Delaware Fishing Report

The Delaware Fishing Report offers information on when to fish, where to fish, which species are biting, and how to catch them. It is written weekly by Eric Burnley, Sr.

Find information on fishing in Delaware on the new Recreational Fishing page and the updated DNREC Fisheries Section page and in the Delaware Fishing Guide. Don’t forget that you will need a Delaware fishing license.

Find information on the tides in Delaware tidal waters from NOAA and about Delaware’s freshwater fishing ponds.

February 19, 2026

Current Conditions

All of the saltwater bodies still have a temperature in the 30s. That means no fish have been caught from any bay or ocean. The spillways are the only locations providing any semblance of fishing success. Some perch have been caught on minnows and jigs.

Delaware Bay

Patty at Captain Bones did not answer the phone. Perhaps she is on a well-deserved vacation. I am sure she would have no reports from Delaware Bay.

Leipsic

Steve at Smith Bait told us crappie and bass have been caught from the spillways below Silver Lake in Dover. Live minnows and Magic Crappie jigs have been the top producers.

Lewes

Lewes Harbour Marina said he is selling some tackle to folks who are heading to warmer climates. He has not seen a fish in so long he may not recognize one when he sees it.

Indian River Inlet

Old Inlet Bait and Tackle had zero reports from Indian River Inlet. They did have a report of short stripers caught below the spillway in Millsboro. No bait was given, but I would certainly try a white bucktail.

Surf Fishing

Old Inlet Bait and Tackle said surf fishing is all but impossible.

Inshore Ocean

Burt at Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em may be closed for the season.

Offshore Ocean

Zero reports from offshore.

Freshwater

Image of a White Perch — **White Perch**

Carol at Taylored Tackle in Seaford said crappie and white perch are being caught from the Nanticoke River and the spillway below Records Pond in Laurel and the spillway in Seaford on live minnows and crappie jigs. She just received some new catfish rigs and has already sold a few. The blue cats in the Nanticoke River are beginning to become active.

Virginia Black Sea Bass

Image of a Black Sea Bass — **Black Sea Bass**

Virginia has a deal where they can fish for black sea bass during February. They must report their catch as soon as they return to port.

My son Ric, who lives in Virginia Beach, fished on the Smoke Show Sportfishing Charter last Sunday. They ran to the 44-Fathom Wreck 60 miles off the beach in 250 feet of water. They caught 155 black sea bass to 5.5 pounds. A VMRC officer and a fish survey guy were waiting at the dock when they returned.

Eric Burnley, Sr. is a native Delawarean who has fished local waters for more than 60 years. Eric Burnley has been a full-time outdoor writer since 1978, with articles appearing in most national magazines and many regional publications. He has written three books: Surf Fishing the Atlantic Coast, The Ultimate Guide to Catching Striped Bass and Fishing Saltwater Baits.