CRAB POT LOTTERY - NOVEMBER 1, 2024 - JANUARY 31, 2025:
In June 2024, the Commission announced three crab pot licenses (285 pot limit) will be available for a random drawing from November 1, 2024
through January 31, 2025. The non-refundable registration fee for the 2024/2025 Crab Pot random drawing shall be set at $100. No person may
register more than once per year per fishery and the registration shall be for this year’s random drawing only. No person may hold more than
one crab pot license. No licenses received through a random drawing may be combined under Regulation I, Sec. 2(d)(4).
Updated Recreational Striped Bass Regulation as of March 8, 2024
PRFC Finfish Advisory Committee Vacancies:
- Maryland Charter Boat Captain (4-year term)
- Virginia Upper River Recreational Fisherman (4-year term)
- Virginia Lower River Recreational Fisherman (4-year term)
If you, or someone you know, who would be interested in filling this vacancy, please complete the
nomination form and submit it via mail, email (contactprfc@gmail.com), or dropping it off in person at
the Commission office. These positions remain vacant until filled.
NEW SPORT CRABBING REGULATIONS FOR 2024:
In April 2023, the Commission took action to eliminate the free sport crabbing regulation in the Potomac River by amending Reg. VI, Sections 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), 4(d), and 4(e). Beginning in 2024, ALL individuals desiring to sport crab in the Potomac River will need to purchase a $30 license. The new license structure eliminated the boat license and eliminated allowing individuals to have 2 pots/person in the Potomac River without a license. The only exemption to requiring a sport crabbing license is to private landowners (See Reg. VI, Sec. 4(a) for details and qualifications).
To All Gill Net, Pound Net, and Fyke Net Licensees:
At this time, we are requesting that all individuals that need to move a current fixed net location, or obtain a new fixed net location, first make an appointment. This appointment request applies to gill nets, fyke nets, or pound nets only. If you walk-in, there may not be a staff member available to complete this transaction. Please call our office at (804) 224-7148, during business hours, M-F, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Effective 11.1.2022, ALL commercial striped bass tags must be picked up in our office during normal business hours. If you are unable to pick up your striped bass tags yourself, you are required to complete the Designee Form and have your designee bring it with them. We will not accept phone calls to verify permission to pick up striped bass tags. Due to raising postage costs, the option to mail striped bass tags is no longer available.
You may have noticed that we added a new feature to our website. The PRFC Chat box is now available for you to use during normal PRFC business hours. Designated staff will respond to your chat request as soon as we see it. If we are not available to receive a chat message, or if received over the weekend or on a holiday, please leave your email, inquiry, and phone number if desired, and we will get back to you shortly.
PRFC Fin Fish Harvest Report
