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.

Current Conditions

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While we do have reports from Delaware Bay (sort of), we still have no reports from the ocean. The water temperature at the Delaware Lightship Buoy is at 39 degrees, going up, but still a long way from the 45 degrees that it takes to get tog in a feeding mood.

Delaware Bay

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Patty at Captain Bones told us a few of her customers have been catching and releasing striped bass at Woodland Beach on bloodworms.

They are also catching white perch in the same location on the same bait. That bait is selling for $20 the half dozen.

Leipsic

Steve at Smith Bait reported that stripers have been caught at Woodland Beach on bloodworms. White perch are also in the mix on the same bait.

The striped bass are running on either side of the 28 to 31-inch slot. Steve said he has only seen one slot fish so far this spring.

Broadkill Beach

Dan at Dan’s Tackle said white perch have been caught out of the Broadkill River on grass shrimp and minnows.

Lewes

When I stopped by Lewes Harbour Marina, I didn’t have to ask for a report. All of the sport fishing boats were out of the water and the slips were empty as far as you can see.

Indian River Inlet

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Old Inlet Bait and Tackle told me they had people fishing Indian River Inlet but had no reports of any fish being caught.

Surf Fishing

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

Inshore Ocean

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

Offshore Ocean

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Zero reports from offshore.

Freshwater

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Carol at Taylored Tackle in Seaford said Cherry Beach in Sharptown, Maryland is the hot spot for white perch and Broad Creek is the same for yellow perch. Minnows are the best bait in both locations.

Steve at Smith Bait in Leipsic said crappie have been caught on minnows at Massey’s and Garrison’s Lake.

Patty at Captain Bones in Odessa had two citations to report.

The first was a 2.06-pound crappie caught by Grayson Lagullo on a Mega Bass jerk bait out of a private pond. The second was a 1.59-pound tallow perch caught by Dan Megahan, on a jerk bait and also from a private pond.

Maryland Striped Bass

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When the lead story on the local TV news is about striped bass, you know something important is going on.

Maryland is considering a change in the current regulations that would allow striped bass fishing during the month of August which, under the current regulations would be closed.

The charter boat industry along with the tourist industry came up with this bill and the conservation folks are opposed due to the poor survival of released fish in the warm water.

The outcome will be interesting.

Related Topics:  delaware bay, dfw, fishing, freshwater, indian river inlet, ocean and coasts, outdoors and recreation, surf fishing, wildlife