Pages Categorized With: "Fish and Wildlife"
Freshwater Trout Fishing
DNREC’s freshwater trout program is a self-supporting put-and-take fishery. Rainbow, brown and/or brook trout are stocked in selected streams in New Castle County and in selected ponds in Kent and Sussex counties. Basic Requirements No minimum size. Four fish per day in fly-fishingBoating and Fishing Access Locations
[giciframeAngler Alert: Snakeheads
The Northern Snakehead (Channa argus), a fish native to China and Russia, has become a problem invasive species in several states, including Delaware. Anyone who catches a snakehead in Delaware is encouraged to kill it and notify the Division of Fish and Wildlife. NorthernArtificial Reef Program
Delaware has 14 permitted artificial reef sites in Delaware Bay and along the Atlantic Coast. Cleaned and stable construction materials, boats, and subway cars create new habitat. They support expanded recreational fishing and diving. DevelopmentInvasive Aquatic Species
Delaware, along with other states in the Mid-Atlantic Region, has been invaded by non-native aquatic species that pose a threat to native species, to ecological processes, and to the economy. An invasive species is a non-native species whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmentalResearch and Monitoring
Biologists from the Division of Fish and Wildlife keep track of the state’s fish populations. They work on Delaware’s rivers, ponds, estuaries, the Delaware Bay, and coastal waters and study how different species are faring. What Fisheries Biologists Do Fisheries Biologist John Clark captured and tagged thisResources for Delaware Pond Owners
Many small “farm” ponds in Delaware provide important recreational opportunities. Children may catch their first bluegill from such a pond. Ponds provide aesthetic beauty, irrigation, fire safety in rural areas, and wildlife habitat.Contact Us
Gamefish and Freshwater Fishing Restrictions
Gamefish are found in either tidal or non-tidal freshwater in Delaware. Gamefish taken from Delaware waters cannot legally be sold, traded or bartered unless authorized by permit. The following restrictions apply to fishing for gamefish and in general for fishing in all non-tidal waters. For more information, or to report a violation, call 1-800-523-3336Largemouth Bass Tournaments
Largemouth Bass fishing tournaments are popular in Delaware’s public ponds and tidal rivers. Most events are held between April and November. Data collected during the tournaments is useful to biologists that manage bass populations. Get a Tournament PermitAquatic Plants and Herbicides
The Division of Fish and Wildlife gets many questions about about aquatic plant problems in small ponds. White-waterlily (Nymphaea odorata) Aquatic plants provide habitat for fish and small pond creatures. According to biologists, plant cover between 20 and 40 percent is ideal forBecoming an Outdoors-Woman
DNREC’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) is an educational program offering hands-on workshops to encourage and enhance participation in outdoor activities like hunting and shooting sports, fishing and boating, and non-harvest activities. The 2024 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program The 2024 Delaware Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program willHunter Education Training Centers and Ranges
There are hunter education training centers in all three Delaware counties, and shooting ranges in Kent and New Castle Counties.Contact Us
Office of Hunter Education 6180 Hay Point Landing Road Smyrna, DE 19977 302-735-3600 x 1 HunterEducation@delaware.gov
Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor Program
The Delaware Hunter Education Program needs you to help prepare the next generation and other newcomers to hunting or trapping for a safe and enjoyable hunting future.Contact Us
Hunter Education Courses
The Hunter Education Program offers a variety of classes, both basic and advanced. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, most hunter education classes are only available online.Contact Us
Hunter Education Course Calendar
The Hunter Education Program offers a variety of classes, both basic and advanced. Basic hunter education classes are available in person or online. Use the Digital DNREC Hunter Education system to register for hunter education courses, print hunter education cards, and manage your profile. [eme_events category=14 template_id=4Delaware Master Hunter Program
The Delaware Master Hunter Program is not for beginners. Your hunting license was only the beginning. And you aren’t a beginner any more. In fact, you’ve been at this outdoors pursuit called hunting for a long time and have a wealth of experience to show for it.Hunter Education
The Delaware Hunter Education Program is committed to putting safe, ethical and educated hunters in the field. Since 1970, it has continued Delaware’s tradition of fair chase hunting by educating and developing responsible, involved, safe and knowledgeable hunters for the future of The First State. [panel type=”success” heading=”ContactShellfish Aquaculture
The Division of Fish and Wildlife makes acreage in the Inland Bays available for leases for shellfish aquaculture.Contact Us
Zina Hense Environmental Scientist 302-739-4782
About the Division of Fish and Wildlife
We Bring You Delaware’s Great Outdoors through Science and Service What We Do Manage the state’s fish and wildlife resources. Enforce laws and regulations designed to protect and conserve these resources. Provide hunter and boater safety education programs. Provide environmental educationHistory of the Sport Fishing Tournament
The Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament began in the late 1930s when the Board of Game and Fish Commissioners arranged a fishing contest. They wanted to increase interest in fresh and saltwater hook-and-line fishing in Delaware. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuTournament Sizes
This page lists the minimum weights and lengths for fish to be eligible for the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament. Information on state records for freshwater and saltwater catches is also available. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuCollectible Lapel Pins
Anglers who make record trophy catches in the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament are awarded collectible lapel pins to mark their achievements. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuTournament Youth Division
The Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament has added a Youth Division for anglers aged fifteen and younger. There is also a Youth Division of the Live Release Award program. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuLive Release Entry Form
The Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament includes awards for catching and releasing eligible species. The Live Release Award is open to both adult and youth anglers. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuDelaware Sport Fishing Tournament
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife sponsors the annual Sport Fishing Tournament to promote recreational fishing in Delaware. The tournament recognizes both young and adult anglers for outstanding catches. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuDelaware Sport Fishing Tournament Rules
The following rules apply to the annual Delaware Sport Fishing tournament, including the Youth Division. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuDelaware Elite Anglers
Delaware’s Elite Anglers are the select few who have received Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament citations for five different species within one calendar year. A once-in-a lifetime award, the Delaware Elite Angler is the most esteemed level of angling accomplishment that the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife recognizes.Tournament Weigh Stations
There are official Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament weigh stations throughout the state where anglers can have their catch weighed. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuDelaware Fishing Records
This page lists each current Delaware record fish as well as the anglers who hooked, fought and landed them. Eighteen freshwater species and thirty saltwater species of trophy fish have been recognized as state records in Delaware. These fish are the largest specimens documented to have been caught by rod and reel. If youCouncil on Recreational Fishing Funding
The Council on Recreational Fishing Funding was created in 2007 and serves in an advisory capacity to the Director of Fish and Wildlife. It considers matters relating to funding fishery-related projects as well as fishery-related construction priorities for the expenditure of funds generated from the sale of recreational fishing licenses. [column md=”5″ xclass=”col-xs=-12 col-lg-4Advisory Council on Shell Fisheries
The Advisory Council on Shell Fisheries was created in 1953 and serves in an advisory capacity to the Director of Fish and Wildlife. It considers matters relating to the control and direction of the shellfish industry and the protection, conservation and propagation of shellfish of this State, and such matters as may be referred toAdvisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish
The Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish was created in 1953 as the Council on Game and Fish. It serves in an advisory capacity to the Director of the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife.Contact Us
Advisory Council on Tidal Finfisheries
The Advisory Council on Tidal Finfisheries was created in 1984 to advise the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife and represent both the commercial and recreational interests in the state’s regulation of finfish.Contact Us
Rebecca Hoover Recording Secretary 302-739-9914
Fish and Wildlife Advisory Councils
Delaware state law establishes several councils to advise the Director of Fish and Wildlife on matters relating to fisheries, recreational fishing, wildlife and hunting, and shell fisheries. Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish CouncilContact Information
Patrick J. Emory, Director 89 Kings HighwayDover, DE 19901302-739-9910patrick.emory@delaware.gov Frequently-Called Phone Numbers Boat Registration: 302-739-9916 Recreational Licenses, Permits, Passes, and Stamps: 302-739-9918 Boater Education: 302-739-9915 Hunter Education: 302-735-3600 (Ext. 1) Nuisance Animals: 302-739-9912 Report Fishing Violations: 1-800-523-3336 Operation Game Theft: 1-800-292-3030
Licenses and Permits
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife manages licenses, permits, registrations, stamps and conservation access passes related to fishing, hunting, boating, and the use of state wildlife areas. There are hunter safety and boating safety education requirements that must be met. Manage Your Recreational Licenses on Digital DNREC [column md=”5″ xclass=”col-xs-12 col-lg-5Fish and Wildlife License Agents
Hunting and fishing licenses, and conservation access passes (CAP), can be purchased at the following authorized licensing agents. Some agents only sell fishing licenses while others sell only hunting licenses and conservation access passes. Licenses also can be purchased online or at the licensing desk inside DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building, at 89 Kings HighwayQuestions and Answers: Delaware Fishing Licenses
The following are many of the questions that have come in about fishing licenses in Delaware. If you have a question, and don’t find the answer here, please send us an email at DFWRecLic@delaware.gov.Low Number License Lottery
DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will not hold a low-number hunting license lottery for the 2020/21 hunting season. Please check back for lottery information about the 2021/22 licensing season. For more information, Delaware residents can contact Danielle Davis, Division of Fish and Wildlife License Program Coordinator, at 302-739-9918, between theFish and Wildlife License Fees
Information on fees for licenses, registrations, permits, and passes from the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. Delaware Resident Non-Resident Agent FeeExemptions and Exceptions
Delaware state law and Delaware’s fishing and hunting regulations provide several exemptions and exceptions to the state’s fishing and hunting licensing requirements. The following are exempt from fishing license requirements: Surf Fishing Permits [column md=”6″ xclass=”col-xs-12Purchase Recreational Licenses Online
DNREC has replaced the old “egov” online licensing system with a new Digital DNREC ePermitting system for recreational licenses, passes, permits, and stamps.Recreational Licensing
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife offers licenses, permits, stamps, and passes for recreational fishing and hunting, and for the use of Delaware Wildlife Areas.Contact Us
Trisha Virdin Licensing Coordinator 302-739-9918
