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Delaware

Fishing

Fishing

Tidal Fishing Regulations

These are some of the regulations that all anglers should be familiar with. For a complete listing refer to the Division’s website or request a copy from the Director’s Office. See Fishing License Information for license requirements.

Striped Bass Spawning Season

The spawning season for striped bass in Delaware is considered to begin at 12:01 a.m. on April 1 and continue through midnight on May 31 of each calendar year. It is unlawful for any person to take and retain any striped bass during the spawning season from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries, the Delaware River and its tributaries to the north of a line extending due east beginning at and including the south jetty at the mouth of the C & D Canal, or the C & D Canal or its tributaries. Catch and release only during this season; no harvest is allowed.

Shark Fishing

Anglers are prohibited from landing and keeping prohibited sharks, including Sand Tiger and Sandbar sharks due to their slow reproductive rate and overfishing. To ensure the maximum likelihood of survival, prohibited sharks, as well as highly migratory shark species that are not retained, must be immediately released without removing the fish from the water by cutting the line near the hook or by using a de-hooking device.

When targeting sharks, non-offset carbon or mild steel circle hooks (not stainless steel) are required. This way, if the shark is lost before it is landed, the hook will rust out within a few weeks. For more information on ethical shark fishing practices, go to http://www.eregulations.com/delaware/fishing/ethical-catch-release-sharks/.

American Shad and Hickory Shad

It shall be unlawful for any person to have in possession more than two (2) American Shad and more than ten (10) hickory shad. Additionally, it shall be unlawful for any person to take and reduce to possession any American shad or hickory shad from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries.

River Herring

Both commercial and recreational river herring (blueback herring and alewife) fisheries are closed to harvest.

No person shall fish with any type of net, within 300 feet of any constructed dam or spillway on a tidal water river, stream, canal, ditch, or tributary located in this state.

Summer Flounder

It is unlawful for any person to have in possession any part of a summer flounder that measures less than the current minimum size limit between said part’s two most distant points unless said person also has in possession the head, backbone, and tail intact from which said part was removed.

Electric Lights

Electric lights may be used in tidal waters for recreational fishing with certain restrictions. Call Fisheries at 739-9914 for more information.

Courtesy Docks

Crabbing, fishing or swimming from floating courtesy docks at any Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife boat ramp is prohibited, unless otherwise posted.