Spring is here, and soon the northern half of the state can finally enjoy the beginning of the freshwater trout fishing season.
New Castle County’s freshwater trout season will begin on Sunday, April 2, a half-hour before sunrise (around 6 a.m.). A new regulation was put into place this fishing season for junior anglers under the age of 16, who can begin the trout season at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 1.
According to Michael Globetti, media relations manager for DNREC, youth anglers are not required to have an adult with them on opening day. A parent or chaperone can help them fish (bait the hook, take a caught fish off the hook, etc.), but cannot fish themselves.
Where can you fish for trout?
There are seven streams in New Castle County designated for freshwater trout fishing. An interactive map of the areas can be found here.
- White Clay Creek from the Pennsylvania state line to the downstream side of Paper Mill Road
- Mill Creek from Brackenville Road to Route 7
- Pike Creek from Route 72 to Henderson Road
- Christina Creek from the Maryland state line through Rittenhouse Park
- Beaver Run from the Pennsylvania state line to the Brandywine
- Wilson Run from Route 72 through Brandywine Creek State Park
- Red Clay Creek from the boundary between Delaware and Pennsylvania to around 1.4 miles downstream to the boundary between Auburn Valley State Park and Creek Road
Certain stretches are reserved for fly-fishing only; artificial flies are needed to catch the fish.
- White Clay Creek from 25 yards above Thompson Bridge at Chambers Rock Road to the Pennsylvania state line
- Red Clay Creek from the downstream side of Yorklyn Road to around 0.4 miles downstream to Auburn Valley State Park’s boundary adjacent to Creek Road
Certain materials of baits and tools are prohibited in these waters. For a comprehensive list, check out Delaware’s 2023 Fishing Guide.
Record-breaking catch:They caught some big ones. See Delaware’s 6 record-breaking fish for 2022.
Most access to these streams is through and on private property, so officials from the division advise that anglers be aware of their surroundings and respect the privacy of others.
Kent and Sussex counties’ season began in early March. The selection is more scarce, with just Tidbury Pond in Kent County and Newton Pond in Sussex County stocked.
Since Delaware’s stream temperatures are too hot for trout survival in the summer, stocked fish are meant to be taken, not caught and re-released.
Rules of the waters
No more than six trout can be caught per day, and only four can be caught within 50 feet of fly-fishing waters. Fishing in designated trout streams and ponds is prohibited after a half-hour past sunset.
Fishing licenses are required for residents between the ages of 16 and 65 and cost $8.50. Delaware Trout Stamps also are required for residents who plan on using designated streams in the state.
The cost of a trout stamp is $4.20 for residents ages 16-64, $2.10 for residents ages 12-15 and $6.20 for nonresidents ages 12 and older. Delaware residents ages 65 and older are exempt from purchasing a Delaware Trout Stamp.
Stamps are valid through June and from the first Saturday in October through November. They can be downloaded online or picked up at the Division of Fish & Wildlife license office at 89 Kings Highway in Dover.
Beach season alert:Work begins soon to get Delaware beaches ready for the summer. Sand replenishment details.
Fishing events this season
The cost of the trout stamps goes toward purchasing and stocking the state’s streams and ponds with rainbow, brown, brook, tiger and golden trout. Stocking will occur at various points throughout the month of April.
Trophy-sized trout will be stocked for the state’s annual fisher derby for anglers with special needs happening on April 29 in Wilson Run at the Brandywine State Park.
The Division of Fish & Wildlife is doing more this season to promote the next generation of anglers in the state. This June 3 and 4 are designated “free fishing days” when anyone can fish in Delaware waters without a license. Children aged 16 and under still need to obtain a free FIN number to participate.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold its 37th annual Youth Fishing Tournament for anglers between 4 and 15 years old from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3.
Delaware also will hold multiple “Take a Kid Fishing Days” throughout the year, which can be registered for online.
Delaware’s freshwater trout program can be reached at 302-739-9914, and via their website.
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Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.
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