Cutthroat Trout in the North Branch Potomac River

Type: Nontidal
Region: Western
Location: North Branch Potomac River

Cutthroat trout fingerlings were recently stocked in the North Branch Potomac River downstream of Jennings Randolph Lake to provide anglers with a unique opportunity to catch a "Grand Slam" of trout in Maryland. A total of 18,000 fingerlings were stocked in the six-mile river stretch between the Barnum and Bloomington. These trout were hatched and raised at the Albert Powell Trout Hatchery. With the help of volunteers Danny Teets and Ken Pavol, we float-stocked about half of the fish in the remote section of the river by raft. The fingerlings were held in aerated coolers and stocked in some of the preferred habitat areas. Cutthroat trout from stockings two years ago are now being caught by anglers. PJ Daley sent me a picture of a beautiful cutthroat caught in the North Branch Potomac River last week.

Pictured are Danny Teets and Ken Pavol as we float stocked the river by raft; the cutthroat trout fingerlings; and the adult cutthroat trout picture sent in by PJ Daley.