Pages Tagged With: "fishing"
Boating and Fishing Access Locations
Fishing access locations in the State of Delaware include locations on the Atlantic Ocean, the Delaware Estuary, and several rivers and ponds. The access areas shown on the map on this page include both state-owned and municipal-owned areas. Please be aware of any boat ramp fees or permits thatWhat Fish Die-Offs Mean for Delaware and How DNREC Handles Them
As part of its duties overseeing Delaware’s environment and wildlife, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control regularly responds to fish kills. These die-offs can occur in bodies of water as disparate as an ocean or a neighborhood stormwater basin and can consist of just a few fish or literal millions.Fly Fishing Lessons
Anglers aged 16 and older can learn about, and gain skills in, the increasingly popular sport of fly-fishing by attending free fly-fishing lessons for adults at the DNREC Aquatic Resources Education Center in Smyrna.Contact Us
Youth Fishing Programs
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife offers free fishing lessons, aquatic adventures and explorations of the Delaware Bay for children and young teens. Once they are hooked on fishing, they can try one of Delaware’s kid-friendly fishing ponds for a great day at the water’s edge. KidsDivision of Fish and Wildlife
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on approximately 68,000 acres of public land. The division oversees wildlife resource conservation and control of mosquito populations and offers hunter, boating and aquatic education programs. It provides licensesDivision of Parks and Recreation
The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 20,000 acres in 17 state parks, manages state nature preserves, and monitors conservation easements protecting more than 4,000 acres of land. The division preserves cultural and historic resources, from a Civil War-era fort to elegant estates. And it provides a wide variety of recreational andArtificial Reef Guide Requests
DNREC publishes the Delaware Reef Guide to provide information about the state’s artificial reef sites. The Guide is available for download in PDF format. A limited number of printed copies are available as well. Use the request form below to request a copy by mail. Please include yourPublic Hearing: Non-Tidal Finfish Regulations
The Division of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a public hearing on proposed revisions to the Non-Tidal Finfish Regulations to increase trout fishing opportunities in Delaware.Reporting Fish Kills
A fish kill is a sudden, unexpected die-off of fish in a specific location. It is important to report fish kills right away. Evidence dissipates quickly; delays can make it harder to determine the cause. Signs of a Fish Kill: DeadCOVID Relief Funding for Saltwater Fishery-Related Businesses
Delaware has received nearly $3 million in relief funding from the federal government to distribute to eligible saltwater fishery-related businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Applications for relief funds were accepted through March 17, 2022.Contact Us
What We Do About Animal Strandings in Delaware
An endangered fin whale was spotted struggling in the waters of Cape Henlopen State Park. Both the Delaware Natural Resources Police and the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute responded. Learn what happened and how we respond to animal strandings in Delaware.How to Stay Safe on the Water
Delaware’s waterways are packed with boat traffic this summer. Here are some tips and requirements you need to know to stay safe and enjoy your nautical adventures in the First State.Report Atlantic Sturgeon
You can help DNREC research and manage the local population of Atlantic sturgeon, a rare and endangered fish. Simply use our reporting form to let us know of any interactions you have with this fish.Four Tips for Fishing with Young Anglers
Fishing is a great activity for young people to jump-start interest in the natural environment. Our staff agree, there is no time like the present to encourage the next generation of environmental stewards.From Phragmites Part-Timer to a Wildlife Management Career, Thanks Delaware!
Former Division of Fish and Wildlife Regional Manager Bill Jones reflects on 34 years in state service and his progress from a part-time job to a career in wildlife management.Wildlife Enthusiasts – Check Out Improved Access to the Bayshore!
