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Learn to Fish!

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Angler Education

Would you like to go fishing but don’t know where to go or what equipment you need? DOEE's Fisheries & Wildlife staff can help you get started!

Upcoming Fishing Events

  • Fishing 101 class: Saturday, March 1st from 10:00am- 12:00pm. Location: Aquatic Resources Education Center
    Join DOEE staff for an introduction to fishing in the District. There will be a presentation on how to fish, where to fish, when to fish, and what species to target. There will also be a knot tying activity and a practice casting activity. We will not be fishing at this event.

  • Spring Evening Fishing event: Wednesday, April 23rd from 5:00pm- 7:00pm. Location: Tidal Basin
    DOEE staff will be set up at the Tidal Basin with our Mobile First Catch Trailer. All equipment and bait will be provided.

  • Diamond Teague Fishing event: Saturday, May 24th from 9:00am- 12:00pm. Location: Diamond Teague Park
    DOEE biologists will be hosting a Community Fishing Event at Diamond Teague Park on the Anacostia River. DOEE staff will provide all the gear and equipment required to have a successful day of fishing fun!
     
  • Invasive Fishing Tournament: Sunday, June 1st from 8:00am- 3:00pm. Location Aquatic Resources Education Center
    DOEE is partnering with Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to host an invasive species fishing tournament. There will be activities for kids, a fishing demonstration, fish cleaning demonstrations, and tours of the AREC. Prizes will be awarded to the winners at the end of the event. Registration begins at 8am and weigh-in begins at 2pm.
     
  • Diamond Teague Fishing event: Saturday, June 7th from 9:00am- 12:00pm. Location: Diamond Teague Park
    DOEE biologists will be hosting a Community Fishing Event at Diamond Teague Park on the Anacostia River. DOEE staff will provide all the gear and equipment required to have a successful day of fishing fun! This event falls within National Fishing and Boating week, so no fishing license is required.

Mobile First Catch Center

In 2021, DOEE partnered with the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and received a fully stocked, custom wrapped Mobile First Catch Center trailer. RBFF’s generous donation has allowed DOEE biologists to provide numerous public-facing angling education opportunities throughout the District of Columbia In addition to public-facing events, DOEE provides small-scale angling education opportunities to school groups, scout groups, church groups, and more.

Interested in fishing with us? Contact Brady Waters at: [email protected].

Know Before You Go!

In the District of Columbia, anglers ages 16 to 64 need a fishing license. To purchase a license, or to view the District’s Regulated Fishing Activities, please visit Fishing in the District.

Where to Fish

The District is home to several bodies of water that provide fishing opportunities for beginners as well as advanced anglers. There are several parks that provide access to rivers and streams that offer excellent fishing including:

  • C&O Canal - The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal runs 184.5 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland and offers unique fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, common carp, and invasive northern snakeheads. A District of Columbia fishing license is valid on the Canal from approximately 1/3 mile below Lock 5 to the Canal’s terminus with Rock Creek.
  • Fletcher’s Boathouse – Fletcher's Boathouse rents rowboats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards along the upper tidal Potomac River. Anglers flock to Fletcher’s in the springtime to take advantage of the annual shad run. Fletcher’s is also a popular location for anglers targeting invasive blue catfish, with trophy fish available year-round. Check the website or call ahead for fishing reports and boat availability.
  • Tidal Basin – Located downtown, the Tidal Basin is a popular destination for local shore anglers. Despite its urban location, anglers can reasonably expect to encounter a wide variety of fish species. Largemouth bass, invasive blue catfish, invasive northern snakeheads, and common carp are among the most popular target species. Anglers also target crappie, perch, and sunfish throughout the Basin. Please be mindful of posted signage adjacent to the monuments.
  • Hains Point – Located in East Potomac Park, Hains Point is one of the most popular shore fishing locations in the District. Anglers regularly target common carp and invasive blue catfish on both the main river and Washington Channel sides of the Point. Assorted sunfish and perch can be caught along the seawall as well. Please be mindful of posted signage and park hours.
  • Diamond Teague Park - Diamond Teague Park, located in the Navy Yard district, offers dock access to the tidal Anacostia River. Anglers regularly catch invasive blue catfish and common carp off the floating dock. In the springtime, assorted sunfish will bed in the shallows along the shoreline, and crappie will suspend under the dock. Anglers occasionally catch largemouth bass and invasive northern snakeheads off the dock in the spring, summer, and fall. Diamond Teague Park is also home to Anacostia Riverkeeper’s Friday Night Fishing events.
  • Anacostia Park - Anacostia Park, on the east side of the Anacostia River, offers ample shore fishing opportunities for a variety of species, including invasive blue catfish, common carp, largemouth bass, assorted sunfish, and invasive northern snakeheads. The Anacostia Park boat ramp, maintained by the National Park Service, offers free boating access to the tidal Anacostia River. Anacostia Park is also home to DOEE’s Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC). The AREC, located in the north end of the park, features over 40 species of local fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

Additional Resources

This agency receives Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability.

If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any facility, program, or activity, or if you need more information, please write to:
Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW - Washington, D.C. 20240

Contact TTY: 
711
Related Content: 
Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC)
Fishing in the District