Delaware River and Estuary

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Delaware River and Estuary (including Tributaries to Limits of Tidal Influence)

The following seasons, sizes and creel daily limits apply to the Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River and Delaware River tributaries, from the mouths of the tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal influence and the Lehigh River from its mouth upstream to the first dam in Easton, Pennsylvania. The Delaware River estuary waters are listed below. ATTENTION: Non-offset (inline) circle hooks are required when fishing with bait for any species of fish in the Tidal Delaware Estuary including tributaries from the mouths of the tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal influence. The definition of a non-offset (inline) circle hook is a non-offset hook where the point is pointed perpendicularly back towards the shank. The term ‘non-offset’ means the point and the barb are in the same plane as the shank. ATTENTION: It is unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any Striped Bass at any time when fishing.

The Delaware River Estuary Consists of the Water Areas Listed Below to their Upper Tidal Limits:

Water Area	Upper Tidal Limit
Chester Creek	Kerlin Street (Chester-city)
Crum Creek	U.S. Route 13 (Eddystone)
Darby Creek	Pine Street (Darby-borough)
Delaware River	From the PA state line upstream to the U.S. Route 1 bridge
Frankford Creek	U.S. Route 13 (Frankford Avenue)
Marcus Hook Creek	U.S. Route 13 (Marcus Hook-borough)
Neshaminy Creek	Hulmeville Falls
Pennypack Creek	U.S. Route 13 (Frankford Avenue)
Poquessing Creek	State Road
Ridley Creek	MacDade Boulevard (Chester-city)
Schuylkill River	Fairmount Dam

Delaware River and Estuary (including Tributaries to Limits of Tidal Influence)
Species	Seasons	Minimum Size	Daily Limit
Trout	April 5 at 8 a.m. through Oct. 15	North of I-84: 14 inches	1 (combined species)
		South of I-84: No minimum	5 (combined species)
		West Branch Delaware River *: 12 inches	2 (combined species)
Bass Largemouth and Smallmouth	Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31	12 inches	5 (combined species)
Bass Largemouth and Smallmouth	April 12 through June 13	NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only
Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge (Hybrids)	Open year-round	40 inches	1
Northern Pike	Open year-round	24 inches	2
Pickerel	Open year-round	12 inches	5
Walleye	The portion of the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania - open year-round. The portion of the Delaware River between New York and Pennsylvania - Jan. 1 until midnight, March 14 and May 3 until midnight, Dec. 31	18 inches	3
American Shad**	Open year-round	No minimum	2
American Eel	Open year-round	9 inches	25
Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass†****	From the Pennsylvania state line upstream to Calhoun Street Bridge; Jan. 1 through March 31 and June 1 through Dec. 31†	28 to less than 31 inches†	1†
	April 1 through May 31†	22 to less than 26 inches†	1†
	From Calhoun Street Bridge upstream - open year-round	28 to less than 31 inches	1
† It is unlawful to fish with bait for any species of fish in the tidal Delaware Estuary including tributaries from the mouths of the tributaries upstream to the limit of tidal influence using any hook type other than non-offset (inline) circle hooks. The definition of a non-offset (inline) circle hook is a non-offset hook where the point is pointed perpendicularly back towards the shank. The term 'non-offset' means the point and the barb are aligned in the same plane as the shank. For more information, consult the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website.
Baitfish/Fishbait* See General Fishing Regulations for definitions of Baitfish and Fishbait	Open year-round	No minimum	50 (combined species)
River Herring***	CLOSED YEAR-ROUND
Hickory Shad, Sturgeon and Other Threatened and Endangered Species	CLOSED YEAR-ROUND
Mussels/Clams	CLOSED YEAR-ROUND
Other Species	Inland seasons, sizes and creel limits apply except for waters under special regs.
* A special no-kill season with the use of artificial lures only has been established on the West Branch Delaware River (see Miscellaneous Waters with Special Regulations for details). American Shad is catch and release in all Delaware River tributaries including those above tide. River Herring (Alewife and Blueback Herring) has a closed year-round season with zero daily limit applied to Susquehanna River and tributaries, Lehigh River and tributaries, Schuylkill River and tributaries, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River, Delaware estuary and Delaware River tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal influence. *** It is unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any Striped Bass at any time when fishing. For all crayfish species,the head must be immediately removed behind the eyes upon capture unless used as bait in the water from which taken. See fish consumption advisory for Delaware Estuary Striped Bass over 28” in Fish Consumption Advisories.

