Delaware
saltwater rules

Q: Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Delaware?

One annual Delaware fishing license covers freshwater, saltwater, crabbing and clamming. Anglers 16 and older need it unless exempt.

Q: How far out do Delaware state waters go?

3 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line Delaware DNREC sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council sets the federal rules, and where Delaware has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

Q: What if a fish is not listed for Delaware?

Delaware sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No daily limit. Season: Open year-round. Delaware sets size/creel limits only for species listed in its tidal finfish regulations; the 2026 guide states no default rule for unlisted species — no state limits apply, but license and federal HMS rules may.

Q: Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Q: How current are these Delaware rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Oct 29, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

Delaware DNREC sets the rules inside Delaware’s state waters, out to 3 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council writes the federal rules.

Nearby waters: New Jersey · Maryland

67 species with a rule on file, checked Oct 29, 2026. 15 of them carry a federal-waters rule because Delaware lists none of its own; those rows say so. Every row names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

Albacore

Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-10-28
Alewife

River herring, Buckie Alosa pseudoharengus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed - no harvest permitted

Put it back

River herring (alewife and blueback) fisheries are closed to harvest.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
American Eel

Yellow eel, Silver eel Anguilla rostrata

Size
9 in min

Bag
25 per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
American Shad

Alosa sapidissima

Size
No size limit

Bag
2 · Nanticoke River: none

Season
Open year-round except Nanticoke River and tributaries (closed)

Check

No harvest in the Nanticoke River and its tributaries. Elsewhere in Delaware's tidal waters: 2 American shad, no size limit.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus thynnus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73"

Bag
2 per vessel per day through Dec 31, 2026 (only 1 of 47–<73") · 1 per vessel per day from Jan 1, 2027 (NOAA's default unless it announces a change)

Season
Open under in-season limits

Open

HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish. Trophy (73"+) quotas are set by area (Gulf of Maine, Southern New England, south of 39°18′ N, Gulf of America); all four are closed for 2026 and reopen Jan 1, 2027. In the Gulf of America no bluefin under 73" may be kept.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Atlantic Butterfish

Dollarfish Peprilus triacanthus

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

Federally managed but no recreational size or possession limits.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Atlantic Cod

Codfish Gadus morhua

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
No retention

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

Federal waters in the Southern New England / Mid-Atlantic cod area: no retention since June 30, 2026 (NOAA). State waters may differ.
NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Atlantic Croaker

Hardhead Micropogonias undulatus

Size
8 in min

Bag
50 per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29 · likely
Atlantic Mackerel

Boston mackerel, Tinker (small) Scomber scombrus

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire)

Season
All year

Open

Mode-specific limits raised from 20 fish in 2026 under MSB Framework Adjustment 17 (NOAA species page updated Aug 2026).
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 additional per angler beyond shark aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Each angler may keep 1 Atlantic sharpnose in addition to the one-shark aggregate.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No harvest permitted

Put it back

Endangered species - no harvest permitted.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Bigeye Tuna

Thunnus obesus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
27 in curved fork length min

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Federal rule in all Atlantic and Gulf waters; the boat needs an HMS Angling permit. Head off: at least 27 in from the forward edge of the cut to the fork.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked 2026-10-28
Black Drum

Drum Pogonias cromis

Size
16 in min

Bag
3 per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Black Sea Bass

Sea bass Centropristis striata

Size
12.5 in min

Bag
15 per day

Season
May 1 - Dec 31

Open

2026-27 rules cut minimum from 13 to 12.5 in, opened May 1, and dropped the October in-season closure; same rules apply in adjacent federal waters.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Blacknose Shark

Carcharhinus acronotus

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Open year-round

Open

No minimum size; counts toward the one-shark aggregate.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Non-offset corrodible circle hooks required when bait fishing for sharks.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
99" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Blue Shark

Blue dog Prionace glauca

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Blueback Herring

River herring Alosa aestivalis

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
Closed - no harvest permitted

Put it back

River herring (alewife and blueback) fisheries are closed to harvest.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Bluefish

Chopper, Snapper blue Pomatomus saltatrix

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 per day (7 from charter/headboat)

Season
Open year-round

Open

3-fish note does not apply in DE; shore/private-vessel anglers get 5, for-hire anglers 7.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Blueline Tilefish

Caulolatilus microps

Size
No size limit

Bag
3 per day private vessel (5 uninspected for-hire, 7 inspected for-hire)

Season
May 1 - Oct 31

Open

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No harvest permitted

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 additional per angler beyond shark aggregate

Season
Open year-round

Open

Each angler may keep 1 bonnethead in addition to the one-shark aggregate.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus perezii

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No harvest permitted

Put it back

Prohibited species - must be released immediately to maximize survival.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Clearnose Skate

Brier skate Rostroraja eglanteria

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

Clearnose, little, rosette, and winter skates open with no limits; barndoor, smooth, and thorny skates are prohibited.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28 · likely
Cobia

Ling, Lemonfish Rachycentron canadum

Size
43 in min

Bag
2 per day (max 2 per vessel)

Season
Open year-round

Open

2 per angler per day or trip, whichever is longer; vessel limit 2.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Common Thresher

Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No harvest permitted

Put it back

Prohibited species - must be released immediately to maximize survival.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Finetooth Shark

Carcharhinus isodon

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Open year-round

Open

No minimum size; counts toward the one-shark aggregate.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Galapagos Shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No harvest permitted

