Delaware 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.

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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 Menu

Tournament Home

Tournament Rules

Tournament History

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Delaware 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.

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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 and

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Contact Information

Patrick J. Emory, Director 89 Kings HighwayDover, DE 19901302-739-9910patrick.emory@delaware.gov

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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 Highway

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Questions 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.

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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 the

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Fish 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 Fee

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Exemptions 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 Note: Exempt anglers are

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Recreational 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. Go to Digital DNREC

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Public Hearing: Proposed Revisions to the Non-Tidal Finfish Regulations

The DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife will conduct a public hearing (Docket #2019-R-F-0031) on proposed revisions to the Non-Tidal Finfish Regulations to extend the defined Designated Trout Waters on Pike Creek downstream to the bridge at Kirkwood Highway.

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Delaware Trout Stamp Contest Rules

The next Delaware Trout Stamp Art Contest will take place during the week of Aug. 17, 2026 when judges will be scheduled to review the artwork. Contest Rules Summary Here are the basics. Please see the 2026 Stamp Art Contest Artist Agreement and Contest Entry Form for a full

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Delaware’s Trout Stamp Program

The DNREC Freshwater Trout Program is supported by funds derived from the state’s trout stamp program. Anglers fishing for trout have been required to purchase a Delaware Trout Stamp since 1955. Today, fees paid by anglers for trout stamps provide DNREC with an average of $50,000 annually to purchase trout from commercial hatcheries. Stamp revenues

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Winning Trout Stamp Contest Entries

The winning entries for the 2026 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 2026 Delaware Trout Stamp will feature a painting of a brown trout by Charles Wurst of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mr. Wurst received $250

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Bass Tournament Reporting Form

Thank you for reporting on the results of your tournament. Please answer all of the questions below. If a question doesn’t apply to your bass tournament, please enter “N/A” in that field. Please make sure you include your contact information, including phone numbers and e-mail. If you have any questions, please

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Outdoor Enthusiasts

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control offers information and programs for hunters, anglers, bird-watchers, campers, bikers, hikers, swimmers and people who like to lie on their backs in the grass and gaze up at the clouds. Choose Your State Park Alapocas Run State Park

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Boating or Fishing Event Application

A boating/fishing event permit from DNREC’s Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police is required for safety reasons when holding an event on the water. Permit Required by Law

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Small Pond Angling

In addition to Delaware’s many state-owned freshwater fishing ponds, there are nine small ponds, most geared toward bank fishing and most managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. They are ideal for beginners and youth angling. Find a Small Pond 

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Delaware’s Public Freshwater Fishing Ponds

More than 30 Delaware freshwater lakes and ponds are open for fishing and other recreation. These impoundments, most of them managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, range in size from five to 189 acres. They support a variety of gamefish. Find full information about each of these ponds using

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Fish Monitoring via Electrofisher

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife uses electrofishing to safely sample fish populations in a variety of water bodies. Electrofishing is one of the most efficient sampling methods available to fisheries biologists. It uses an electric current to temporarily stun fish. This lets biologists sample and survey fish populations with minimal disturbance and risk

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Report a Tagged Largemouth Bass

The Division of Fish and Wildlife monitors largemouth bass in Delaware rivers to help maintain a sustainable bass population and provide recreational fishing opportunities. Reports from anglers about the tagged bass they catch are an important part of the effort. Bass are tagged when the Division conducts fish

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Conservation Access Pass

DNREC’s Conservation Access Pass provides needed funding to help the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife maintain and improve public access, facilities, and wildlife habitat on State Wildlife Areas. [modal text=”Where Can You Get Yours?” title=”Get your Pass online or in person” xclass=”btn btn-primary

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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 – DNREC page and the updated DNREC Fisheries Section

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Topic: Outdoors and Recreation

Delaware is rich in natural beauty. Its landscape ranges from the rolling hills of New Castle County, through the coastal marshes and river systems of Kent County, to the woodlands and beaches of Sussex County.

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