When fishing with bait for any species of fish in the tidal Delaware Estuary, the use of a non-offset (inline) circle hook is required. A non-offset (inline) circle hook is considered a fishing device with no more than one point or barb.

Illustration showing a green check mark over a circle hook, and red prohibition symbols over a J-hook and a treble hook. Labels indicate each hook type. — Using circle hooks helps reduce injury to fish, supporting catch-and-release conservation practices and compliance with striped bass fishing regulations.

Saltwater Angler Registry

Anglers who target or catch shad, striped bass, or river herring from the Delaware River below Trenton Falls or in the Delaware Estuary must register for free with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission at HuntFish PA, register for a fee with the NOAA National Saltwater Angler Registry, or meet the saltwater angler registration requirements of another state."

Anglers do not need to register if they meet one of the following exceptions:

Are under the age of 16.
Hold a Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit.
Fish commercially under a valid license.
Possess a valid registration with the National Saltwater Angler Registry.
Registry administered by NOAA or from another exempted state.

Pennsylvania fishing license holders may choose to register for free with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Visit the site for registration details.

Anglers may also register through the NOAA National Saltwater Angler Registry website by selecting the appropriate registration link. Please note that registered anglers must still hold a valid state fishing license.

Fishing Privileges in Boundary Waters

The following fishing license agreements apply to boundary waters. You must abide by all other rules and regulations of the state in which fishing and where you launch or retrieve your boat.

A Pennsylvania or Maryland license is valid on the Conowingo Reservoir or Youghiogheny River Lake when fishing from a boat (excluding coves and tributaries). Does not include shore fishing.

A Pennsylvania or New York License is valid on the Delaware River (including West Branch) between New York and Pennsylvania when fishing from a boat or from either shore.

A Pennsylvania or New Jersey license is valid on the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania when fishing from a boat or from either shore. A Pennsylvania fishing license is required to fish in all other waters identified below as being part of the Delaware Estuary.

A Pennsylvania or Ohio license is valid on the Pymatuning Reservoir when fishing from a boat.

Does not include shore fishing.

A Pennsylvania license is required to fish Kinzua Reservoir in McKean and Warren counties.

No agreement has been established with New York.

No fishing agreements have been made on any other boundary waters.

Delaware River Blue Crabs

Female Blue Crabs bearing eggs or from which the egg pouch or bunion has been removed may not be possessed.

Crab Pots are limited to no more than two pots per person when taking crabs. In addition, two handlines may be used.

Unattended Crab Pots must be labeled with the name and address of the owner or user.

Disturbing Unattended Crab Pots is unlawful except by the owner, user or members of the immediate family and officers or representatives of the PFBC.

Horseshoe Crabs are unlawful to sell, offer for sale or purchase. It is unlawful to import into or transport in this Commonwealth horseshoe crabs for the purpose of sale.

Harvesting blue crabs from the Delaware River and its estuary waters is permitted pursuant to the regulations below.

Season

Minimum Size

Daily Limit

Open year-round

4 inches * (hard shell)

3.5 inches * (soft shell)

One (1) bushel

(combined - hard shell and soft shell)

Simple black-and-white line drawing of a crab with prominent claws and eight walking legs, viewed from above. — Illustration of a crab used for identification in fishing regulations and educational materials. Clear line drawings help anglers recognize key species like the blue crab, which is managed for sustainable harvest in estuarine environments.

* Measured point to point