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Recreational fishing in Delaware requires licenses for most anglers and is governed by both state regulations promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and regional and national regulations.
Delaware has sole management responsibility for fisheries targeting non-migratory species in state waters, such as oysters.
Delaware jointly manages the fisheries for migratory species that are mainly found in state waters with the other Atlantic Coast states through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, a compact of the states created in 1942 to manage such fisheries.
Delaware manages the fisheries for species that occur mainly in federal waters (from 3 to 200 miles offshore) through the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and in coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Delaware fishing licenses can be purchased online via Digital DNREC or in-person at an authorized license agent or at the licensing desk inside DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building, at 89 Kings Highway SW, in Dover.
An annual recreational fishing license covers recreational fishing, crabbing and clamming in all Delaware waters. In addition to the license, recreational anglers who purchase an individual fishing license or resident boat fishing license will automatically be issued a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number.
Anglers who fish for trout in Delaware are required to have a Delaware Trout Stamp. Delaware residents ages 65 and older are exempt from purchasing a Delaware Trout Stamp.
Anglers are exempt from fishing license requirements if they are the operator of a vehicle with a valid Delaware surf fishing vehicle permit, as long as the vehicle is located on a designated Delaware State Park surf fishing area. Normal licensing provisions apply to other occupants of that vehicle if they are fishing.
Head boat licenses are required for vessels hired on a per-person basis. Charter boat licenses are required for vessels hired on a per-trip basis. Both the charter boat and head boat licenses cover the paying passengers, the captain and the crew while they are fishing aboard the vessel only.
Head boat and charter boat licenses are issued directly from the Division of Fish and Wildlife. To apply, complete and submit the Head/Charter Boat License Application.
State of Delaware regulations related to fishing and fisheries are published as part of the Delaware Administrative Code. When proposals are made to change the regulations, they are published on the DNREC regulations page and in the state Register of Regulations. There is a defined DNREC regulatory development process, which includes public notice and public hearings.
The regulations cover both commercial and recreational fishing and are organized by type of fish.
Horseshoe Crabs (7 DE Admin. Code 3200)
Non-Tidal Finfish (7 DE Admin. Code 3300)
Shellfish (7 DE Admin. Code 3700)
Tidal Finfish (7 DE Admin. Code 3500)
Related Topics: dfw, fish and wildlife, fisheries, fishing, licensing, outdoors, outdoors and recreation, permitting and regulation, recreation, research
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