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The Fisheries Section works to enhance and protect Delaware’s fish and aquatic resources in support of recreational and commercial fishing. It provides first-class fishing and boating access to Delaware’s many waterways. And it conducts fisheries research, resource monitoring, and collection of biological information on marine fisheries.
CARES Act Relief Funding for Fishery-related Businesses
The state of Delaware has received relief funding from the federal government to distribute to eligible fishery-related businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Learn how partnerships among industry, state fish and wildlife agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have helped sport fish restoration and conservation and increased angling and boating opportunities nationwide.
This short video explores these Sport Fish Restoration Program partnerships and the opportunities for anglers and boaters funded by excise taxes on angling equipment and motorboat fuel.
Biologists from the Division of Fish and Wildlife keep track of the state’s fish populations. They work on Delaware’s rivers, ponds, estuaries, the Delaware Bay, and coastal waters and study how different species are faring.
Among other research and responsibilities, they track invasive fish species, provide guidance for Delaware pond owners, and guidance on controlling aquatic plants and herbicides.
The Division Fish and Wildlife provides a summary of Delaware’s commercial fishing regulations. While the summary is useful, it is important to also review the relevant regulations, and the state laws they are based on.
List of striped bass weigh stations
The Division of Fish and Wildlife makes acreage in the Inland Bays available for leases for shellfish aquaculture.
Note: The 2021 oyster season is from April 1 through May 31, and reopens from Sept. 1 – Dec. 31. The total quota for the fishery is 18,119 bushels.
2020 Survey of Natural Oyster Beds
Delaware law (7 Del.C. §§914 and 1910) requires commercial fishermen to submit monthly reports to the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Commercial Blue Crab Landing Report
Commercial Food Fish License Report
Commercial Oyster Dredge Harvest Report
Commercial Shellfish Landing Report
Daily Striped Bass Fishing Report — Hook and Line
Daily Striped Bass Fishing Report — Gill Net
Related Topics: dfw, fish and wildlife, fisheries, fishing, outdoors, outdoors and recreation, recreation, research
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