Washington DC
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, DOEE regulations, and community fishing coverage for Washington, D.C. lakes and rivers.
HEREWashingtonDC is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and DOEE regulations across Washington, D.C.. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
- Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly.
DOEE urges limited consumption of Anacostia and Potomac river fish because PCBs and other contaminants continue to be found in certain species. Do not eat eel, carp, striped bass or largemouth bass.
A DC fishing license is required for anyone 16–64 fishing District waters, even from the Virginia shoreline or National Park lands. Licenses are sold online only.
DOEE urges limited consumption of Anacostia and Potomac river fish because PCBs and other contaminants continue to be found in certain species. Do not eat eel, carp, striped bass or largemouth bass.
A DC fishing license is required for anyone 16–64 fishing District waters, even from the Virginia shoreline or National Park lands. Licenses are sold online only.
DOEE’s fish consumption advisory covers the Potomac and Anacostia and their tributaries, including Rock Creek, within the District.
A DC fishing license is required in Rock Creek Park. Digging for bait in Rock Creek Park is prohibited (19 DCMR 1503.3).
Know a Washington-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotNo D.C. fishing guides listed yet.
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingRequired for any person fishing in District waters, including Rock Creek Park, even when fishing from the Virginia shoreline or National Park lands. Carry a physical or electronic copy on your person while fishing.
Buy a DC Fishing License- Striped bass: Season May 16–Dec. 31, 2026; 1 fish per day, 19 to 24 inches total length (19 DCMR § 1503.1(g) announcement).
- May not be kept: Alewife, American Shad, Blueback Herring, Chain Pickerel, Hickory Shad, Northern Pike, Sturgeon. Prohibited unless a season is posted (striped bass has a posted 2026 season). Coast-wide ASMFC moratorium on American shad, hickory shad, blueback herring and alewife.
- Rod, hook and line only: no more than three lines, no more than two hooks per line.
- Commercial fishing is prohibited in District waters.
- Cast nets, seine nets and snagging are prohibited.
- Taking or possessing any species of sturgeon is prohibited.
- Fish consumption advisory: do not eat eel, carp, striped bass or largemouth bass from the Potomac, the Anacostia or their tributaries (DOEE).
Source: DOEE Regulated Fishing Activities · DOEE Get a Fishing License · Fishing in the District
- Yes, unless you are under 16 or 65 or older. A DC fishing license costs $10 for District residents and $13 for non-residents, is sold online only through DOEE, and is valid from purchase through December 31. Carry a physical or electronic copy while fishing.
- District waters include the Potomac River, the Anacostia River and Rock Creek. A DC fishing license is required anywhere in District waters, including Rock Creek Park, even when fishing from the Virginia shoreline or National Park lands.
- DOEE urges limited consumption. Do not eat eel, carp, striped bass or largemouth bass from the Potomac, the Anacostia or their tributaries. DOEE’s advisory says you may eat up to three servings per month of blue catfish, or one serving per month of species such as channel catfish, smallmouth bass, snakehead, sunfish, white perch or yellow perch.
- Per DOEE: channel catfish 12 in., 3/day; walleye 14 in., 1/day; yellow perch 8 in., 3/day; largemouth and smallmouth bass 12 in. (15 in. March 1 through June 15), 5/day combined; American eel 6 in., 10/day; longnose gar 24 in., 1/day.
- The 2026 striped bass season runs May 16 through December 31, 2026: one fish per day, 19 to 24 inches. Possession of American shad, hickory shad, blueback herring and alewife is prohibited under a coast-wide moratorium.