Blue Crabs, Clams, Conchs & Oysters

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Blue Crabs

A fishing license is required to crab in all waters of the State of Delaware.

The blue crab is common in all the tidal waters of Delaware. It is a popular recreational resource and tops the list of the State’s economically important marine fish and shellfish.

Blue crabs grow very quickly and reach maturity in 12 to 18 months. Most do not live beyond two years under current exploitation levels.

In order to grow, a blue crab must shed its shell and form a new shell. This process is repeated up to 18 times to attain maximum length. It is legal to take crabs at three stages, but to get the most yield in weight out of a crab, they should reach a minimum length before being harvested. This is measured from point to point of the top shell.

The minimum size for hard-shell blue crab is 5 inches, except mature females. Mature females (sooks) are identified by the rounded apron on their under side. Once this stage of development is achieved, females stop growing. Therefore, female blue crabs with a U-shaped apron may be retained at any size. Females bearing eggs, commonly known as sponge crabs, may not be taken and should be returned to the water immediately.

Recreational crabbers may not use, place, set or tend more than two pots. The person claiming to own the pots must be the one to set and tend them. These pots must be marked with all white buoys with the owner’s full name and permanent mailing address inscribed either on the buoy or on a waterproof tag attached to the buoy. All crab pots must be tended at least once every 72 hours. All crab pots must be removed from the water between December 1 and February 28. Recreational crabbers may use a trot line (no length limit) and any number of hand lines or traps. The recreational daily limit is one bushel per person.

Illustration showing four different types of blue crabs based on their gender and maturity: 'Jimmy' (mature male) with a narrow, pointed apron; 'She-crab' (immature female) with a triangular apron; 'Sook' (mature female) with a rounded apron; and 'Sponge Crab' (female carrying eggs) with an orange egg mass under the apron. — Identifying blue crabs made easy! This illustration shows the differences between a mature male ('Jimmy'), an immature female ('She-crab'), a mature female ('Sook'), and a female carrying eggs ('Sponge Crab'). Knowing these distinctions is essential for responsible crabbing and conservation.

Jonah Crab

Jonah crab are a species of crab that typically occur in offshore waters. The recreational possession limit is 50. The minimum size limit is 4¾" measured at the widest part of the carapace. The claws must remain naturally attached to the body of all Jonah crab retained and no egg-bearing females may be taken.

A turtle by-catch reduction device is required to be attached in each funnel entrance of a recreational crab pot to reduce the possibility of diamondback terrapins entering and drowning. A by-catch reduction device is a rigid rectangular frame of plastic or metal that measures 1.75 inches x 4.75 inches and is available at local tackle shops, or can be hand-made from heavy (>11 gauge) wire or other suitable material.

Step-by-step illustrated guide on how to install a Turtle Excluder Device (TED) in a crab pot, provided by the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The instructions outline obtaining a TED, positioning it in the funnel opening, and securing it with cable ties to prevent turtles from getting trapped while allowing crabs to enter. — How to Install a Turtle Excluder Device (TED) in a Crab Pot – This step-by-step guide from the National Aquarium in Baltimore explains how to properly install a TED to prevent turtles from getting trapped while still allowing crabs to enter. The instructions highlight selecting the right TED size, positioning it in the funnel opening, and securing it with cable ties for a firm attachment.

Clams, Mussels, & Scallops

Methods of Take and Limits

A fishing license is required to harvest clams in waters of the State of Delaware. See Fishing License Information for details.

It is unlawful for any person to attempt to take, catch, kill or reduce to possession any hard clams with a device other than a hand-held rake with a head no wider than fourteen (14) inches measured perpendicular to the tines and a straight handle not in excess of seven (7) feet in length.

It is unlawful to harvest hard clams from one-half hour after sunset through one-half hour before sunrise.

It is unlawful for any resident to harvest more than one hundred (100) clams per day unless otherwise permitted to do so by license or permit.

It is unlawful for any non-resident to harvest more than fifty (50) hard clams per day unless otherwise permitted to do so by license or permit.

No clam, mussel, or scallop harvesting is allowed in the Prohibited Areas marked on the Clam, Mussel & Scallop Map, nor any artificial lagoon, wet slip basin, or submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV/seagrass) bed. Harvesting is allowed only from December 1 through April 15 in the Seasonally Approved Areas. This is the law and for your protection against shellfish-borneillnesses. Before harvest, check the Delaware Shellfish Program page to verify no emergency closures of shellfish harvest have been issued. After harvest, shellfish should be kept isolated from Prohibited water and then immediately refrigerated to 45ºF or below. Questions regarding shellfish harvest area classification and other shellfish illness and sanitation topics should be directed to the Division of Watershed Stewardship, Shellfish and Recreational Water Programs 302-739-9939.

Diagram showing the minimum hard clam size requirement, which must measure at least 1.5 inches from point A to point B. The image includes text explaining the legal harvesting size for hard clams to ensure sustainable shellfish management. — The minimum legal size for harvesting a hard clam is 1.5 inches from point A to point B. Measuring clams before harvesting helps protect shellfish populations and ensures sustainable fishing practices.

Oysters

Recreational Harvest Prohibited

It is unlawful to recreationally harvest oysters in Delaware. This prohibition protects vulnerable oyster populations.

Conchs

Conch (channeled and knobbed whelk) may only be taken using conch pots with at least one escape vent measuring at least 5 inches x 10 inches in the top or parlor section. The recreational harvest of conch by any other method is prohibited. Recreational conch potters may not use, place, set or tend more than two conch pots. The person claiming to own the pots must be the one to set and tend them. These pots must be marked with all white buoys with the owner’s full name and permanent mailing address inscribed either on the buoy or on a waterproof tag attached to the buoy. All conch pots must be tended at least once every 72 hours. Knobbed conch must measure at least 5 inches along the axis or have a minimum diameter at the whorl of 3.0 inches. Channeled whelk must measure at least 6 inches along the axis or have a minimum diameter at the whorl of 3.125 (3 1⁄8) inches.

A black-and-white diagram illustrating how to measure a conch. The image labels two key measurements: — Properly measuring a conch is essential for sustainable harvesting. This diagram shows the two key measurements: whorl diameter (vertical) and length (horizontal). Make sure your conch meets size regulations before harvesting to protect marine populations.