I am very new to walleye fishing and they are one of the most challenging fish that I've ever tried to target. I've really had to pay some serious dues in order to get walleye into the boat (especially here in the DC area where they are not as prolific as they are up North.) There are good numbers of walleye in the Potomac up near Harper's Ferry, WV and upstream from there, but I am talking about the tidal Potomac river right here in Washington DC.
I had heard that there were walleye in the tidal Potomac from a few different sources, but I'd never seen a fish or photos (or any proof for that matter.) Nor did anglers seem all too certain about it. When I asked if they had ever caught one the usual reply was "No. But I heard about a guy who did." I had also heard some stuff about walleye staging to spawn in the Chain Bridge area around late January/February. This seemed more promising. I've fished the spot numerous times hitting the eddies like many had advised, but always to no avail. After reading numerous articles/books and absorbing as much info on the subject as I could, I finally landed my first walleye! Right here in Washington DC, and it wasn't at any of the places that they are rumored to be lurking.
I have now been catching walleye for a while. I don't really want to give up my spots or the details (as there aren't a lot of walleye in this part of the river, and I'd like to fish for them for many years to come.) What I will say is that if you do your homework, the fish are here. The fish follow normal walleye patterns, just not common ones.
Anybody else here catch walleye in the tidal Potomac?
