Gravelly Point

[Connor Lynch]

Hey guys,
Had a run in with the law this morning at gravelly. The officer's name was John Alto, super nice guy and a fisherman himself. He asked for my license and I gave him my DC license which he was okay with but he said you technically do need a VA license. I also know there has been some debate about the legality of wading at Gravelly. Again, he told me it was technically illegal but that he wasn't going to write me up for wading. I spoke with him in the parking lot so he did not catch me in the act of wading but I had my waders on when I talked with him after I fished. I fish at gravelly and the duck pond a lot and this is the first time I've ever been stopped by park police. John said they are hiring some more officers to help patrol the river and are making a bigger effort to stop poaching, especially in the spring. I guess this doesn't really help answer any questions, and I could have just gotten lucky, but I thought I'd still share.

In other news, the fishing at gravelly is hot. Outgoing tide at sunset last night and sunrise this morning. Swinging clousers and deceivers through the current works well. Schoolies, largemouth, and even a 28-30 inch walleye. Couldn't get a picture of the walleye so you'll just have to believe me. I've added some pictures from last night and this morning and then some pictures from gravelly, 4mr, and the duck pond from summer/fall. Snakehead was caught back in August by my buddy on topwater.
Looking forward to meeting some of you guys at the next beer tie.
Tight lines,
Connor

[Andrew Sarcinello]

I believe the same officer talked to me in the parking lot at Roaches a few weeks ago.  Told me he is lenient about the DC vs VA license confusion and usually respects both.  I had my VA license on me anyway.  I hope they are serious about nailing the poachers, and hopefully don't become sticklers about wading so long as no other rules are being broken.

A few weeks ago at Gravelly, I was up by the bridge and reeling in my line to leave at 10:00 pm. What I think was an airport maintenance vehicle parked directly across from me and blasted me with the headlights.  I thought some BS was about to go down but all he did was yell, "You alright?!?"  I said yeah and turned and left.  pretty bizarre though...maybe he didn't see my fishing rod and thought I had fallen off the bike path.

I believe you about the walleye.  I've caught 3 in that general part of the river this time of year, though my biggest was "only" 20".  Really nice striper too!!  I haven't run into any that size this year yet.

[tperkins]

I always thought that while in Roaches run you needed you VA license, but that Gravelly your DC license was the correct one. On google maps the DC line hugs the shore up to the bridge. 

[Yambag Nelson]

It seems the stripers at gravelly are running a bit smaller this year than they have the last few years (at least for me).  My best fish have only been around 16 inches whereas it seemed like I got one at least that size almost everytime last year with some fish running into the 18-19 inch range.  There have been alot more people fishing gravelly this year, not sure if that is why.

On Friday, November 10, 2017 at 1:17:26 PM UTC-5, Andrew Sarcinello wrote:

[Rob Snowhite]

Got a voice mail from USPP this morning. May be concerning this. Waiting to hear back. I’ll get the legality of what license is needed where regardless. 

Sent from my iPhone

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[Connor Lynch]

The officer also mentioned that they were trying to put a fishing clinic on for local kids in Alexandria and asked if any fly fishing guys would be interested helping.

[Richard Farino]

You’ll get different answers from each organization.  US Park Police say you need a DC license on both the outflow at Gravely and in the Duck Pond because it’s adjacent Park Service property.

VADGIF will tell you the body of water is inland, so you need a VA freshwater fishing license.

R

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[Severn]

Is it permitted to put a canoe in the Duck Pond?  Thanks.  

On Friday, November 10, 2017 at 10:42:28 AM UTC-5, Connor Lynch wrote:

[Scott Stankus]

I can’t say if it is or isn’t, but I’ve put my canoe in there several times (and have often seen others doing the same) and never had a problem. Near the north end of the parking lot there’s an access point that’s perfect for launching canoes and kayaks. 

—Scott

Sent from my iPhone

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[Kyle Noonan]

Perhaps a letter to NPS clarifying the law would be helpful. The management probably doesn't think about the issue of which license is required at Gravelly. A letter, which we could make public, pointing out why only a DC license is required would at least put the issue on NPS radar.

[Rob Snowhite]

Here is the answer given by a GWMP Representative. The US Park Police will try to have officers attend Beer Tie for us to ask about such issues.

