Fish & Wildlife Directory

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/.

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.