due to the crazy repricing of the rowboats at fletchers and traffic, I've been fishing the occaquan from my kayak last couple of years.  its been very good generally.

I'm curious about this year with the Potomac issues, Occaquan a clean watershed but the fish still have to get there.

Anyone out there an expert on the river?

Do the stripers show up sooner, during or after the shad? (I've hit several schools late in the season, but may be missing something).

Do the fish get down there earlier since its several miles closer to the eventual ocean?

Any thoughts appreciated.  I try to go mid week at sunrise if anyone looking for someone to paddle with. 

[Brian Cohen]

Peter, I am a frequent angler on the Potomac and have probably made about 25 outings to the Occoquan.   The shad show up a few days to a week before they hit us up in DC, but there is not a huge difference.   You can get numbers on Occoquan, but in general they are smaller fish, all Hickory Shad, no Americans that I have ever seen.  My experience is that there are Stripers around, (also smaller than Potomac stripers) but there is not a "run" like there is in the mainstem of the Potomac.   The Occoquan is a fine place to go for an outing, but it is not as "majestic" (for lack of a better word) than the Potomac.  it is smaller, more developed, and does not feel as much like you are in a natural environment that has been relatively unchanged for thousands of years (the way I feel on the Potomac).

All that said, I'd be up for an outing!

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