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Entering the Potomac River and/or its tributaries from Park property to wade, swim, bathe, etc is illegal (unless you're trying to save a drowning person).  I suspect 36 CFR 7.96 is probably the best source if you're looking for specific regs.  Also Park specific additions to 36 CFR 7.96 can be found in GWMP's Compendium at: www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/management/upload/Compendium.pdf.  Wading is not allowed from Park property at the 3 areas you've circled (or any other Park areas).  

One could technically wade into the Potomac River from a non-Park area without violating any Park regs (i.e., jump out of a kayak/boat to wade... or wade in from non-Park/private property), but they may still be in violation of DC regs.  Keep in mind US Park Police officers have concurrent jurisdiction.  If they observe non-Park infractions (i.e., DC, VA, MD reg violations), they can/do write citations for those violations as well.  As the the club members have noted, some of the officers are lenient due to the jurisdictional complications of the area.  I'll need to research the DC regs to determine if they allow wading into the Potomac from private property.

I can clarify some of the club members questions about licensing and jurisdiction of that area.  The jurisdiction overall is rather complicated.  The Potomac river itself (water column) in this area, and the water in the Gravelly Point "cove"/boat ramp area is under DC jurisdiction/DC fishing regs.  The Roaches Run column of water is Park jurisdiction, but defaults to Virginia fishing regulations (NPS wading regs still apply).  If I recall correctly, the point of separation between DC and NPS at the Roaches run inlet/outlet is the east side of the northbound GW Parkway road.  East of that line, a DC license is needed... west of that line (into the sanctuary), a VA license is needed.  Those licenses unfortunately do not reciprocate (between VA and DC).  I would recommend the club members obtain both licenses to be safe.

Regarding vessels in Roaches Run, there are prohibitions on internal-combustion engines, but I don't believe there are any restrictions on non-motorized vessels in that area.  I'll need to research this as well.

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On Friday, November 10, 2017 at 10:42:28 AM UTC-5, Connor Lynch wrote:

[Kyle Noonan]

Thanks for posting, Rob. The Park Service officer's suggestion that anglers have both a Virginia and DC license to fish at Gravelly is not well taken. That is just not correct. In fact, the regs are clear that only a DC license is required to fish at Gravelly Point. To fish Roaches Run, across the GW Parkway, a Virginia license is required.

[Philip Brown]

If I read Rob's post correctly, I believe it is saying that to fish the water by Gravelly point and the boat ramp, you need a DC license.

To fish the other side of the road, in Roaches Run, you need a Virginia fresh water license.

So if you only fish Gravely point, and don't fish the Sanctuary at Roaches Run, you only need a DC license.

I wish that DC would reciprocate with SOME of the jurisdictions.  BTW, this year, for the first time, I got a PRFC license for my boat.

Based on current pricing it seemed to be the best deal for me for fishing the Potomac.

http://prfc.us/sports.html

[Philip Brown]

I should add, that I also got a DC license, since DC doesn't reciprocate with ANYONE!

At some point I may try to purchase some of the "lifetime" fishing licenses.  

It's a real pain the #$@#$ to have to keep getting DC, VA, or MD fresh and salt water licenses, and 

keeping it all straight.  I'd be relieved to pay some money now, and permanently have the paperwork that I need from now

until I'm six feed under.

:-)

   -Phil

[Tom Somers]

License check this morning. Officer was totally cool.

[Patrick Roethe]

Did you get busted?

On Sat, Jan 27, 2018 at 2:04 PM, Tom Somers <tom.so...@gmail.com> wrote:

License check this morning.  Officer was totally cool.

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[Jeff Cook]

You mean Nancy Reagan Memorial Park??

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[Tom Moran]

Hi Connor, I just found this forum and am catching up on a few topics of interest.  I was a member of the Potomac River Smallmouth Club for quite a few years, mostly in the '90's, and at one point we ran into issues wading at Turkey Run area, which is clearly within the scope of the CFR you linked.  This presented quite an issue for the club as this was a very popular spot to hit for an hour or two after work in the summer.  The river gets very wide and shallow there, except for a narrow channel running near the Va shore.  No wading?!   Our club leadership reached out to the Park Service, and after some lobbying they issued a clarification letter that indicated that entering the water to fish from the Park in the Turkey Run area should not be considered a violation of the rule.  Now, I don't know if the rule was the same then as now.  And what they did was in effect a non-enforcement waiver, kind of quiet and behind the scenes.  Turkey Run at the time had some issues with illicit activities and they were more than happy to have anglers using the park regularly.  

I've since drifted away from the club, though it's still active.  I do wonder if that exemption still works.  

Tom