• CHECK OUT THE F&W WEBSITE: WWW.FW.DELAWARE.GOV • 2019 DELAWARE FISHING GUIDE FISHING PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS See page 32 NEW for 2019 • New Cobia Record Follow us on • Five Elite Anglers named Facebook! • Possible start time change for trout stream opener DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE “We Bring You Delaware’s Great Outdoors Through Science and Service” AMERICA’S #1 AMERICA’S... selling aluminum shing boats. #1 ... selling aluminum shing boats. Everything But The Water Everything But The Water 32415 Long Neck Road We are the exclusive Millsboro32415 Long , DE Neck 19966 Road WeAuthorized are the exclusive Tracker 302.945.1200Millsboro , DE 19966 Authorized Tracker 302.945.1200 Boats dealer on WWW.SHORTSMARINE.COM lowerBoats Delmarva. dealer on WWW.SHORTSMARINE.COM lower Delmarva. CONTENTS FISH & WILDLIFE DIRECTORY ..........................2 ARTIFICIAL REEF PROGRAM ...........................19 2019 LICENSE FEES ................................................4 ETHICAL CATCH AND RELEASE What’s New for 2019 ............................................................. 4 OF SHARKS ...........................................................20 Before You Fish ..................................................................... 4 BLUE CRAB, CLAMS, CONCHS & OYSTERS .... 22 FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION ....................5 Blue Crabs ........................................................................... 22 Fishing License Requirements and FIN Number ................... 5 Clamming ............................................................................ 22 Fishing License Exemptions and Exceptions ......................... 6 Conchs ................................................................................ 22 Fishing License Dollars .......................................................... 6 Oysters ................................................................................ 22 GENERAL NON-TIDAL SHARKS .................................................................23 FISHING REGULATIONS ......................................7 Closure of Department Ponds During Draw-Downs .............. 7 SPORT FISHING TOURNAMENT ......................24 Speed and Wake of Motorboats on Division Ponds .............. 7 SPORT FISHING TOURNAMENT UPDATES ...26 FRESHWATER TROUT FISHING .........................8 YOUTH FISHING ..................................................26 License and Stamp Requirements for Trout Fishing .............. 8 33rd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament ............................... 27 Freshwater Trout Fishing ........................................................ 8 2019 “Take a Kid Fishing!” Program ................................. 27 Special Fly Fishing Only Section (Restricted Trout Stream) ....................................................... 8 STATE RECORD HOLDERS ................................28 Possession Limits of Trout ..................................................... 8 Designated Trout Streams ................................................... 10 WEIGH STATIONS AND/OR BOAT RAMP Tentative Trout Stocking Schedule ...................................... 10 CERTIFICATE SALES ...........................................29 BOATING SAFETY ................................................11 FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES ................30 2019 QUICK REFERENCE .....................12 FISHING PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS ...........32 Delaware’s Recreational Season, Size and Creel Limits SURF FISHING ...................................................... 14 NON-TIDAL FISHING ACCESS AREAS ............ 14 TIDAL FISHING ACCESS AREAS ......................15 Maps for this publication were created by the Department of Technology BE AWARE & Information. Fish illustrations were drawn by Duane Raver. The cover Invasive Species .................................................................. 16 photo is from photo contest winner Israel Mora. A special thanks to the Shellfish Aquaculture — Inland Bays ................................... 16 Delaware anglers, our friends at NOAA-NMFS, the ASMFC, and DNREC staff who donated pictures throughout this guide. FISHING & CLAMMING MAPS ........................17 GENERAL TIDAL FISHING REGULATIONS ...18 “F.I.N.” NUMBER “F.I.N.” NUMBER Striped Bass Spawning Season .......................................... 18 Circle-Hooks........................................................................ 18 American Shad and Hickory Shad....................................... 18 River Herring ........................................................................ 18 NAME NAME Summer Flounder ................................................................ 