Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Delaware
State, United States. Authority: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) – Division of Fish and Wildlife.
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
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- Licence
- US$40Boat Fishing License (20 ft or less)
- Calendar lines open on
- 323 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 30.5 cmLargemouth bass (non-tidal)
2026 season calendar
designated trout waters closed 14 days before opening
trout stamp required first Saturday in April – June 30 and first Saturday in October – November 30
non-tidal waters
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–60 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass (non-tidal)4 15 in at Becks Pond | 30.5 cm | |
| Smallmouth bass (non-tidal)4 protected slot: none between and including 12-17 in may be kept | not published |
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Largemouth bass (non-tidal)4 2 at Becks Pond | 6 per day |
| Smallmouth bass (non-tidal)4 no more than 1 over 17 in | 6 per day |
| Trout5 4 in fly-fishing-only waters; no size limit | 6 per day |
| Panfish (incl. crappie)4 no more than 25 of one species | 50 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Fishing License (ages 16-64)1 | calendar year | US$8.50 |
| Resident Fishing License (16-64)1 | annual (calendar year) | US$8.50 |
| Non-Resident Fishing License (16+)1 | annual (calendar year) | US$20 |
| 7-Day Non-Resident Fishing License (16+)1 | 7-day | US$12.50 |
| Resident Trout Stamp (16-64)1 | annual | US$4.20 |
| Resident Young Angler Trout Stamp (12-15)1 | annual | US$2.10 |
| Non-Resident Trout Stamp (12+)1 | annual | US$6.20 |
| Boat Fishing License (20 ft or less)1 | annual | US$40 |
Buy the licence on epermitting.dnrec.delaware.gov
- Ages and exemptions3
- Children under 16 exempt from license and FIN number. Delaware residents 65 and older exempt from license (proof of age and residency; free FIN number still required). Everyone 16+ needs a free Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number.
Good to know
Very cheap resident license ($8.50). Free FIN number mandatory for all anglers 16+ (including license-exempt). Smallmouth 12-17 in protected slot. Walleye and northern pike not listed in Delaware non-tidal regulations.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- DNREC fee page shows no explicit year (calendar-year licenses): prices taken as 2026
- No resident short-term license; no 1-day or 3-day license
- Walleye, northern pike: no Delaware regulation listed
- Trout season closing date not stated
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Delaware in 2026?
The “Boat Fishing License (20 ft or less)” licence costs US$40 (annual). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for largemouth bass in Delaware?
Largemouth bass: 30.5 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- DNREC Fish and Wildlife License Fees (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- DNREC Fishing Licenses (links official Delaware Fishing Guide on eRegulations) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Delaware Fishing Guide – Fishing License Information (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Delaware Fishing Guide – Non-Tidal Season, Size & Creel Limits (updated 2026-02-06) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Delaware Fishing Guide – Freshwater Trout Fishing (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- www.eregulations.com/delaware/fishing/
Last checked: 23 September 2026.
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