Recreational Fishing

Tidal Potomac River Fishing Guide / Charter Captains Guidelines

These Guidelines Compliments of Potomac River Fisheries Commission

Required Guide/Captain Licenses

To guide or charter fishing parties in the following Bodies of Water You need the licenses indicated U.S Coast Guard DC Boater Safety Certificate PRFC Captians MD Freshwater Guide w/Tidal Exempt, or Captians VA Required Fishing License for your fee paying passengers
Waters of the District of Columbia (including tributaries of the Potomac River) Yes Yes No No No + Each person aboard must have a DC issued fishing license
Main stem of the Potomac River (from DC/MD line to Chesapeake Bay) Yes No Yes No No + PRFC or MD or VA Charter Boat Decal *
VA tributaries above Rt. 301 bridge up to demarcation lines Yes No No No No + PRFC or MD Charter Boat Decal * OR must have a VA freshwater license
MD tributaries above Rt. 301 bridge up to demarcation lines Yes No No Yes No + PRFC or MD or VA Charter Boat Decal *
VA tributaries below Rt. 301 bridge Yes No No No No + PRFC or MD or VA Charter Boat Decal *
MD tributaries below Rt. 301 bridge up to demarcation lines Yes No No Yes Capt. Only No + PRFC or MD or VA Charter Boat Decal *

*This decal (boat license) covers the number of fee paying passengers indicated on the decal. It is issued in the name of the boat owner and only one decal is needed for each boat. It can be issued either by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, by the MD Department of Natural Resources or by the VA Marine Resources Commission.

IN ADDITION to the license requirements listed above you must also comply with all other applicable state and federal regulations appropriate to the classification, size and use of your vessel. If you carry passengers for hire or tips, you are considered a commercial enterprise.

License Contact Information

The Potomac River Fisheries Commission coordinates regulations with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, (DGIF) and with the other Atlantic coastal states through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).