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Fishing regulations at Tidal Basin, DC
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in Washington, D.C. can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Regulations for top species
Largemouth bass
Bag limit5
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
Min size15
No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.
Aggregate limit5
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
Special gear
DC Angling Methods
Fishing or taking fish or other aquatic organisms for commercial purposes is prohibited.Except as otherwise permitted by these rules, a person shall fish only with rod, hook, and line, not to exceed three lines in number and not having more than two hooks to each line. Artificial lures or plugs with multiple or gang hooks are considered one unit.The use of dip nets is prohibited, except that dip nets may be used for the capture of baitfish, gizzard shad, blueback herring, alewife, and in the landing of fish taken by angling, provided that the net does not exceed twenty-four inches (24") in diameter or nine square feet (9') in overall area. The use of dip nets in Rock Creek Park is prohibited under all circumstances.The use of seine nets and cast nets is prohibited.Snagging is prohibited, except for the capture of blueback herring, alewife, gizzard shad, and menhaden.A person may operate eel traps provided the number of traps does not exceed five. An eel trap operator must attach the operator's angling license number to each trap and must check each trap daily.
Restrictions & requirements
DC Circle Hook
A non-offset circle hook will be required regardless of the targeted species when recreationally fishing with bait of any kind (e.g., fish, worms, shrimp, chicken livers, corn, dough balls) and using a hook size of number two (#2) or greater.
Keep-Whole
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.
Additional information
Edibility
Synonyms
Channel catfish
Bag limit3
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
Min size12" (Total Length)
No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.
Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.
Special gear
DC Angling Methods
Fishing or taking fish or other aquatic organisms for commercial purposes is prohibited.Except as otherwise permitted by these rules, a person shall fish only with rod, hook, and line, not to exceed three lines in number and not having more than two hooks to each line. Artificial lures or plugs with multiple or gang hooks are considered one unit.The use of dip nets is prohibited, except that dip nets may be used for the capture of baitfish, gizzard shad, blueback herring, alewife, and in the landing of fish taken by angling, provided that the net does not exceed twenty-four inches (24") in diameter or nine square feet (9') in overall area. The use of dip nets in Rock Creek Park is prohibited under all circumstances.The use of seine nets and cast nets is prohibited.Snagging is prohibited, except for the capture of blueback herring, alewife, gizzard shad, and menhaden.A person may operate eel traps provided the number of traps does not exceed five. An eel trap operator must attach the operator's angling license number to each trap and must check each trap daily.
Restrictions & requirements
DC Circle Hook
A non-offset circle hook will be required regardless of the targeted species when recreationally fishing with bait of any kind (e.g., fish, worms, shrimp, chicken livers, corn, dough balls) and using a hook size of number two (#2) or greater.
Keep-Whole
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.
Edibility
Synonyms
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