You can obtain a license from any one of the many fishing license vendors in the Washington metropolitan area. Fishing Licenses go on sale in November for the following calendar year. This site also features an online form that can be printed and mailed to the Fisheries and Wildlife Division.
Licensing Requirements
The Fisheries Management Regulations promulgated on March 27, 1987, under the District of Columbia's Water Pollution Control Act of 1984 (DC Law 5-188), states the following:
Effective January 1, 1988, no person except:
(a) persons under sixteen (16) years of age and
(b) persons sixty-five (65) years of age or older, shall take fish or other aquatic organisms from District waters unless the person is licensed by the Department of Health.
A licensed angler shall maintain possession of the license while angling and shall display the license at all times. A scientific collection permit shall be required for the scientific collection of fish or other aquatic organisms from District waters.
Fishing licenses shall be valid from January 1 to December 31 of the calendar year marked on the license.
A person wanting to purchase a fishing license or obtain a scientific collecting permit should contact the Fisheries and Wildlife Division at (202) 535-2260.
