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.

January 22, 2026

Harvest of bivalve shellfish in Indian River Bay is closed until Feb. 6, 2026 for the protection of public health due to a wastewater spill. Oysters aquacultured in Rehoboth Bay are not affected and remain suitable for raw consumption by healthy individuals. (Updated Jan. 23, 2026 at 11:38 a.m.)

Current Conditions

As I am sure you know, the weather has not been suitable for fishing. That has resulted in very few folks going fishing. Last week the water temperature at the Delaware Lightship Buoy was 44.2 degrees. This week it dropped to 40 degrees.

Even if you could get out to ocean structure, it is doubtful you would be able to catch a tog.

Many of the local tackle shops are closed, so if you want some tackle, please call ahead. Conditions are forecast to only get worse in the foreseeable future.

Delaware Bay

Patty at Captain Bones said she had no reports from Delaware Bay.

Leipsic

Steve at Smith Bait told us when there is no ice, crappie have been caught on minnows at Garrisons Lake, Silver Lake in Dover below the spillway and Coursey’s Pond.

Lewes

Lewes Harbour Marina said it has been really lonely at the shop since no boats have been fishing all week.

Indian River Inlet

Old Inlet Bait and Tackle said even during the mild weather fishing for tog was difficult at best due to the cold water.

Rick’s Bait and Tackle on Long Neck was closed.

Surf Fishing

Old Inlet Bait and Tackle said surf fishing continues to be difficult.

Inshore Ocean

Burt at Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em did not answer their phone. They may be closed until conditions improve.

Offshore Ocean

No report.

Freshwater

Other than the report from Steve at Smith Bait in Leipsic, no one else had any news.

Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin tuna action continues to be outstanding out of Oregon Inlet. My last report indicated the fish were right outside the Inlet and the action was hot and heavy.

The last trip my friend made resulted in three bluefins brought to the boat. One was retained, two were released. Two more were lost. One due to a broken rod. The other to a broken line.

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.