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These Guidelines Compliments of
Potomac River Fisheries Commission

Tidal Potomac River

Fishing Guide / Charter Captains Guidelines

	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 Captains	MD Fresh water guide w/ tidal exempt, or Captains	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	I N   A D D I T I O N    T O	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 Each person aboard 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
MD tributaries below Rt. 301 bridge up to demarcation lines	Yes	No	No	Yes Capt. Only	No

☼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 US Coast Guard:                                    http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/cb-capt.htm Potomac River Fisheries Commission       http://www.prfc.state.va.us/                                                              804-224-7148 or 800-266-3904 MD Dept of Natural Resources:                http://www.dnr.state.md.us/sw_index_flash.asp                                                              410-260-8367 VA Marine Resources Comm.:                  http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/                                                               757-247-2200 VA Game & Inland Fisheries:                    http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/                                                               804-367-1000 DC Fisheries:                                          http://doh.dc.gov/doh/cwp/view,a,1374,Q,584468,dohNav_GID,1810,.asp                                                               fishing 202-535-2260 boating 202-727-4582   Rev. 9/10/2007