What special fishing regulations apply at Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge?

Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override District of Columbia's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Walleye. One of them reads: "Small DC-jurisdiction fall-line segment upstream of Chain Bridge to the Maryland line at Little Falls, anchored by Fletcher's Cove (Fletcher's Boathouse, NPS concession just above Georgetown); the March – April fall-line spring run stacks walleye (14 in / 1 day, DC DOEE) + hickory shad (C&R, moratorium) + striped bass + white perch below Little Falls; year-round smallmouth bass + channel catfish; DC Fishing Licence REQUIRED; MD non-tidal regulations apply on the MD bank." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge?

Yes. Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge 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 Non-tidal Potomac; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide District of Columbia rules.

Do Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge's special rules replace District of Columbia's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. District of Columbia's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Non-tidal Potomac 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 Non-tidal Potomac?

Smallmouth bass and Walleye have a water-body-specific rule on Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge, each linking to its full District of Columbia regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide District of Columbia limits.

2026 regulation year

Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge 2026 — District of Columbia Fishing Regulations

District of Columbia statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of District of Columbia's 2026 fishing rules — covering Smallmouth bass, Walleye. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge (DC) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Small DC-jurisdiction fall-line segment upstream of Chain Bridge to the Maryland line at Little Falls, anchored by Fletcher's Cove (Fletcher's Boathouse, NPS concession just above Georgetown); the March – April fall-line spring run stacks walleye (14 in / 1 day, DC DOEE) + hickory shad (C&R, moratorium) + striped bass + white perch below Little Falls; year-round smallmouth bass + channel catfish; DC Fishing Licence REQUIRED; MD non-tidal regulations apply on the MD bank
Source: District of Columbia special-water list

Per-species rules on Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge

Smallmouth bass regulations →
12 in min, 5 / day combined; DC fall-line + non-tidal pool tier
Walleye regulations →
14 in min, 1 / day (DC DOEE); the DC fall-line spring-run segment — Fletcher's Cove + below Little Falls

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 Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge?: Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override District of Columbia's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Walleye. One of them reads: "Small DC-jurisdiction fall-line segment upstream of Chain Bridge to the Maryland line at Little Falls, anchored by Fletcher's Cove (Fletcher's Boathouse, NPS concession just above Georgetown); the March – April fall-line spring run stacks walleye (14 in / 1 day, DC DOEE) + hickory shad (C&R, moratorium) + striped bass + white perch below Little Falls; year-round smallmouth bass + channel catfish; DC Fishing Licence REQUIRED; MD non-tidal regulations apply on the MD bank." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge?: Yes. Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge 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 Non-tidal Potomac; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide District of Columbia rules.
Do Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge's special rules replace District of Columbia's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. District of Columbia's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Non-tidal Potomac 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 Non-tidal Potomac?: Smallmouth bass and Walleye have a water-body-specific rule on Potomac River — upstream of Chain Bridge, 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