What special fishing regulations apply at East Potomac Park / Hains Point?

East Potomac Park / Hains Point carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override District of Columbia's statewide 2026 rules, covering Striped bass (rockfish). One of them reads: "Southwestern tip of the Potomac peninsula between Tidal Basin + Washington Channel + Potomac mainstem; THE classic DC shoreline fishing destination — striped bass spring run + summer bass + channel + blue catfish + yellow + white perch + occasional gar; striped bass run the harmonized DC DOEE / PRFC 19–24 in Chesapeake slot + 1 / day; channel catfish 12 in / 3 day + yellow perch 8 in / 3 day (DC DOEE); DC Fishing Licence REQUIRED (a PRFC licence is not valid in DC waters)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish East Potomac Park / Hains Point?

Yes. East Potomac Park / Hains Point is in District of Columbia, so a valid District of Columbia fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) — Fisheries and Wildlife Division. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Hains Point; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide District of Columbia rules.

Do East Potomac Park / Hains Point's special rules replace District of Columbia's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. District of Columbia's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Hains Point by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Hains Point?

Striped bass (rockfish) has a water-body-specific rule on East Potomac Park / Hains Point, each linking to its full District of Columbia regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide District of Columbia limits.

2026 regulation year

East Potomac Park / Hains Point 2026 — District of Columbia Fishing Regulations

District of Columbia statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

East Potomac Park / Hains Point carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of District of Columbia's 2026 fishing rules — covering Striped bass (rockfish). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch East Potomac Park / Hains Point (DC) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Southwestern tip of the Potomac peninsula between Tidal Basin + Washington Channel + Potomac mainstem; THE classic DC shoreline fishing destination — striped bass spring run + summer bass + channel + blue catfish + yellow + white perch + occasional gar; striped bass run the harmonized DC DOEE / PRFC 19–24 in Chesapeake slot + 1 / day; channel catfish 12 in / 3 day + yellow perch 8 in / 3 day (DC DOEE); DC Fishing Licence REQUIRED (a PRFC licence is not valid in DC waters)
Source: District of Columbia special-water list

Per-species rules on East Potomac Park / Hains Point

Striped bass (rockfish) regulations →
19–24 in slot, 1 / day; classic DC shoreline striped bass destination — spring + fall runs

Official source

District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) — Fisheries and Wildlife Division publishes the authoritative 2026 District of Columbia fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official District of Columbia fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven 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.

Other special-regulation waters in District of Columbia

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at East Potomac Park / Hains Point?: East Potomac Park / Hains Point carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override District of Columbia's statewide 2026 rules, covering Striped bass (rockfish). One of them reads: "Southwestern tip of the Potomac peninsula between Tidal Basin + Washington Channel + Potomac mainstem; THE classic DC shoreline fishing destination — striped bass spring run + summer bass + channel + blue catfish + yellow + white perch + occasional gar; striped bass run the harmonized DC DOEE / PRFC 19–24 in Chesapeake slot + 1 / day; channel catfish 12 in / 3 day + yellow perch 8 in / 3 day (DC DOEE); DC Fishing Licence REQUIRED (a PRFC licence is not valid in DC waters)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish East Potomac Park / Hains Point?: Yes. East Potomac Park / Hains Point is in District of Columbia, so a valid District of Columbia fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) — Fisheries and Wildlife Division. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Hains Point; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide District of Columbia rules.
Do East Potomac Park / Hains Point's special rules replace District of Columbia's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. District of Columbia's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Hains Point by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Hains Point?: Striped bass (rockfish) has a water-body-specific rule on East Potomac Park / Hains Point, each linking to its full District of Columbia regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide District of Columbia limits.

← Back to District of Columbia regulations overview