The Potomac River and the Anacostia River intersect at the heart of our Nation’s Capital and are home to all types and sizes of catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch and much more. However, the District Department Of The Environment (DDOE) has put strict regulations on the types of fish you can eat due to contamination. With a fishing license and an understanding of the DDOE regulations, you too can experience some of the best fishing in America!
Carefree Boat Club DC at Gangplank Marina is located on Washington Channel which runs along Maine Avenue just east of the Tidal Basin. On the south side of Washington Channel is East Potomac Park, a peninsula ending at its eastern tip at Hains Point. The eastern end of Washington Channel meets with the mouth of the Anacostia River, and together they flow into the Potomac. Washington DC is 110 miles up the Potomac River from the Chesapeake Bay.
Striped Bass Season 2015 (From Dc.gov)
May 16, 2015 – Dec. 31, 2015
Anglers may keep:
DDOE encourages little consumption of Anacostia and Potomac River fish as PCBs and other chemicals have been found in certain fish species caught along the rivers and their tibutuaries. Because of this warning, DDOE encourages the general public to follow these guidelines in addition to “catch and release.”
Prohibited Fish (According to DC.gov)
Fish Species | Regulation |
Alewife | Prohibited** |
American Shad | Prohibited** |
Blueback Herring | Prohibited** |
Chain Pickerel | Prohibited** |
Hickory Shad | Prohibited** |
Longnose Gar | Prohibited** |
Northern Pike | Prohibited** |
Sturgeon | Prohibited** |
Striped Bass (Rockfish) | Prohibited** |
There are many species of fish that can be found along these waters that make it a very interesting fishing hole to experienced anglers.
A fisherman wrote of his story catching 4-6 lb fish, 12 – 20 inches long all day long and only 10 minutes from the White House in a blog titled, The Best Fishing Hole In America: Ten Minutes From The White House. The only bad part according to him? The only thing you get to take home is a sore arm.
Top Best Places To Go Fishing In DC*
Additional Resources:
Images and sources: Washington.org, DC.gov, CBSDC*, Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders, Bass Pro
Do you have any other questions about boating without owning or the Carefree Boat Club Washington DC location?
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