Articles

Nanjemoy Creek

-by Andy Andrzejewski

Lying approximately 12 miles upriver of the Route 301 Bridge on the Maryland shore is Nanjemoy Creek. Nanjemoy enters the Potomac River bordered by the land masses of Cedar Point Neck on the southern side and Tayloe Neck on the north. This beautiful little tributary used to be frequented only by local southern Marylanders but that is no longer the case. Recent development of grasses and the subsequent increase in bass catches have resulted in this creek being one of the most heavily fished in recent years. At times, the local launch ramp and parking area is so crowded with out of state bass anglers that people must park up to a quarter of a mile away after launching.

Nanjemoy Creek has only one public ramp, Friendship Landing Ramp. You can get to this ramp by traveling west on Route 6 from the town of LaPlata, Maryland. Turn left on Route 425 at Ironside and follow 425 to Friendship Landing Road. Turn left On Friendship Landing Road and stop before you drive into the creek. There presently is no fee for launching.
When approaching from the river, look for the wooden tower at the Blossom Point Naval facility on the south shore, Benny Gray Point is the north point. The mouth of the creek is wide but shallow, five foot deep, but no obstructions exist to imperil boaters.

Just inside of Benny Gray Point is a little creek named Little Creek. You will have to boat over a shallow grass covered flat to enter this very narrow creek, but once inside you will find water up to 9 feet deep. The creek has fallen trees, Wild Celery, Milfoil, Arrow-Arum pads and some remnants of old duck blinds to fish. At times, this creek will produce good bass and at other times it will seem void of fish. Striper, catfish and perch also use this creek in good numbers. The grass flat at the mouth of the creek provides fishing opportunities. In fact I refer to this area as the striper hotel because of the number of stripers I catch here.

On the opposite shore, as you enter the creek, are a number of feeder streams. The first is Kings Branch, then Burgess Creek, Boot Creek and then Hilltop Branch. The area from Kings Branch to Hilltop Branch has become loaded with grass and developed into a prime spawning area in recent years. This is the area where the most intense fishing pressure is centered during the spawn. The lack of concern for the habitat and spawning fish has created some consternation. Boaters churning through these areas, blowing through spawn beds, and grass beds can only be detrimental to future spawns.

Grasses are also cyclical and subject to weather patterns and only time will tell if this area remains stable. When fishing this area, use it, but please, dont abuse it.

Lets start up the creek and discuss some of the opportunities that exist. After you have entered the creek you will notice that it makes a 90 degree turn to the left. This is where some navigation markers are erected. You will want to make a stop at Marker number 5.
This marker is close to the shore with a sharp drop into the channel. A series of small rock piles are located between the marker and the shore, you will want to fish these. If you have a GPS the numbers are N38 26 69 and W77 08 34.

The wooded shoreline just past marker 5 is the area where a BASS tournament was won years ago, you will want to fish it also.
Continuing upstream, past the friendship Landing ramp, is an excellent wooded bank on the right side. Located at N38 27 17, W77 09 47, is the remnants of an old wooden wreck. Some have referred to it as the concrete wreck. I dont know where that name comes from, but fish it.

As you travel upstream, you will see that every outside bend is wooded. Everyone holds bass.
Proceeding upstream, you will enter a left turn which has a visible wood ship hulk on the downstream side on the right. We call this area the Helwig Farm or the Pig farm. Start at the wreck and fish your way around this bend. You will come to a private concrete ramp and a pier just upstream of the ramp. Just above the pier is a submerged wreck. Coordinates are 38 26 19, 77 10 43.

Continuing upstream to the next bend you will see an old car wreck setting at the waters edge on your left. We call this dodge turn. Fish the downed trees along this bank. At the upstream side of the bend there is an obstruction buoy in the water. This buoy makes a wreck which lies perpendicular to the stream. At times it can produce more than a limit of bass. Coordinates are 38 26 02, 77 10 59.

Fifty yards beyond the wreck is another obstruction buoy. It marks what looks like the keel board of a ship which lies in line with the channel. It is not known for giving up numbers of fish but an occasional Lunker is taken here. GPS number are 38 25 92 and 77 10 52.

Depending on the size of your boat, you can fish 1/2 mile or more upstream of the buoys. The creek is abundant with marsh runoffs, duck blinds and drop-offs for the angler to fish. Use heavy line, barnacles are abundant.

As you fish this stream, you will notice a good number of Bald Eagles, Osprey and Blue Herons. In fact, the Nanjemoy is a Great Blue Heron sanctuary with over 1,300 nest reported in the area. It all adds up to making the creek a delightful place to fish.

In our next article we will continue upstream and describe some lesser known creeks and main river areas.