2015 Delaware Fishing Guide We Bring You Delaware’S Great Outdoors Through Science and Service
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• CHECK OUT THE F&W WEBSITE: WWW.FW.DELAWARE.GOV • 2015 DELAWARE FISHING GUIDE WE BRING YOU DELAWARE’S GREAT OUTDOORS THROUGH SCIENCE AND SERVICE FISHING PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS See page 28 NEW for 2015 • Electric Lights in Tidal Waters • Fish Consumption Advisories Improve for 3 Waterways • Online Herring, Shad & Shark Identification Guides DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE WHY ENCORE BOATS? Encore Boat Builders thrives on manufacturing a good quality boat at an affordable price. Several selections of floor plans and options are available, be it for cruising or for fishing. These floor plans are available in 14-foot, 16-foot, 20-foot, 22-foot, 24-foot and 25- foot pontoons and are offered in many different color variations. The company’s goal is to produce quality boats at an affordable price with features and workmanship superior to other available models. CONTENTS FISH & WILDLIFE DIRECTORY ..........................2 ARTIFICIAL REEF PROGRAM ...........................19 2015 LICENSE FEES ................................................4 SHARKS, CLAMS, CONCHS AND OYSTERS ...20 What’s New for 2015 ............................................................. 4 Common Delaware Sharks .................................................. 20 Before You Fish ..................................................................... 4 Clamming ............................................................................ 20 Conchs ................................................................................ 20 FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION ....................5 Oysters ................................................................................ 20 Fishing License Requirements and FIN Number ................... 5 Fishing License Exemptions and Exceptions ......................... 6 BLUE CRABS ..........................................................21 GENERAL NON-TIDAL SPORT FISHING TOURNAMENT ......................22 FISHING REGULATIONS ......................................7 WHERE DO YOUR FISHING Closure of Department Ponds During Draw-Downs .............. 7 Speed and Wake of Motorboats on Division Ponds .............. 7 LICENSE DOLLARS GO? .....................................23 FRESHWATER TROUT FISHING .........................8 STATE RECORD HOLDERS ................................24 License and Stamp Requirements for Trout Fishing .............. 8 WEIGH STATIONS AND/OR BOAT RAMP Freshwater Trout Fishing ........................................................ 8 CERTIFICATE SALES .......................................25 Special Fly Fishing Only Sections (Restricted Trout Streams) ..................................................... 8 FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES ................26 Possession Limits of Trout ..................................................... 8 Designated Trout Streams ................................................... 10 FISHING PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS ...........28 Trout Stocking Schedule ..................................................... 10 BOATING SAFETY ................................................11 2015 QUICK REFERENCE .....................12 Delaware’s Recreational Season, Size and Creel Limits ...... 12 SURF FISHING ...................................................... 14 Maps for this publication were created by the Office of the Secretary’s GIS section. Fish illustrations were drawn by Duane Raver. The cover photo is from photo con- NON-TIDAL FISHING ACCESS AREAS ............ 14 test winner Amy Baldwin. A special thanks to the Delaware anglers and DNREC staff TIDAL FISHING ACCESS AREAS ......................15 who donated pictures throughout this guide. All of the information in this guide, and much more, may also be found INVASIVE SPECIES ..............................................16 on the Division’s website www.fw.delaware.gov. FISHING & CLAMMING MAPS ........................17 Doc. No. 40-05-03/14/11/01 GENERAL TIDAL FISHING REGULATIONS ...18 Striped Bass Spawning Season .......................................... 18 Circle-Hooks........................................................................ 18 New Striped Bass Measures ............................................... 18 “F.I.N.” NUMBER “F.I.N.” NUMBER American Shad and Hickory Shad....................................... 18 River Herring ........................................................................ 18 Summer Flounder ................................................................ 19 Electric Lights ...................................................................... 19 NAME NAME Courtesy Docks ................................................................... 