Live 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 Menu

Tournament Home

Tournament Rules

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Delaware 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 Menu

Tournament Home

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Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament Rules

The following rules apply to the annual Delaware Sport Fishing tournament, including the Youth Division. Sport Fishing Tournament Menu

Tournament Home

Tournament Rules

Tournament History

Tournament Youth

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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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Council on Recreational Fishing Funding

The Council on Recreational Fishing Funding was created in 2007 and serves in an advisory capacity to the Director of Fish and Wildlife. It considers matters relating to funding fishery-related projects as well as fishery-related construction priorities for the expenditure of funds generated from the sale of recreational fishing licenses. [column md=”5″

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Contact Information

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

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Operation Game Theft

This page has been updated and republished at https://dnrec.delaware.gov/nrp/fish-wildlife-unit/operation-game-theft/. Please update your

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Boating Registration

Delaware law requires the registration of all motorboats, including those powered by electric motors, if Delaware is its state of principal use. All motorboats launched from tidal access areas administered by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife must be registered in Delaware or have a valid Tidal Access Boat Ramp Certificate.

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Delaware Open Space Program

Parks, open space, natural areas, forests, wildlife habitat, greenways, and waterways are all part of Delaware’s environmental legacy – a legacy which is part of everyone’s quality of life. Delaware’s open spaces provide not only a haven for wildlife and native plants, but also a retreat and escape from the work-a-day world and an opportunity

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About Conservation Easements

A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement that allows landowners to place restrictions on the type or extent of development on their property while maintaining private ownership. Options for Landowners Conservation Easement Criteria [button type=”primary” block=”true”

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Conservation Options for Landowners

We all have that something special that connects us with our natural lands. For some, it is a favorite trail in a forest. For others, it is the beauty and wonder of a heron nesting in our wetlands. For many, it is the beauty of Delaware’s natural lands that reminds us of home.

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Delaware Open Space Council

The Delaware Open Space Council was created in 1990, with the passage of the Delaware Land Protection Act (7 Del. C. Chapter 75), to advise the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on all matters relating to the administration, implementation, and financing of the Open Space Program. [column

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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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DuPont Nature Center Events

The DuPont Nature Center offers educational programs and events from April through September. They include field excursions, lectures and hands-on activities. The DuPont Nature Center is located at the end of Lighthouse Road, at the mouth of the Mispillion River, on the Delaware Bay. For more information, call 302-422-1329. [eme_calendar full=true

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Education and Outreach

The Division of Fish and Wildlife offers a variety of educational and outreach programs, including programs designed specifically for school groups in grades K through 12. Education Facilities DuPont Nature Center at the Mispillion Harbor Reserve Aquatic Resource Education Center

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Volunteer with DNREC

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for both individuals and groups. DNREC Volunteer Calendar [modal text=”Volunteer Opportunities by Division”

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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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Boating Safety for Kids

The Office of Boating Safety and Education takes great pride in educating Delaware’s youth on boating safety. They offer several programs to get children interested in and learning about boating safety. It’s important to start early so that each youngster is the best and the most knowledgeable boater he or she is capable of becoming.

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Boating Safety Course Schedule

The Office of Boating Safety and Education and its partners offer a Basic Boating Safety Course that meets the Delaware requirement for mandatory boating education. Courses are offered by different partners. Some are one day courses, others are offered over several days. The full course must be completed to earn certification. For

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Boating Safety

The DNREC Office of Boating Safety and Education’s mission is to develop individual awareness, skills, commitment to safe responsible behavior, and constructive actions in safe boating. The goal for students is to be aware of state laws regarding safety violations and how to prevent them from happening while still enjoying Delaware’s waterways.

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Boating

Delaware’s ocean and bay waters, rivers, lakes and ponds offer opportunities for boating. Boating Safety The Office of Boating Safety and Education helps develop individual awareness, skills, commitment to safe responsible behavior, and constructive actions in safe boating. The goal for students is

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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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Get Out and Enjoy Delaware’s Great Outside

The Play Outside map from Delaware State Parks will help you find the right park, preserve, trail or playground so you can head out and play outside.

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Your Guide to Nature, Conservation and Fun

Outdoor Delaware, Delaware’s award-winning conservation magazine, is published four times each year and presents stunning photography, detailed feature articles, regular columnists, and more.

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Topic: Ocean and Coasts

Nearly 40% of of the US population lives in a coastal county. In Delaware, everyone lives in a coastal county and many of us find ourselves on or near the shore on a daily basis.

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Topic: Wetlands

A wetland is simply an area of land that is wet during the growing season. All true wetlands have three characteristics: typical wetland plants, wetland soils, and evidence that water is or can be at or near the surface. Our wetlands provide valuable service to Delaware. Wetlands purify our water. They provide habitat for rare and commercially important plants, fish and animals. And they protect us from flooding.

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Topic: Wildlife and Fish

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife manages nearly 50,000 acres of land that provides habitat for a multitude of wild plants, animals, fish, insects and rare species of all kinds. And it spearheads several important wildlife and habitat conservation and education initiatives, including the Wildlife Species Conservation and Research Program and the Delaware Shorebird Project.

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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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