Pages Tagged With: "fish and wildlife"
Winning Waterfowl Stamp Contest Entries
The winning entries for the 2027/2028 edition of the Delaware State Waterfowl Stamp Contest were chosen by a panel of five judges who separately evaluated and scored the contest entries in person. A painting of a pair of goldeneye ducks flying past a Delaware lighthouse, by Jonathan Milo of Monroe, Connecticut, will graceWinning Trout Stamp Contest Entries
The winning entries for the 2027 edition of the Delaware Trout Stamp Contest were chosen by a panel of five judges who separately evaluated and scored the contest entries in person. The 2027 Delaware Trout Stamp will feature a painting of a Rainbow Trout by George Bradford of Georgetown, Delaware. Mr. Bradford received $250 for Best in ShowAge and Growth Research
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, in coordination with other management agencies, manages fish populations in Delaware’s public ponds, freshwater and tidal streams, inland bays, the Delaware River and Bay and the near-shore Atlantic Ocean. A critical piece of data needed for good fisheries management is the age distribution and growthUpland Game Permits
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife reviews applications for permits for shooting preserves, retriever training and for gamebird possession, breeding and release. Ring-necked Pheasant (Photo: Joanna Gilkeson/USFWS) Gamebirds approved for release include quail, chukar partridge, Hungarian partridge and pheasants. These permits do not authorizeShad Restoration on the Nanticoke River
Shad restoration is occurring along the entire east coast due to dwindling population numbers. This trend is most apparent in the Chesapeake Bay, including the Nanticoke River Delaware’s only major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay which flows through western Sussex County. The Nanticoke River stock of shad isInvestigating the Secret Life of the Disappearing Bethany Beach Firefly
The Bethany Beach firefly is a Delaware treasure. One of the rarest firefly species in the world, this insect is known for its distinctive green double flash. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is working to learn more about the species, which is threatened by development, light pollution and climate change.Fish Stocking
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife uses various techniques to monitor and study fish populations and habitat to determine when, where and how to best maintain healthy fish populations. Rainbow Trout A question often on anglers’ minds is “When was this pond/river/creek last stocked?” InHow Chronic Wasting Disease in Delaware Impacts Hunters and Residents
After 23 years of comprehensive testing, Delaware found its first case of chronic wasting disease in 2026. What exactly does this mean for deer hunters? While the disease doesn’t affect humans, there’s still information Delawareans should know.Wild Turkey Surveys
Since 2010, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife has used an annual, volunteer-based survey to record observations of wild turkeys across the state during the months of July and August. The survey generates an index of annual turkey productivity and recruitment (the ratio of young birds to adult females). The surveyStraight-Wall, Pistol-Caliber Rifles for Deer Hunting in Delaware
Rifles chambered for straight-wall ammunition may be used to hunt deer in Delaware, during specific hunting seasons and only south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. For more information on deer hunting, please contact the DNREC Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. Restrictions and GuidelinesSentinel Chickens Stand Guard to Help Delaware Detect Mosquito-Transmitted Viruses
The word “sentinel” likely conjures up an image of a soldier standing guard. What, then, are sentinel chickens? No, these aren’t birds dressed in tiny suits of armor carrying miniature swords as they watch over the henhouse. But sentinel chickens do play an important role in protecting public health in Delaware by helping scientists detect two diseases.DNREC Helps Grow Delaware Quail Population Through Targeted Habitat Work
The population of northern bobwhite quail saw a precipitous drop across the country in the mid-to-late 1900s. Fortunately for Delaware, an initiative launched here about 15 years ago is already paying dividends for our state.Delmarva Fox Squirrel Conservation
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife is implementing a conservation plan for the Delmarva fox squirrel. This sub-species of the fox squirrel, found only on the Delmarva Peninsula, is rare in Delaware. As part of the conservation plan, DNREC has moved squirrels from Maryland into southern Delaware and is monitoring the newly established populations.Youth Fishing Tournament
Bring your family to a freshwater fishing pond in your county for the Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament. The tournament is held each year during National Fishing and Boating Week. The 2026 Youth Fishing Tournament is set for June 6, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-registrationPrescribed Burns Help Delaware Manage Habitat and Prevent Wildfires
Though we may tend to think of fire as a force of pure destruction, it plays an important role in ecosystems. Fire clears dead underbrush and recycles nutrients into the soil, making it vital for helping both plants and animals thrive. Controlled burns, when done properly, can also reduce the risk of major wildfires.Public Hearing: Proposed Total Fish Length Regulation
The Division of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a public hearing on a proposal to establish a standardized total length measure for fisheries regulations.How Delaware Manages Deer and Crop Damage
Delaware has a long tradition of deer hunting dating back to colonial times. This practice is key to controlling the deer population, preventing the species from inflicting too much damage to crops. But when the regular hunting season isn’t enough, DNREC has additional options to help farmers.Proposed Migratory Game Bird Seasons
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife is accepting public comments on proposed options for migratory game bird hunting seasons and bag limits for the 2026 – 2027 hunting season, which opens on Sept. 1, 2026. The comment period was open through March 29, 2026. [buttonSecond Notice: Availability of Delaware Bay Shellfish Grounds for Leasing
Shellfish grounds are available for lease, located in the Delaware Bay, South of the East Line and North of the Murderkill River.DuPont Nature Center Environmental Art Showcase
The DuPont Nature Center invites artists of all ages and abilities to submit original artwork that shows us what the Delaware Bay means to you. If selected, your work will be displayed publicly at the DuPont Nature Center and returned to you at the end of the display period. The DuPont NatureAvailability of Delaware Bay Shellfish Grounds for Leasing
Shellfish grounds are available for lease, located in the Delaware Bay, South of the East Line and North of the Murderkill River.Managing Delaware’s Public Ponds
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife manages the fish populations in over 30 public ponds across the state ranging in size from 4.8 acres (Tubmill Pond) to nearly 200 acres (Lums Pond). Largemouth Bass Delaware’s public ponds are managed for moderate densities of game fish including Largemouth BassTidal Largemouth Bass Survey
Largemouth bass are the most popular freshwater sportfish in Delaware. They inhabit the freshwater portions of many tidal rivers and streams across the state. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife monitors the status of tidal bass populations in several key river systems including the Nanticoke River, Broadkill River and Marshyhope Creek.A Guide for Shoreline Residents
Residents living along Delaware’s public fishing ponds and lakes play an important role in the stewardship of the public fishing ponds and lakes managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. Waterside living offers peace, natural beauty, wildlife viewing and excellent angling opportunities. While enjoying these amenities, residents should keep in mind that theseWildlife Action Plan Citations
The following is a list of citations used in the 2025 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan. This list is also available as a downloadable PDF document. Abell, R. , et al. (2008). Freshwater ecoregions of the world: a new map of biogeographic units for freshwater biodiversity conservation. BioScience 58(5): 403-414. DOI: 10. (1641).Delaware River Atlantic Sturgeon Research
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conducts juvenile abundance surveys of Atlantic Sturgeon in the Delaware River. This survey monitors population levels and evaluates spawning success rate based on the addition of newly hatched fish entering the sturgeon population. Please report