19 FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE How does the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s agement and restoration. Fisheries science is used to manage fish new guiding slogan We Bring You Delaware’s populations and size distributions at sustainable levels through fish Great Outdoors through Science and Service size and possession limits and fishing seasons for the benefit of cur- result in a successful and enjoyable fishing trip? rent and future anglers. We Bring You Delaware’s Great Outdoors Service defines and guides our commitment to you as our angler involves your Division of Fish and Wildlife customer. Our services include managing fish populations and provid- working for you to provide opportunities for ing fishing and boating access areas, aquatic education and fishing successful fishing experiences in Delaware’s license sales. Fishing license sales generate the funds to help pay scenic and varied fishing destinations. We for these services that provide you a quality fishing experience in manage and restore a variety of fish popula- Delaware’s great outdoors. tions to provide you quality fishing opportunities. We help you access As an avid Delaware angler for many years, I hope to see you on the these fish resources by providing numerous quality boat ramps and water. Wishing you “tight lines” this fishing season… shoreline fishing areas throughout the state. Science defines and guides how we approach fish population man- David E. Saveikis 2015 DELAWARE FISHING GUIDE 1 FISH & WILDLIFE DIRECTORY • CHECK OUT THE F&W WEBSITE : WWW.FW.DELAWARE.GOV • 2015 STATE OF DELAWARE DELAWARE Jack A. Markell FISHING GUIDE Governor WE BRING YOU DELAWARE’S GREAT OUTDOORS THROUGH SCIENCE AND SERVICE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FISHING PHOTO AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL CONTEST David S. Small WINNERS Secretary See page 28 NEW for 2015 • Electric Lights in Tidal Waters DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE • Fish Consumption Advisories Improve • Online Herring, Shad & Shark Identification Guides David E. Saveikis DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL Director DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE ADVISORY ADVISORY ADVISORY ADVISORY COUNCIL ON COUNCIL ON COUNCIL ON COUNCIL ON About this Guide WILDLIFE & TIDAL FIN RECREATIONAL SHELL FISHERIES This high-quality regulation guide is offered to you FRESHWATER FISHERIES FISHING Leonard Voss, Jr., FISH Dr. Dewayne Fox, FUNDING Chair by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources Edward A. Montague, Chair Bernard L. Pankowski, Steven Copp and Environmental Control through its unique Chair Brian Hoffecker Chair Patrick M. Gaffney partnership with J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC. Garrett L. Grier, Jr., Marvin M. Kahl, Jr. David A. Russell, Richard S. Hand, Jr. Vice Chair James G. Little Vice Chair Virgilio Pacelli J.F. Griffin is an award winning publishing house Raymond F. Burris Bernard L. Pankowski Ralph William Baker Paul Satterfield that specializes in producing state fish & wildlife John Neal Dukes Joseph A. Smith Eric B. Burnley, Sr., Robert G Thompson regulation books. J.F. Griffin supports DNREC’s staff Joe C. Johnson P. Wes Townsend Ronald L. Horton in the design, layout and editing of the guides. They Craig A. Karsnitz Floyd Morton III also manage the marketing and sales of advertising Steven M. Kendus Douglas M. Valentine to appropriate businesses within the book. Robert C. Nichols Terry D. Ratliff The revenue generated through ad sales significantly lowers production costs and generates State and Federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion savings. These savings translate into additional and/or disability. Complaints or inquiries should be directed to: Personnel Office, Department of Natural funds for other important fisheries programs. Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. If you have any feedback or are interested in This summary is for the convenience of the sportsman and is not intended to cover all fishing laws and advertising, please contact us at 413.884.1001 regulations. For specific provisions, reference should be made to Title 7, Delaware Code. When federal and or online at www.JFGriffin.com state laws conflict, the law which is more restrictive governs. Designers: Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, FOR THE ACTUAL WORDING OF THE FISHERIES STATUTES AND REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS A WIDE VARIETY Evelyn Haddad, Erin Murphy, OF OTHER INFORMATION, VISIT THE DIVISION’S WEBSITE AT www.fw.delaware.gov Chris Sobolowski Cover image by Amy Baldwin DIRECTORY DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE - Ramp Certificates .............................(302) 739-9916 WWW.FW.DELAWARE.GOV Boat Registration ..............................(302) 739-9916 F.I.N. number .................................... (800) 432-9228 F.I.N. Helpline.....................................(866)