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Golden Tilefish

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Size
No size limit

Bag
8 per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Size
78 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Great White Shark

White shark Carcharodon carcharias

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No harvest permitted

Put it back

Prohibited species - must be released immediately to maximize survival.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Hickory Shad

Alosa mediocris

Size
No size limit

Bag
10 · Nanticoke River: none

Season
Open year-round except Nanticoke River and tributaries (closed)

Check

No harvest in the Nanticoke River and its tributaries. Elsewhere in Delaware's tidal waters: 10 hickory shad, no size limit.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Monkfish

Goosefish, Anglerfish Lophius americanus

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
17 in whole (11 in tail)

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

Minimum size 17 inches whole or 11 inches for tails; skin must remain attached for sizing.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No harvest permitted

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Porbeagle

Lamna nasus

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Red Drum

Redfish, Puppy drum, Channel bass, Spottail bass Sciaenops ocellatus

Size
20-27 in slot

Bag
5 per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Only fish 20-27 in may be retained.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
63" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Sand Tiger

Carcharias taurus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No harvest permitted

Put it back

Prohibited species - must be released immediately to maximize survival.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No harvest permitted

Put it back

Prohibited species - must be released immediately to maximize survival.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Size
78 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Scup

Stenotomus chrysops

Size
9 in min

Bag
30 per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Shortfin Mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No harvest permitted

Put it back

Prohibited species - must be released immediately to maximize survival.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Silky Shark

Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

Size
Harvest prohibited

Bag
0

Season
No harvest permitted

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Skipjack Tuna

Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-10-28
Smooth Dogfish

Mustelus canis

Size
No size limit

Bag
No daily limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Smoothhound sharks are exempt from the one-shark aggregate; circle hook rule applies when bait fishing for sharks.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

Size
78 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

Size
14 in min

Bag
15 per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

Size
No size limit

Bag
No daily limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Exempt from the one-shark aggregate.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Spot

Leiostomus xanthurus

Size
No size limit

Bag
50 per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

50-fish daily possession limit set by 2025 Secretary's Order under ASMFC Addendum III.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Spotted Seatrout

Speck, Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus

Size
12 in min

Bag
No daily limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Striped Bass

Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

Size
28–31 in · Jul–Aug in the Bay/River: 20–24 in

Bag
1 per person

Season
Depends on where

Check

Spawning grounds (Delaware River above the C&D Canal, the canal, the Nanticoke): catch-and-release only Apr 1–May 31. Delaware Bay, River and tributaries: Jul 1–Aug 31 only 20–24 in fish may be kept. Elsewhere, including the ocean and Inland Bays: 28–31 in, open all year.
Gear: Non-offset circle hooks required when fishing for striped bass with bait; an artificial lure with bait attached is exempt.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Summer Flounder

Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

Size
17.5 in min (16 in Jan 1-May 31)

Bag
4 per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

Minimum size is 16 in Jan 1-May 31 and 17.5 in Jun 1-Dec 31.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
47" LJFL min

Bag
1 per person, up to 4 per vessel per trip (private); higher for-hire vessel caps

Season
Year-round

Open

May not be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is aboard.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Tautog

Tautoga onitis

Size
16 in min

Bag
4 per day

Season
Jan 1 - May 15 and Jul 1 - Dec 31

Open

Closed May 16 - Jun 30.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Size
54 in FL min

Bag
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler)

Season
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31

Open

Gear: Non-offset, corrodible circle hooks required when fishing for sharks (smoothhounds excepted) unless using artificial lures or flies; Prohibited or unkept sharks are released in the water by cutting the line near the hook or with a dehooking device; no gaffs; head, tail and fins stay attached until landed.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Weakfish

Gray trout, Squeteague Cynoscion regalis

Size
13 in min

Bag
1 per day

Season
Open year-round

Open

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
White Marlin

Kajikia albida

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
66" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
White Perch

Perch Morone americana

Size
8" min

Bag
No daily limit

Season
Year-round

Open

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Winter Flounder

Blackback, Lemon sole (big ones) Pseudopleuronectes americanus

Size
12 in min

Bag
2 per day

Season
Feb 11 - Apr 10

Closed

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Winter Skate

Leucoraja ocellata

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

Open with no limits; barndoor, smooth, and thorny skates are prohibited.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28 · likely
Yellowfin Tuna

Ahi Thunnus albacares

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Delaware lists none of its own.

Size
27 in curved fork length min

Bag
3 per person per day; no more than 3 per person on board regardless of trip length

Season
Open year-round

Open

Federal rule in all Atlantic and Gulf waters; the boat needs an HMS Angling permit. Head off: at least 27 in from the forward edge of the cut to the fork.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked 2026-10-28

Every other species

Delaware sets size/creel limits only for species listed in its tidal finfish regulations; the 2026 guide states no default rule for unlisted species — no state limits apply, but license and federal HMS rules may.

Size: No size limit
Bag: No daily limit
Season: Open year-round

DE DNREC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29

Report to NOAA within 24 hours

HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.

How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04

Licences and the fine print

One annual Delaware fishing license covers freshwater, saltwater, crabbing and clamming. Anglers 16 and older need it unless exempt.
Every angler 16 and older — exempt or not — needs a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number each year. It is free and comes automatically with a license; exempt anglers get one through Digital DNREC.

Get a Delaware license

Nearby waters: New Jersey · Maryland · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about Delaware

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Delaware?