Tidal Basin
- Saltwater
- Sea area
Tidal Basin
- Saltwater
- Sea area
- Sq. miles
- 0.2
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 6
The Tidal Basin is a manmade reservoir covering approximately 107 acres in the heart of Washington, D.C., adjacent to the National Mall and several national monuments. It is part of West Potomac Park and functions as a tidal retaining pond, designed to flush the Washington Channel by releasing 250 million gallons of captured high tide water twice daily. The basin averages about 10 feet in depth and sits at an elevation of roughly 3 feet. Its urban setting offers a unique fishing experience where anglers can target a wide variety of species amidst iconic landmarks.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Tidal Basin and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Northern Snakehead
Channa argus
Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
White Perch
Morone americana
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Tidal Basin. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Tidal Basin
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
District Of Columbia licenses and regulations
No licenses or regulations available for District Of Columbia.
Take Tidal Basin with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Tidal Basin to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Tidal Basin to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)
On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Tidal Basin and check the marine forecast before you launch.
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Fishing near Tidal Basin
Potomac River
Georgetown Channel
Triadelphia Reservoir
Patuxent River
Monocacy River
Patapsco River
Pentagon Lagoon
Seneca Creek
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