Update on 2023 striped bass season: The 2023 striped bass season begins May 16 and concludes December 31, 2023. Anglers may keep one (1) fish per day, no less than 18 inches and no more than 31 inches in length. For the full set of District of Columbia fishing regulations, visit Regulated Fishing Activities.
Fishing License Fees are as follows:
- Purchase for District resident: $10.00 >>
- Purchase for non-resident: $13.00 >>
Fishing licenses are sold on a calendar year basis and are valid from the date of purchase until December 31 of that year. All sales are final. No refunds are issued.
Notice: Fishing Licenses Sold Online Only.
Effective January 1, 2022,14 Day Fishing Licenses will no longer be sold.
If you are under the age of 16 or age 65 and older, a license is not required to fish in the District.
Fishing License Notification Instructions:
After posting a successful payment. Please lookout for an electronic copy of your fishing license to the identified email address that you've entered in this form. If you haven't received the electronic copy of your license, please check your JUNK/SPAM folder for an email from '[email protected]' with a subject of 'DOEE Customer Acknowledgement Email'. If you've checked your inbox and JUNK/SPAM folder and you can't locate your license, please reach out to DOEE's Headquarters via phone at 202-535-2260.
Scientific Research Permit
- Nonprofit or Public Institution: no charge
- For-Profit Research Organization: $50.00
To obtain a scientific collection permit, contact Rese Cloyd at [email protected].
Licensing Requirements
The Fisheries Management Regulations promulgated on March 27, 1987, under the District's Water Pollution Control Act of 1984 (DC Law 5-188), states the following:
no person except:
(a) persons under sixteen (16) years of age and
(b) persons sixty-five (65) years of age or older,
shall take fish or other aquatic organisms from District waters unless the person is licensed by the Department of Health.
A licensed angler shall maintain possession of the license while angling. A scientific collection permit shall be required for the scientific collection of fish or other aquatic organisms from District waters.
