The Potomac River Fisheries Commission

Recreational Crabbing in the Tidal Potomac River

You may recreationally crab in the tidal Potomac River from the Woodrow Wilson bridge down to the mouth of the river between April 1 and November 30. All individuals wishing to recreationally crab must have a license to do so. The cost of the license is $30 per individual and allows up to 5 crab pots. These licenses can be purchased in person at the PRFC office, by mail, or at a participating licensed agent.

2026/2027 PRFC Oyster Licenses

The PRFC will begin accepting oyster licenses for the 26/27 oyster season on Monday, September 28, 2026. If you had an oyster license last season, the preprinted renewal application will be mailed on Thursday, September 24, 2026. There are no changes to the oyster licensing fees from last year. Bushels tags can still be purchased as bulk tags or individual tags. Bulk and individual tags are the same price of $25 for 50 tags. If you are a COMPANY that wishes to purchase an oyster registered buyer license, please call the office before purchasing your license as additional company related information may be required prior to issuing. Use the links attached for a blank oyster application. Oyster season Orders for the seasons and limits will be posted as soon as they become available. As a quick reference, hand tong season opens as normal on October 1, 2026. Hand scrape rotational Area 8 will open on October 1, 2026. Hand scrape rotational Areas 2, 3 & 7 will open as normal on November 1, 2026. See "oyster and clam grounds in the Potomac River" under the maps for the bar names in each Area.

PRFC Finfish Landings Report

PUBLICE HEARING NOTICE
Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

Pursuant to the Potomac River Compact of 1958, as duly enacted into law by the General Assemblies of the States of Maryland and Virginia and duly ratified by the Congress of the United States of America, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission hereby proposes to amend and/or adopt regulations as follows. Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing will be held by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission on adoption of the foregoing proposed regulations or amendments to the regulations of the Commission on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. in the John Thomas Parran Hearing Room of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission Building, 222 Taylor Street, Colonial Beach, Virginia.