19 Electric Lights ...................................................................... 19 Courtesy Docks ................................................................... 19 FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE Fishing on Delaware’s picturesque Anglers should recognize that the quality of fishing is made pos- waters is an enjoyable way to relax sible with the help of these rules and regulations, whether to allow a away from daily distractions. For fish to grow to spawning size to produce the next generation of fish other anglers, fishing is a chal- or to manage the number of fish to keep the population stable and lenge, trying new methods, pursu- accessible to all. We thank anglers for their conservation ethic that ing different or the largest fish, or helps provide quality fishing for today and the future. competing against other anglers. The Division of Fish & Wildlife is committed to providing quality No matter why or how you fish, fishing opportunities by managing sustainable fish populations, as We anglers need to be aware of the Bring You Delaware’s Great Outdoors through Science and Service. rules and regulations that apply to As an avid Delaware angler for many years, I hope to see you on the fish they are pursuing. the water. “Tight lines” this fishing season… Some anglers claim that there are too many rules and regulations that restrict fishing seasons and the size and how many fish they can keep. It can be frustrating to have to release a fish that is only a half inch below the legal size limit, or to release a trophy fish that is caught during a closed season. David E. Saveikis 2019 DELAWARE FISHING GUIDE 1 FISH & WILDLIFE DIRECTORY STATE OF DELAWARE John C. Carney Jr. Governor DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL Shawn M. Garvin Secretary Williamstown, MA | Birmingham, AL DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE David E. Saveikis Director ADVISORY ADVISORY ADVISORY ADVISORY COUNCIL ON COUNCIL ON COUNCIL ON COUNCIL ON About This Guide WILDLIFE & TIDAL FIN RECREATIONAL SHELL FISHERIES FRESHWATER FISHERIES FISHING Leonard Voss, Jr., FISH Dr. Dewayne Fox, FUNDING Chair This high-quality guide is offered to you Edward A. Montague, Chair Bernard L. Pankowski, Steven Copp by the Delaware Department of Natural Chair Brian Hoffecker Chair Patrick M. Gaffney Resources and Environmental Control Garrett L. Grier, Jr., Marvin M. Kahl, Jr. David A. Russell, Richard S. Hand, Jr. through its unique partnership with J.F. Vice Chair James G. Little Vice Chair Virgilio Pacelli Griffin Publishing, LLC. Raymond F. Burris Bernard L. Pankowski Ralph William Baker Paul Satterfield John Neal Dukes Joseph A. Smith Eric B. Burnley, Sr. Vacant The revenue generated through ad sales Joe C. Johnson Richard Carlisle P. Wes Townsend significantly lowers production costs and Craig A. Karsnitz Loren C. Evans Steven M. Kendus Hon. Ronald Gray generates savings. These savings translate Dale R. Scuse Hon. Gerald Hocker into additional funds for other important F. Thomas Unruh Ronald L. Horton agency programs. If you have any feedback or are inter- State and Federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion and/or disability. Complaints or inquiries should be directed to: Personnel Office, Department of Natural ested in advertising, please contact us at Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. 413.884.1001 or at www.JFGriffin.com This summary is for the convenience of the sportsman and is not intended to cover all fishing laws and Graphic Design: regulations. For specific provisions, reference should be made to Title 7, Delaware Code and Delaware Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, John Corey, Administrative Code. When federal and state laws conflict, the law which is more restrictive governs. Evelyn Haddad, Chris Sobolowski FOR THE ACTUAL WORDING OF THE FISHERIES STATUTES AND REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS A WIDE VARIETY OF OTHER INFORMATION, VISIT THE DIVISION’S WEBSITE AT www.fw.delaware.gov DIRECTORY DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE - GENERAL INFORMATION WWW.FW.DELAWARE.GOV Freshwater Trout Program ...............(302) 739-9914 F.I.N. number .................................... (800) 432-9228 Non-tidal Fishing ....(302) 735-2960 / (302) 735-8650 F.I.N. Helpline.....................................(866) 447-4626 Tidal Fishing......... (302) 739-9914 / (302) 735-2960 Fisheries Section, Dover ..................(302) 739-9914 Fish Consumption Advisories .........(302) 739-9914 Fisheries Field Offices Division Public Health .......................(302) 744-4546 Little Creek .................................. (302) 735-2960 Artificial Reef Program .................... (302) 735-2960 Woodland Beach ........................ (302) 735-8650 Fishing / Boating Access Areas ......(302) 739-9914 Aquatic