The time has arrived: Surf-fishing permits go on sale this Tuesday.
But before people rush to the Delaware State Park entrances or flood the online system like previous years, here’s an important reminder: There is no limit on the number of surf-fishing permits sold this year.
Parks and Recreation staff hope that eliminating the cap will make for a much less chaotic sale period than the past couple of years when surf-fishing permits sold out in record time.
State Park annual passes, which allow admission into all Delaware State Parks, also go on sale starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29.
Here’s what to know.
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Where can I buy a surf-fishing permit or annual pass?
People can purchase these permits and passes at any state park office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
State park offices will also be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, for holiday shoppers who may want to include an annual parks pass or surf-fishing permit in Christmas stockings or other gift-giving this season.
Passes and permits will not be sold at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control campus in Dover.
They will be available for purchase online at www.destateparks.com/Know/PassesTagsFees. DNREC expects that passes and permits bought online will be delivered in three to four weeks.
Why do I need a surf-fishing permit?
These permits allow for drive-on beach access for fishing in designated areas at Delaware State Parks. Anyone wishing to drive onto the beach and fish must buy a permit and place that sticker on a surf-fishing license plate.
(If you do not have this special plate, you can purchase one at the same time as buying a permit.)
People can buy surf-fishing permits for one or two years.
How much do surf-fishing permits cost?
The price of an annual surf-fishing permit for a Delaware resident is $90 and $180 for a nonresident. The two-year permits are double those costs, respectively.
Off-peak permits – which allow year-round access except for Saturdays, Sundays and holidays during the summer – are $70 for residents and $140 for nonresidents.
There are also certain discounts for seniors and free annual surf-fishing permits available for firefighters and EMTs.
What do I need to have with me to buy a surf-fishing permit?
You will need:
- Valid vehicle registration
- Contact phone number
- Preferred email address
- Valid driver’s license required for discounted/free permits, as well as Delaware taxpayers requesting the resident rates.
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What is different about the surf-fishing program this year?
Beyond eliminating the cap on surf-fishing permits sold, the Division of Parks and Recreation announced another change for 2023: They are piloting a reservation system for the 36 busiest days in the summer.
That means that a surf-fishing permit does not guarantee access to the beach on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the summer (third weekend of May through Labor Day).
Similar to reserving a campground at a Delaware State Park, anyone with a surf-fishing permit must now make a reservation before driving onto the beach during these peak times, including Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July and Labor Day.
This reservation also allows people to enter the park even when it’s at capacity, which happens frequently during these busiest times.
Reservations will be available only online or by phone and will require a $4 fee. People will be able to make reservations only about a week in advance of their desired date.
Any surf-fishing permitholders who wish to drive onto the beach before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. during these days may still do so without a reservation.
For more, visit destateparks.com/SurfTagSales.
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Why should I buy an annual pass?
Delaware State Parks charge a daily entrance fee for nine months of the year from March 1 to Nov. 30, but once you stick an annual pass on your vehicle, you can visit as many times as you want all year long without paying the entrance fee.
This works at any Delaware State Park, with a few exceptions: Brandywine Zoo at Wilmington State Parks and the ferry to Fort Delaware State Park. At Fenwick State Line Beach, the annual pass grants free entry, but a parking fee is still charged, according to the Delaware State Parks website.
How much do annual passes cost?
Annual State Park passes cost $35 for Delaware-registered vehicles and $70 for nonresidents.
Tip: People who work in the state of Delaware and pay Delaware income tax but live out of state can also purchase an annual pass or one-year surf-fishing permit at the resident rate.
Reduced rates are also offered to Delawareans who receive public assistance or who are active-duty military or veterans. Active duty military personnel with an out-of-state license plate can purchase an annual pass at the in-state rate.
Emily Lytle covers Sussex County from the inland towns to the beaches, with a focus on health-related issues. Got a story she should tell? Contact her at elytle@delmarvanow.com or 302-332-0370. Follow her on Twitter at @emily3lytle.
