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Regulations Book

Commission Orders and Policies

Fin Fish Advisory Committee

Oyster / Clam Advisory Committee

Blue Crab Advisory Committee

CALENDAR

May 29:

PRFC Offices Closed for Memorial Day


May 31:

BCAC Meeting @ 6 pm


June 1:

OMR Review Panel


June 8:

Quarterly Commission Meeting


Contact Information
 Physical Address: 222 Taylor Street
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9
Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Office: (804) 224-7148
After Hours: (804) 214-6616

Fax: (804) 224-2712
E-mail: contactprfc@gmail.com
Hours: 8:30 am -- 4:30pm Monday - Friday

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NEWS

  • IMPORTANT NOTICE: ASMFC Mandate to Establish 31” Maximum Size Limit

    The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board met on May 2, 2023 and approved an emergency action to implement a 31” maximum size to all existing recreational fishery regulations where a higher (or no) maximum size applies. All other recreational size limits, possession limits, seasons, gear restrictions, and spawning protections remain in place.

    The Potomac River Fisheries Commission revised Order #2023-01 Recreational and Charter Fisheries Striped Bass Seasons to be compliant with this mandate and created a slot limit of 20.0 – 31.0 inches TL during the Summer/Fall season (May 16 thru July 6, 2023 and Aug. 21 thru Dec. 31, 2023).


  • To All Gill Net, Pound Net, and Fyke Net Licensees:
    At this time, we are requesting that all individuals that need to move a current fixed net location, or obtain a new fixed net location, first make an appointment. This appointment request applies to gill nets, fyke nets, or pound nets only. If you walk-in, there may not be a staff member available to complete this transaction. Please call our office at (804) 224-7148, during business hours, M-F, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  • Effective 11.1.2022, ALL commercial striped bass tags must be picked up in our office during normal business hours. If you are unable to pick up your striped bass tags yourself, you are required to complete the Designee Form and have your designee bring it with them. We will not accept phone calls to verify permission to pick up striped bass tags. Due to raising postage costs, the option to mail striped bass tags is no longer available.

  • PRFC Finfish Advisory Committee Vacancy for a Lower River Recreational Maryland fisherman. If you, or someone you know, who would be interested in filling this vacancy, please complete the nomination form and submit it via mail, email (contactprfc@gmail.com), or dropping it off in person at the Commission office. This position is a four year term and will remain vacant until filled.

  • You may have noticed that we added a new feature to our website. The PRFC Chat box is now available for you to use during normal PRFC business hours. Designated staff will respond to your chat request as soon as we see it. If we are not available to receive a chat message, or if received over the weekend or on a holiday, please leave your email, inquiry, and phone number if desired, and we will get back to you shortly.

  • A new GIS based map highlighting oyster bars and artificial reefs in the Potomac is now available at: https://arcg.is/0aLfff

PRFC History
and Mission Statement

fishing at sunset

The states of Maryland and Virginia are both vitally interested in conserving and improving the valuable fishery resources of the tidewater portion of the Potomac River, maintaining law and order and peace and safety on the river, and recognizing that certain provisions of the Maryland-Virginia Compact of 1785 had become obsolete, agreed in 1958 that such conservation and improvement could be best achieved by a commission comprised of representatives of both Maryland and Virginia. Read more

 

PRFC Fin Fish Harvest Report