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Fishing in Delaware
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Fishing regulations in Delaware
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in Delaware can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Striped bass as of April 2nd, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Seasons
Bag limit
Min size
Max size
Measurement
Catch and release only on spawning grounds April 1 - May 31. The spawning season for striped bass in Delaware begins at 12:01 a.m. on April 1 and continues through midnight on May 31. It is unlawful for any person to take and retain any striped bass during the spawning season from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries, the Delaware River and its tributaries to the north of a line extending due east beginning at and including the south jetty at the mouth of the C & D Canal, or the C & D Canal or its tributaries. Catch and release only during this season; no harvest is allowed.
In DE River, DE Bay and their tributaries only 20 inch to 24 inch striped bass may be retained from July 1 - August 31.
Harvest of Striped Bass from Federal Waters is prohibited.
You must use an inline circle hook while using bait to fish for striped bass. For more information, see Striped Bass and Circle Hooks
Morone saxatilis
Regulations for
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