Delaware state waters, out to 3 miles
Summer slot 20-24 in applies only in Delaware Bay/River and tributaries Jul 1-Aug 31; spawning grounds are catch-and-release only Apr 1-May 31; non-offset circle hooks required when bait fishing.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
No recreational fishing for striped bass in any federal waters (EEZ) coastwide; transit with legally caught fish allowed only in the Block Island Transit Zone.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Delaware state record
DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
7–8 unbroken dark stripes on silver; two separated dorsal fins. More on the striped bass page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for striped bass in Delaware?
28-31 in slot (20-24 in slot Jul 1-Aug 31 in DE Bay, River & tributaries). Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many striped bass can you keep in Delaware?
1 per day.
When is striped bass season in Delaware?
Open year-round; catch-and-release only on spawning grounds Apr 1-May 31.
What is the Delaware record striped bass?
52 lb (2012).
How current is this Delaware striped 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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