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Delaware

Fishing

Fishing

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.

For the actual wording of the Fisheries Statutes and Regulations, as well as a wide variety of other information, visit the Division’s website at www.fw.delaware.gov

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.

Illustration showing how to measure fish correctly.

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!

Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

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/.

Be On the lookout

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.