When is largemouth bass season in District of Columbia?

Year-round on DC waters; PRFC tidal Potomac March 1 – June 15 spawning protection (15 in min) + June 16 – Feb (12 in min); DC standalone freshwater + Anacostia under DC standard 12 in min. Those are the 2026 District of Columbia dates; always confirm against District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) — Fisheries and Wildlife Division before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.

What is the District of Columbia bag limit for largemouth bass?

The District of Columbia daily bag limit for largemouth bass is 5 / day combined black bass (largemouth + smallmouth) — DC standard + PRFC harmonized. The possession limit is 10 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size largemouth bass can you keep in District of Columbia?

The District of Columbia size rule for largemouth bass is 12 in min DC freshwater + Anacostia; 15 in min Tidal Potomac March 1 – June 15 (PRFC spawning protection); 12 in min Tidal Potomac June 16 – Feb (PRFC). Trophy rule: Tidal Potomac + Anacostia trophy largemouth 6-8 lb come from the spring spawning bays + summer aquatic-vegetation flats; the Anacostia + Tidal Potomac host Bassmaster Elite + Northern Open events when scheduled to the DC market.

Do you need a license to fish for largemouth bass in District of Columbia?

Yes. District of Columbia requires a valid fishing license to fish for largemouth bass, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a District of Columbia license — compare resident and non-resident District of Columbia fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for largemouth bass in District of Columbia?

Yes. In District of Columbia, largemouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited for black bass; Tournament special-event permit required for DOEE-designated events on the Anacostia + DC waters; DC Fishing Licence required ages 16-64 ($10 res / $13 NR annual; online-only sales since 2022).

Do specific District of Columbia waters have different largemouth bass rules?

Yes. 4 named District of Columbia waters carry rules that override the statewide largemouth bass regulation, including Anacostia River, Tidal Potomac River — DC waters, Kingman + Heritage Islands, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

District of Columbia Largemouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Micropterus nigricans

Last updated June 3, 2026

Largemouth bass is the marquee DC sport fish, anchored by the Tidal Potomac River + Anacostia River + tidal Anacostia tributaries — a remarkable comeback story given that the Potomac was notoriously polluted through the mid-20th century (President Lyndon Johnson called it 'a national disgrace' in 1965) and is now a productive Bassmaster Elite + Northern Open tournament fishery. The Tidal Potomac downstream of Chain Bridge is technically under Maryland Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) primary jurisdiction by the 1632 royal charter — bass rules on the tidal Potomac are PRFC harmonized (15-inch minimum March 1 – June 15 protecting the spawn + 12-inch minimum the rest of the year, with a 5-fish-per-day combined-black-bass aggregate). The Anacostia River is fully DC DOEE jurisdiction with the 12-inch DC standard minimum + 5-per-day rule. Both rivers host the spring + summer tournament-quality largemouth fishery, with Hains Point + the Anacostia Boat Club + Buzzards Point + the Kingman Lake + the Anacostia Watershed Society's restored marsh habitats producing the largest fish. Confirm current PRFC + DOEE notices — bass rules on the tidal Potomac are reset by PRFC annually.

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Season

Year-round on DC waters; PRFC tidal Potomac March 1 – June 15 spawning protection (15 in min) + June 16 – Feb (12 in min); DC standalone freshwater + Anacostia under DC standard 12 in min.

Jan 1 – Dec 31Anacostia River + DC freshwater + Rock Creek + C&O Canal
Open year-round under DC standard rule
Mar 1 – Jun 15Tidal Potomac (PRFC jurisdiction)
15 in min spawning-protection minimum under PRFC harmonized rule
Jun 16 – Dec 31Tidal Potomac (PRFC jurisdiction)
12 in min standard PRFC rule

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 5 / day combined black bass (largemouth + smallmouth) — DC standard + PRFC harmonized
Possession: 10 in possession

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 12 in min DC freshwater + Anacostia; 15 in min Tidal Potomac March 1 – June 15 (PRFC spawning protection); 12 in min Tidal Potomac June 16 – Feb (PRFC)
Trophy rule: Tidal Potomac + Anacostia trophy largemouth 6-8 lb come from the spring spawning bays + summer aquatic-vegetation flats; the Anacostia + Tidal Potomac host Bassmaster Elite + Northern Open events when scheduled to the DC market

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited for black bass
Tournament special-event permit required for DOEE-designated events on the Anacostia + DC waters
DC Fishing Licence required ages 16-64 ($10 res / $13 NR annual; online-only sales since 2022)

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific District of Columbia waters:

Anacostia River
12 in min, 5 / day combined; DC DOEE jurisdiction; Bassmaster Elite + Northern Open tournament-quality fishery
Tidal Potomac River — DC waters
15 in min March 1 – June 15 (PRFC spawning protection); 12 in min June 16 – Feb; 5 / day combined
Kingman + Heritage Islands
12 in min, 5 / day combined; Anacostia mid-river island shoreline + small-boat access
C&O Canal — Georgetown + Glover-Archbold sections
12 in min, 5 / day combined; smaller-scale canal-pond bass fishery

Official source

District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) — Fisheries and Wildlife Division publishes the authoritative 2026 District of Columbiafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

Visit official District of Columbia fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Largemouth bass closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment's emergency-order feed — check it before any District of Columbia trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is largemouth bass season in District of Columbia?: Year-round on DC waters; PRFC tidal Potomac March 1 – June 15 spawning protection (15 in min) + June 16 – Feb (12 in min); DC standalone freshwater + Anacostia under DC standard 12 in min. Those are the 2026 District of Columbia dates; always confirm against District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) — Fisheries and Wildlife Division before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the District of Columbia bag limit for largemouth bass?: The District of Columbia daily bag limit for largemouth bass is 5 / day combined black bass (largemouth + smallmouth) — DC standard + PRFC harmonized. The possession limit is 10 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size largemouth bass can you keep in District of Columbia?: The District of Columbia size rule for largemouth bass is 12 in min DC freshwater + Anacostia; 15 in min Tidal Potomac March 1 – June 15 (PRFC spawning protection); 12 in min Tidal Potomac June 16 – Feb (PRFC). Trophy rule: Tidal Potomac + Anacostia trophy largemouth 6-8 lb come from the spring spawning bays + summer aquatic-vegetation flats; the Anacostia + Tidal Potomac host Bassmaster Elite + Northern Open events when scheduled to the DC market.
Do you need a license to fish for largemouth bass in District of Columbia?: Yes. District of Columbia requires a valid fishing license to fish for largemouth bass, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a District of Columbia license — compare resident and non-resident District of Columbia fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for largemouth bass in District of Columbia?: Yes. In District of Columbia, largemouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited for black bass; Tournament special-event permit required for DOEE-designated events on the Anacostia + DC waters; DC Fishing Licence required ages 16-64 ($10 res / $13 NR annual; online-only sales since 2022).
Do specific District of Columbia waters have different largemouth bass rules?: Yes. 4 named District of Columbia waters carry rules that override the statewide largemouth bass regulation, including Anacostia River, Tidal Potomac River — DC waters, Kingman + Heritage Islands, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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