Washington DC/ DMV

[h2befjon]

Greetings!

 

I'm a new member recently moved from Boston, MA to washington D.C. and I'm looking to gather information on lakes/pond in D.C, Maryland, and Virginia that I could fish Smallmouth/Largemouth bass from the shore and is too far from D.C. I'm also looking for convenient bait shops near me or fishing spots. Any places y'all can point me to would be greatly appreciated, I plan to go fishing fishing tomorrow or at least explore some of the surrounding area. 

[SneakyPete]

Welcome, make sure you go online and get your license. Fletcher's Boathouse and Chain Bridge should be close to you.

 

[h2befjon]

Do I need a license for both states? is there such thing as a DMV master license? lol

[PECo]

16 hours ago, h2befjon said:

Do I need a license for both states? is there such thing as a DMV master license? lol

 

Yes, you'll probably need a license from both states. You have to be very aware of the jurisdiction in which you're fishing when you're on the Potomac River. While Virginia and Maryland share jusrisdiction in the main, tidal stem of the Potomac, each has its own, separate jurisdiction in many spots along the river. Here's a good place to start learning about it:

 

http://prfc.us/fishing_potomac.html

 

And D.C. has its own jurisdiction, too! 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Definitely need one for VA.

[fishwizzard]

Do you have or have access to a car?  Lots of spots around here, but not such great public transport.  

 

Sadly it seems the C&O canal is going to be dry in DC all year for some work, but the northern parts are a great largemouth fishery when the water is up.  

[Falkus]

Please do share what is the northern parts you speaking of ? 

[SneakyPete]

1 hour ago, Burke said:

Please do share what is the northern parts you speaking of ? 

I thought there were more smallmouth in the upper Potomac?

[BrianinMD]

Upper Potomac is smallmouth area. 

 

Upper reaches of the canal has good largemouth.

[fishwizzard]

21 hours ago, Burke said:

Please do share what is the northern parts you speaking of ? 

 

Look up the area called "Widewater", then slowly follow the canal up north until the water disappears.   The whole thing is a pretty amazing fishery, so long as the water is high. Widewater will always have water in it, but, to me anyway, it's one of the hardest spots to fish. 

 

There are other watered sections as you head up north to Cumberland, but I'm not as familiar with them.  I took a great little weekend trip at the end of last summer up to Cumberland to buy a rod from a guy on here. I fished the canal all day on the way up and the river all day on the way back. It was an absolute ton of fun I can't wait for the canal water to get high enough for me to do it again.  

[SeeNoSun]

On 3/26/2017 at 8:21 PM, Bunnielab said:

 

Look up the area called "Widewater", then slowly follow the canal up north until the water disappears.   The whole thing is a pretty amazing fishery, so long as the water is high. Widewater will always have water in it, but, to me anyway, it's one of the hardest spots to fish. 

 

There are other watered sections as you head up north to Cumberland, but I'm not as familiar with them.  I took a great little weekend trip at the end of last summer up to Cumberland to buy a rod from a guy on here. I fished the canal all day on the way up and the river all day on the way back. It was an absolute ton of fun I can't wait for the canal water to get high enough for me to do it again.  

 

I found this info on the C&O Canal from the National Park Service web site:

(https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/boating.htm)

 

Several short and widely separated sections of the canal have been rewatered and offer boating opportunities. Boats need to be carried around lift locks. Listed below are the watered sections of the canal.

Mile 0 to 22 Georgetown to Violettes Lock
Mile 99.3 to 99.8 Williamsport to Lock 44
Mile 112 to 113 Big Pool
Mile 120 to 121 Little Pool
Mile 124.1 to 124.7 Hancock
Mile 162 to 167 Oldtown to Town Creek

 

Access points and more info to plan a visit to the C&O Canal at the following links:

http://www.candocanal.org/access.html

https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/park_planner_2014final2.pdf

 

[h2befjon]

On 3/25/2017 at 4:21 PM, PECo said:

 

Yes, you'll probably need a license from both states. You have to be very aware of the jurisdiction in which you're fishing when you're on the Potomac River. While Virginia and Maryland share jusrisdiction in the main, tidal stem of the Potomac, each has its own, separate jurisdiction in many spots along the river. Here's a good place to start learning about it:

 

http://prfc.us/fishing_potomac.html

 

And D.C. has its own jurisdiction, too! 

 

Thank you! I already went and got my VA and MD license I don't know where in DC do I go for theirs.

On 3/25/2017 at 5:43 PM, Darren. said:

Welcome aboard!

 

Definitely need one for VA.

thank you!

On 3/25/2017 at 9:07 PM, Bunnielab said:

Do you have or have access to a car?  Lots of spots around here, but not such great public transport.  

 

Sadly it seems the C&O canal is going to be dry in DC all year for some work, but the northern parts are a great largemouth fishery when the water is up.  

Yes I have a car, and I'm willing to travel out to hit some lakes and ponds but just not too far traffic in the DMV is hell, lol.

 

[BrianinMD]

easiest thing to do for DC license is online

 

https://doee.dc.gov/service/get-fishing-license