Delaware state waters, out to 3 miles
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 · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
Federal measures are waived — anglers in Mid-Atlantic federal waters follow the rules of the state where they land. Check your state's entry.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Delaware state record
DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Blue-black with pale barred cheeks; big males show a blue nape hump and fin trailers. More on the black sea bass page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Black sea bass in other states15 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for black sea bass in Delaware?
12.5 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many black sea bass can you keep in Delaware?
15 per day.
When is black sea bass season in Delaware?
May 1 - Dec 31. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Delaware record black sea bass?
7 lb 6 oz (1988).
How current is this Delaware black sea bass rule?
Source: DE DNREC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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