Enjoy birding, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, taking photographs or just watching wildlife in their natural habitats when you visit the Delaware Bayshore. It doesn’t take much effort to find your favorite spot to enjoy some time outdoors.Everything Including the Kitchen “Sink” — Delaware’s Artificial Reefs
Over 20 years, Delaware has recycled more than two million tons of rock, 100,000 tons of concrete, 86 tanks and armored personnel carriers, 1,329 retired subway cars and 27 retired vessels to create new, artificial reefs.Virtual Public Hearing: Striped Bass Size Limits and Possession Limits
The Division of Fish & Wildlife will conduct a public hearing (Docket #2020-R-F-0015) on proposed revisions to the regulations governing recreational fishing for Striped Bass.Amendments to State Bluefish Regulations (7 DE Admin. Code 3516)
DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin has signed an Order to amend the state’s Bluefish regulations that changes the daily possession limits for anglers.Hunting and Fishing Guides, Seasons and Maps
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife manages approximately 68,000 acres of Delaware land at 19 public wildlife areas that provide hunting opportunities as well as habitat for a variety of species. The state features a wide variety of fishing opportunities for every angler, from the Delaware River and Bay to the ocean, to numerousFreshwater Trout Fishing
DNREC’s freshwater trout program is a self-supporting put-and-take fishery. Rainbow, brown and/or brook trout are stocked in selected streams in New Castle County and in selected ponds in Kent and Sussex counties. Basic Requirements No minimum size. Four fish per day in fly-fishingAngler Alert: Snakeheads
The Northern Snakehead (Channa argus), a fish native to China and Russia, has become a problem invasive species in several states, including Delaware. Anyone who catches a snakehead in Delaware is encouraged to kill it and notify the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Snakehead(Image by Susan Trammel-USGS) Snakeheads wereArtificial Reef Program
Delaware has 14 permitted artificial reef sites in Delaware Bay and along the Atlantic Coast. Cleaned and stable construction materials, boats, and subway cars create new habitat. They support expanded recreational fishing and diving. DevelopmentInvasive Aquatic Species
Delaware, along with other states in the Mid-Atlantic Region, has been invaded by non-native aquatic species that pose a threat to native species, to ecological processes, and to the economy. An invasive species is a non-native species whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmentalResearch and Monitoring
Biologists from the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife keep track of the state’s fish populations. They work on Delaware’s rivers, ponds, estuaries, the Delaware Bay and in coastal waters and study how different species are faring. What Fisheries Biologists Do Fisheries Biologist John Clark tagged this 54.8-pound striperResources for Delaware Pond Owners
Many small “farm” ponds in Delaware provide important recreational opportunities. Children may catch their first bluegill from such a pond. Ponds provide aesthetic beauty, irrigation, fire safety in rural areas, and wildlife habitat.Contact Us
Fisheries Office 302-735-8650
Gamefish and Freshwater Fishing Restrictions
Gamefish are found in either tidal or non-tidal freshwater in Delaware. Gamefish taken from Delaware waters cannot legally be sold, traded or bartered unless authorized by permit. Black Crappie Gamefish Species Include: Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Black Crappie White Crappie Rock Bass White Bass Walleye
Largemouth Bass Tournaments
Largemouth Bass fishing tournaments are popular in Delaware’s public ponds and tidal rivers. Most events are held between April and November. Data collected during the tournaments is useful to biologists that manage bass populations. Get a Tournament Permit Bass Tournament ReportingAquatic Plants and Herbicides
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife gets many questions about aquatic plant problems in small ponds. White-waterlily (Nymphaea odorata) Aquatic plants provide habitat for fish and small pond creatures. According to biologists, plant cover between 20 and 40 percent is ideal for warmwater gamefish such as largemouth bass,Public Hearing: Including Cobia in the Tidal Finfish Regulations
The Division of Fish & Wildlife will conduct a public hearing on proposed revisions to the Tidal Finfish regulations to include a new section on Cobia (Rachycentron canadum).Public Hearing: Striped Bass Spawning Season and Area Restrictions
The Division of Fish & Wildlife will conduct a public hearing (Docket #2019-R-F-0026) on on February 26, 2020, on proposed revisions to the regulations governing Striped Bass Spawning Seasons and Area Restrictions.Shellfish Aquaculture
The Division of Fish and Wildlife makes acreage in the Inland Bays available for leases for shellfish aquaculture.Contact Us
Zina Hense Environmental Scientist 302-739-4782
History of the Sport Fishing Tournament
The Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament began in the late 1930s when the Board of Game and Fish Commissioners arranged a fishing contest. They wanted to increase interest in fresh and saltwater hook-and-line fishing in Delaware. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuTournament Sizes
This page lists the minimum weights and lengths for fish to be eligible for the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament. Information on state records for freshwater and saltwater catches is also available. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuCollectible Lapel Pins
Anglers who make record trophy catches in the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament are awarded collectible lapel pins to mark their achievements. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuTournament Youth Division
The Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament has added a Youth Division for anglers aged fifteen and younger. There is also a Youth Division of the Live Release Award program. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuLive Release Entry Form
The Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament includes awards for catching and releasing eligible species. The Live Release Award is open to both adult and youth anglers. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuDelaware Sport Fishing Tournament
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife sponsors the annual Sport Fishing Tournament to promote recreational fishing in Delaware. The tournament recognizes both young and adult anglers for outstanding catches. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuDelaware Sport Fishing Tournament Rules
The following rules apply to the annual Delaware Sport Fishing tournament, including the Youth Division. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuDelaware Elite Anglers
Delaware’s Elite Anglers are the select few who have received Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament citations for five different species within one calendar year. A once-in-a lifetime award, the Delaware Elite Angler is the most esteemed level of angling accomplishment that the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife recognizes.Tournament Weigh Stations
There are official Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament weigh stations throughout the state where anglers can have their catch weighed. Sport Fishing Tournament MenuDelaware Fishing Records
This page lists each current Delaware record fish as well as the anglers who hooked, fought and landed them. Eighteen freshwater species and thirty saltwater species of trophy fish have been recognized as state records in Delaware. These fish are the largest specimens documented to have been caught by rod and reel.Fish and Wildlife Advisory Councils
Delaware state law establishes several councils to advise the Director of Fish and Wildlife on matters relating to fisheries, recreational fishing, wildlife and hunting, and shell fisheries. The Division is also part of the Delaware Native Species Commission. Advisory Council on Wildlife andContact Information
Patrick J. Emory, Director 89 Kings HighwayDover, DE 19901302-739-9910patrick.emory@delaware.gov Frequently-Called Phone Numbers Boat Registration: 302-739-9916 Recreational Licenses, Permits, Passes, and Stamps: 302-739-9918 Boater Education: 302-739-9915 Hunter Education: 302-735-3600 (Ext. 1) Nuisance Wildlife: 302-735-3600 Report Fishing Violations: 1-800-523-3336 Operation Game Theft: 1-800-292-3030
Fish and Wildlife License Agents
Hunting and fishing licenses, and conservation access passes (CAP), can be purchased at the following authorized licensing agents. Some agents only sell fishing licenses while others sell only hunting licenses and conservation access passes. Licenses also can be purchased online or at the licensing desk inside DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building, at 89 Kings HighwayQuestions and Answers: Delaware Fishing Licenses
The following are many of the questions that have come in about fishing licenses in Delaware. If you have a question, and don’t find the answer here, please send us an email at DFWRecLic@delaware.gov.Low Number License Lottery
DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will not hold a low-number hunting license lottery for the 2020/21 hunting season. Please check back for lottery information about the 2021/22 licensing season. For more information, Delaware residents can contact Danielle Davis, Division of Fish and Wildlife License Program Coordinator, at 302-739-9918, between theFish and Wildlife License Fees
Information on fees for licenses, registrations, permits, and passes from the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. Delaware Resident Non-Resident Agent FeeExemptions and Exceptions
Delaware state law and Delaware’s fishing and hunting regulations provide several exemptions and exceptions to the state’s fishing and hunting licensing requirements. The following are exempt from fishing license requirements: Surf Fishing Permits [column md=”6″ xclass=”col-xs-12Recreational Licensing
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife offers licenses, permits, stamps, and passes for recreational fishing and hunting, and for the use of Delaware Wildlife Areas.Contact Us
Trisha Virdin Licensing Coordinator 302-739-9918
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