What special fishing regulations apply at Kingman + Heritage Islands?

Kingman + Heritage Islands carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override District of Columbia's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass and Northern snakehead. One of them reads: "Two large Anacostia River islands between Benning Road + East Capitol Street Bridge — managed by DOEE + DC Parks & Recreation; shoreline + small-boat tidal-river fishing access; tidal largemouth bass + catfish + perch + snakehead; DC Fishing Licence REQUIRED." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Kingman + Heritage Islands?

Yes. Kingman + Heritage Islands 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 Kingman + Heritage Islands; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide District of Columbia rules.

Do Kingman + Heritage Islands' special rules replace District of Columbia's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. District of Columbia's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Kingman + Heritage Islands 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 Kingman + Heritage Islands?

Largemouth bass and Northern snakehead have a water-body-specific rule on Kingman + Heritage Islands, each linking to its full District of Columbia regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide District of Columbia limits.

2026 regulation year

Kingman + Heritage Islands 2026 — District of Columbia Fishing Regulations

District of Columbia statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Kingman + Heritage Islands carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of District of Columbia's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass, Northern snakehead. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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Watch Kingman + Heritage Islands (DC) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Two large Anacostia River islands between Benning Road + East Capitol Street Bridge — managed by DOEE + DC Parks & Recreation; shoreline + small-boat tidal-river fishing access; tidal largemouth bass + catfish + perch + snakehead; DC Fishing Licence REQUIRED
Source: District of Columbia special-water list

Per-species rules on Kingman + Heritage Islands

Largemouth bass regulations →
12 in min, 5 / day combined; Anacostia mid-river island shoreline + small-boat access
Northern snakehead regulations →
No size or bag limit; live release PROHIBITED; classic DC snakehead venue

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 Kingman + Heritage Islands?: Kingman + Heritage Islands carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override District of Columbia's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass and Northern snakehead. One of them reads: "Two large Anacostia River islands between Benning Road + East Capitol Street Bridge — managed by DOEE + DC Parks & Recreation; shoreline + small-boat tidal-river fishing access; tidal largemouth bass + catfish + perch + snakehead; DC Fishing Licence REQUIRED." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Kingman + Heritage Islands?: Yes. Kingman + Heritage Islands 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 Kingman + Heritage Islands; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide District of Columbia rules.
Do Kingman + Heritage Islands' special rules replace District of Columbia's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. District of Columbia's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Kingman + Heritage Islands 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 Kingman + Heritage Islands?: Largemouth bass and Northern snakehead have a water-body-specific rule on Kingman + Heritage Islands, 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