2017 POTOMAC RIVER FISHERIES COMMISSION
SPORT FISHING IN THE TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER
LEGAL SIZES, LIMITS AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS
PDF link to official PRFC published document
Striped Bass (Rockfish) Spring Season
Season Open: April 15 through May 15
Open Area: Below Harry W. Nice Bridge (Rt. 301)
Minimum Size Limit: 35”
Possession Limit: 1 per person/day (inc. charter capt.)
Bait Restrictions: No live eel. No more than 2 hooks
Special Restriction: When Fishing for Striped Bass During the Closed Season – Barbless Hooks are Required
Striped Bass (Rockfish) Summer/Fall Season
Season Open: May 16 through December 31
Open Area: Below Woodrow Wilson Bridge (I-95)
Minimum Size Limit: 20” with only 1 over 28”
Possession Limit: 2 per person/day
Bait Restrictions: No more than 2 hooks
Special Restriction: When Fishing for Striped Bass During the Closed Season – Barbless Hooks are Required
Black Bass (Largemouth Bass)
Season: 15” March 1 – June 15
Minimum Size Limit: 12” all other times
Possession Limit: 5 per person
Pike (Chain Pickerel)
Minimum Size Limit: 14”
No Possession Limit
Black Drum
Minimum Size Limit: 16”
Possession Limit: 1 per person
Red Drum (Puppy Drum)
Minimum Size Limit: 18”
Maximum Size Limit: 25”
Possession Limit: 5 per person
Black Sea Bass
Season: TBA
Minimum Size Limit: TBA(1)
Possession Limit: TBA
(1) Tail filament is not incl. in total length of the fish
Spanish Mackerel
Minimum Size Limit: 14”
Possession Limit: 15 per person
Bluefish (Taylor)
Minimum Size Limit: 8”
Possession Limit: 10 per person
Spotted Sea Trout
Minimum Size Limit: 14”
Possession Limit: 10 per person
Catfish – Bullhead
Minimum Size Limit: 6”
No Possession Limit
Summer Flounder
Minimum Size Limit: TBA
Possession Limit: TBA
Crappie
No Minimum Size Limit
Possession Limit: 10 per person
Tautog
Minimum Size Limit: 14”
No Possession Limit
Croaker (Hardhead)
Minimum Size Limit: 9”
Possession Limit: 25 per person
Weakfish (Sea Trout)
Minimum Size Limit: 12”
Possession Limit: 1 per person
Eel
Minimum Size Limit: 9”
Possession Limit: 25 per person
Yellow Perch
Minimum Size Limit: 9”
Possession Limit: 10 per person
Catfish – Blue
Season: Year Round Blue catfish are likely causing detrimental impacts throughout
Minimum Size Limit: None their expanding range, potentially creating unbalanced
Possession Limit: Unlimited ecosystems.
Snakehead
No Minimum Size Limit It shall be unlawful to possess a live snakehead fish or to
No Possession Limit return, release, or otherwise discard any living snakehead fish
to the Potomac River.
Shad – American
Season Closed – Moratorium
Sturgeon
Season Closed – Moratorium
Shad – Hickory
Season Closed – Moratorium
River Herring (Blueback, Alewife)
Season Closed – Moratorium