Fish & Wildlife Directory
State of Delaware
John C. Carney Jr.
Governor
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Shawn M. Garvin
Secretary
Division of Fish & Wildlife
David E. Saveikis
Director
Advisory Council on Wildlife & Freshwater Fish
Steve M. Kendus,
Chair
Garrett L. Grier, Jr.,
Vice Chair
Raymond F. Burris
John Neal Dukes
Nathan R. Hudson
Joe C. Johnson
Steven M. Kendus
Dale R. Scuse
F. Thomas Unruh
Advisory Council on Tidal Fin Fisheries
Dr. Dewayne Fox,
Chair
P. Wes Townsend,
Vice Chair
Brian Hoffecker
Mike Cerchio
Bernard L. Pankowski
Joseph A. Smith
Advisory Council on Recreational Fishing Funding
Bernard L. Pankowski,
Chair
David A. Russell,
Vice Chair
Ralph William Baker
Eric B. Burnley, Sr.
Richard Carlisle
Loren C. Evans
Hon. Ronald Gray
Hon. Gerald Hocker
Ronald L. Horton
Advisory Council on Shell Fisheries
Leonard Voss, Jr.,
Chair
Steven Copp
Jordan Giuttari
Edward Hale, Jr.
Richard S. Hand, Jr.
Desmond Kahn
Paul Satterfield
State and Federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion and/or disability. Complaints or inquiries should be directed to: Personnel Office, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
This summary is for the convenience of the sportsman and is not intended to cover all fishing laws and regulations. For specific provisions, reference should be made to Title 7, Delaware Code and Delaware Administrative Code. When federal and state laws conflict, the law which is more restrictive governs.
Directory
Division of Fish & Wildlife - www.fw.delaware.gov
Fisheries Section, Dover - (302) 739-9914
Fisheries Field Offices
Little Creek - (302) 735-2960
Aquatic Resources
Education Center - (302) 735-8652
Recreational Fishing Licenses - (302) 739-9918
Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Section
New Castle County - (302) 836-4682
Kent County - (302) 739-6139
Sussex County - (302) 855-1901
24-hour hotline (KENTCOM)
for reporting violations,
problems - (800) 523-3336
Boating Safety - (302) 739-9915
Ramp Certificates - (302) 739-9916
Boat Registration - (302) 739-9916
General Information
Freshwater Trout Program - (302) 739-9914
Non-tidal Fishing - (302) 735-2960 / (302) 735-8650
Tidal Fishing - (302) 739-9914 / (302) 735-2960
Fish Consumption Advisories - (302) 739-9914
Division Public Health - (302) 744-4546
Artificial Reef Program - (302) 735-2960
Fishing / Boating Access Areas - (302) 739-9914
Clamming - (302) 735-2960
Shellfish Health & Safety,
Closures - (302) 739-9939
Crabbing - (302) 735-2960
State Record
Fish Verification - (302) 735-2960 / (800) 523-3336
Fish Kills & Environmental
Emergencies/Complaints - (800) 662-8802
Fishing License Plates
Purchase a Delaware recreational fishing specialty motor vehicle license plate to show your passion and support for sport fishing in Delaware. There is a one-time purchase price of $95, $80 of which will be used to promote recreational fishing in Delaware and to support fisheries research, habitat restoration, and fish stocking. The new fishing plates can be ordered by mail. An application and ordering instructions are available online at https://tinyurl.com/DEFishplate.

Measuring Your Catch
Place the fish on a measuring board or stick with the tip of the jaw or snout (the mouth closed) at the end of the instrument. Hold the head down with one hand to keep the fish in place, pinch the upper and lower lobes of the tail together while swiping the tail back and forth across the board. Note the measurement of the longest part of the tail*; that is the “total length.” Keep in mind that fish which barely make the minimum length may shrink after being on ice for an hour or more. Sometimes it is possible to get an accurate measurement while the fish is still in the landing net.

Fish facts
Hey, having trouble identifying your catch? Want to know a good bait to use to catch a certain species? Need to find out what the current state record is for a species? Check out our “Fish Facts” page with loads of helpful information on over 180 species of fish and shellfish you can catch in Delaware waters. Just type fishspecies.dnrec.delaware.gov in any browser and click on a category. Many folks keep it bookmarked on their smartphone for quick access. Enjoy!

Invasive Species Alert
It is unlawful for any person to transport, purchase, possess, or sell walking catfish (Clarius batrachus), the white amur or grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), live northern snakehead fish (Channa argus), blotched snakehead fish (Channa maculata), blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) or flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) without the written permission of the Director.
Clean Water
How’s My Waterway
How’s My Waterway (www.epa.gov/mywaterway) helps users quickly find information on the condition of their local waters using a smart phone, tablet, or desktop computer. This tool provides results within seconds using EPA’s water quality assessment data. Check out the condition of your local waterbody today!


Shellfish Aquaculture — Inland Bays
Anglers and boaters should be aware that shellfish aquaculture leases are established in Delaware’s Inland Bays. Leased areas may contain submerged or floating aquaculture gear. Although anglers may fish in these areas, it is unlawful to anchor on a leased area or tie a vessel to any lease markers or gear. It is also unlawful to harvest any cultured or wild bivalve shellfish from the lease sites or associated navigation corridors. Shellfish aquaculture leases are presently located in the areas indicated on Fishing & Clamming Maps; however, other areas may be leased in the future. For an interactive map of the leased areas, or more information on the program, please refer to https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/fish-wildlife/fishing/shellfish-aquaculture/.
Have You Seen a Sturgeon Lately?
Have You Seen a Sturgeon Lately? If you find a dead sturgeon please report it immediately by email at [email protected], by calling: 302-735-8663, or scanning the QR code to the right. Don’t forget to include an exact location and contact information in your message.