Fishing

Colonial Beach sits along the Potomac River. Here you will find the boundary line between Virginia and Maryland. The regulating commission for all fishing on the tidal main stream of the Potomac between the Chesapeake Bay and Washington DC is The Potomac River Fisheries Commission.

Because Maryland, Virginia, DC and The Chesapeake Bay all have their own regulations it is important to educate yourself on where the lines are drawn so you can ensure you are following the proper rules and have obtained the correct licenses.

The Commission is a bi-state commission between Maryland and Virginia and was established in December 1962. The Potomac River Fisheries Commission held their first meeting January 10, 1963. The commission was created to maintain law and order as well as bring peace and safety to the waters of the Potomac River. After many battles which where dubbed the “Oyster Wars” the two neighboring states determined that these goals could be achieved by a commission comprised of representatives of both Maryland and Virginia.

Soon the two states adopted the Maryland and Virginia Potomac River Compact of 1958 (Compact) which officially created the Potomac River Fisheries Commission and charged it with the establishment and maintenance of a program to conserve and improve the resources of the Potomac River.

If you are fishing from anywhere in Colonial Beach you are considered to be fishing below the 301 Bridge.

If you are fishing in the Potomac River:

Below the 301 Bridge – you are required to have one of the following:

1. Potomac River Fisheries Sport Fishing License, or
2. Virginia Saltwater Recreational License, or
3. Maryland Bay (Tidal) Sport Fishing License.

PRFC

Exceptions

A Potomac River sport fishing license is not required if you:

1. Are less than 16 years of age.
2. Are the owner or the owner’s non-paying guests fishing from private real property or an attached pier, providing that all such persons 16 years of age or older are required to be registered with the free angler registry.
3. Are fishing the day before, the holiday itself, and the day after Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.
4. National Fishing and Boating Week (1st full week of June).
5. Hold a valid individual tidal/saltwater sport fishing license issued by MD or VA.
6. Are fishing from a boat holding a valid license issued by PRFC, MD or VA, providing that all such persons 16 years of age or older are required to be registered with the free angler registry ( http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/service/ or, http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/FIP or call (800)723-2728.

What’s Biting?

Probably the most famous and loved fish to swim in these waters is the Striped Bass, also known as the Rockfish. Heck! Colonial Beach even holds two Rockfish Tournaments.

The Spring 2023 Rockfish Tournament will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023, From 6:00 PM until Saturday, May 6, 2023, 4:00 PM.

The Event is sponsored by Dockside at Colonial Beach Yacht Center, located at 1787 Castlewood Dr,
Colonial Beach. Boats will leave and return from the docks and will bring in their catches to be weighed there.

Nautically Dockside is located at the East side of the Channel connecting Monroe Bay/Monroe Creek to the Potomac River due East of Kettle Bottom Shoals.

The Annual FALL Rockfish Tournament is being held on November 11 & 12 this year (2023) and is sponsored by the Colonial Beach Yacht Center. Participants will register their catches at the same docks.

Large and Small Mouth Bass are also found throughout the area and catfish are a plenty as well.

One not so lovable fish is the Snakehead. An invasive species that was introduced into the Potomac just before the turn of the century in 2000. Despite it’s being considered a menace, it’s described by Marko of “FishingBroker.com” as “an excellent game fish”.

Anglers are encouraged to harvest Snakehead fish once they are caught which means killing them.

Persons wishing to release a live Snakehead may do so provided it is immediate and directly back into the waters from which it came.
For those willing, Maryland and Virginia actively encourage the targeting and harvest of every snakehead caught.

Frequently Asked Questions about Northern Snakehead Fish

Virginia Department Of Wildlife Resources Information On Snakehead Fish

Perch

As a kid I remember fishing for Perch in Monroe Bay. I used to dig in the mud and find a whole bucket full of clams. I’d crack them together and use them for bait. (Not sure if that was legal back then or now)

I would tie four fishing lines to the pilings of a nearby pier and start baiting hooks one at a time. By the time I had the fourth hook baited there was at least one or two on the first lines. About an hour of constant baiting and catching would net us about 30 to 40 good size Perch, which I would scale while my mother expertly cleaned them. I’ve never quite mastered the art or the desire to gut a fish, but I can sure put a hurting on some steamed blue crabs. But hey that’s another topic for another day.

Bait and Tackle

There’s plenty of ways to entice the fish. You got your standard night crawlers, which if you can’t find any in the local convenience stores you are sure to find by turning over a wet log in the dirt.

If you’re looking for blood-worms however those can’t be found in the ground around here, they have to be bought, but most stores will supply them if they have night crawlers.

Another great way to catch fish is using lures. There are a ton of options to choose from and creating your own lures can be a great hobby in and of itself.

Here is great beginners video on using lures to catch fish.

Where Are The Fish Biting?

Now that we’ve talked about what fish are biting, how to catch them legally now it’s time to look at where you can go fishing.

Fishing off the municipal pier is allowed all day.

Fishing off the shoreline in swimming areas is prohibited during the day. However you may fish from 6 am to 10 am and from 6 pm to 10 pm.

Fishing is not allowed from the rock shoreline public easement on Irving Avenue. This includes jetties in the water and retaining rip rap along Irving Ave.

*It’s just best and safest to stay off the rocks all together.

There’s also some good fishing in Monroe Creek and some smaller ponds. Feel free to stop in some of the local watering holes for some good fish stories and a few suggestions for out of the way ponds and creeks.