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.
There are trails, parks, and natural areas to wander. There are waterways for boating, fishing and swimming. There are woodlands to hike and hunt. And there are both ocean beaches and bay-shore beaches, for lounging, surfing and swimming. Outdoor recreation is an important part of the Delaware lifestyle. It is an important part of the state’s economic vitality.
DNREC manages various types of public lands to provide outdoor recreation opportunities. The agency helps protect clean water and habitat for fish and other aquatic creatures. DNREC staff help manage wildlife and fisheries enjoyed by hunters, anglers, birders and others.
And DNREC’s Outdoor Delaware magazine provides quarterly updates and features about the outdoor life in the First State.
Fishing is one of the most popular outdoor recreational activities in Delaware. The state features a wide variety of fishing opportunities for every angler, from the Delaware River and Bay, to the ocean, to numerous ponds, streams, rivers, and tidal creeks. The weekly Delaware Fishing Report is one of the most popular web pages on the DNREC web site. The Delaware Fishing Guide (también disponible en español) provides more information, including information on the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s 28 tidal fishing and boating access sites, 11 artificial reef sites, and 39 freshwater ponds accessible to the public.
Other resources for anglers:
Hunting and Fishing License Agent Information
Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing Licenses
Facts on the more than 180 species of fish and shellfish that may be found in Delaware waters
The Indian River Marina Fishing Report (Delaware State Parks)
Detailed information on Delaware Public Fishing Ponds
The Division of Fish and Wildlife manages over 62,000 acres of Delaware land at 19 public wildlife areas that provide hunting opportunities as well as habitat for a variety of species. Much of this land, and many acres of private land, provide hunting during a number of seasons. More information is found in the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Other resources for hunters:
Information about the new Conservation Access Pass
Hunting and Fishing License Agent Information
Wildlife Area Hunting Maps and Regulations
Pistol-Caliber Rifles for Deer Hunting
Delaware Master Hunter Program
There’s more to do out of doors in Delaware than just hunting and fishing. Delaware’s many state parks, wildlife areas, reserves, and outdoor educational centers offer beaches, woods, waters, trails, events, camping and cabins and more. Delawareans enjoy boating and hiking, bicycling, bird-watching and many other activities:
Read up on what’s out there in Delaware’s Outdoor Delaware magazine
Visit one of Delaware’s many state parks
Find parks, natural areas, trails and more with the Play Outside app from Delaware State Parks
Buy Annual Park Passes and Surf Fishing Permits
Take advantage of one of the many Delaware Wildlife Areas
Find information about the Delaware Conservation Access Pass
Get answers to some of the most-asked questions about plant life in Delaware from the Flora of Delaware database (University of Delaware)
Visit the St. Jones Reserve and the Blackbird Creek Reserve of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR)
See what’s happening at the reserves
Stop by the DuPont Nature Center, at the Mispillion Harbor Reserve, or the Aquatic Resources Education Center, at Woodland Beach Wildlife Area
Become an outdoors-woman with the Delaware’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program
Learn about Boating Safety in Delaware and Boat Registration
To make illegal hunting and fishing complaints, contact the Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police: 800-523-3336
Or contact Operation GameTheft: 800-292-3030
For information about Delaware Parks and Recreation: 302-739-9200
For information about fishing, contact the Delaware Fisheries Section: 302-739-9914
For information about wildlife preservation and about hunting, contact the Delaware Wildlife Section: 302-739-9912
For information on licenses for fishing, hunting and trapping, contact the Outreach, Licensing and Grants Management Section: 302-739-9918
For information about boat registration, boat ramp certificates and commercial fisheries, contact the Boating Registration office: 302-739-9916
For information about Delaware’s estuaries, contact the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve: 302-739-6377
For information on education resources dealing with wetlands, fishing, horseshoe crabs and other aquatic themes, contact the Aquatic Resources Education Center: 302-735-8652
Meetings of the Division of Fish and Wildlife
Regulations Governing State Parks (7 DE Admin. Code 9201)
Regulations Governing Natural Areas and Nature Preserves (7 DE Admin. Code 9202)
Boating (7 DE Admin. Code 3100)
Horseshoe Crab Regulations (7 DE Admin. Code 3200)
Tidal Finfish (7 DE Admin. Code 3500)
Non-Tidal Finfish (7 DE Admin. Code 3300)
Shellfish (7 DE Admin. Code 3700)
Shellfish Aquaculture (7 DE Admin. Code 3800)
Wildlife (7 DE Admin. Code 3900)
Related Topics: biking, coast, fishing, get involved, hiking, hunting, ocean, outdoors and recreation, parks, topic, volunteer
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