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Recreational Licensing



The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife offers licenses, permits, stamps, and passes for recreational fishing and hunting, and for the use of Delaware Wildlife Areas.

Digital DNREC — A New ePermitting System

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has built a new ePermitting system — Digital DNREC — that offers most recreational licenses, passes, permits, and stamps online.

The new system offers online application for permits and licenses and user accounts and profiles to allow users to manage their own portfolio of licenses and permits.

In-Person Options

Licenses, permits, stamps, and passes are also available in-person at an authorized license agent or at the licensing desk inside DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building.

Recreational Fishing Licenses

A Delaware recreational fishing license covers recreational fishing, crabbing and clamming in all Delaware waters. Licenses must be purchased annually by recreational anglers. In addition to the license, recreational anglers who purchase an individual fishing license or resident boat fishing license will automatically be issued a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number.

All funds derived from the issuance of fishing licenses are dedicated to a special account for the purpose of matching and securing federal money allotted to Delaware under the provisions of the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act. Together, these funds support restoration, conservation, management and enhancement of sportfish and the provisions for public use and benefit from these resources.

Delaware fishing licenses can be purchased online via Digital DNREC or in-person at an authorized license agent or at the licensing desk inside DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building, at 89 Kings Highway SW, in Dover.

Fisherman Information Network (FIN) Numbers

All Delaware anglers age 16 or older are required by regulation to have a Delaware-issued Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number on an annual basis before fishing in Delaware waters. There is no fee for a FIN number. A FIN number is automatically issued with the purchase of a Delaware fishing license. In some cases, such as when you are exempt from licensing requirements, you may need to apply separately for a FIN number though Digital DNREC.

Trout Stamps

Anglers who fish for trout in Delaware are required to have a Delaware Trout Stamp. The cost of a Delaware Trout Stamp is $4.20 for residents ages 16 to 64, the cost is $2.10 for residents ages 12 to 15, and $6.20 for non-residents ages 12 and older. Delaware residents ages 65 and older are exempt from purchasing a Delaware Trout Stamp.

Surf Fishing

Residents and non-residents are exempt from fishing license requirements if they are the operator of a vehicle with a valid Delaware surf fishing vehicle permit, as long as the vehicle is located on a designated Delaware State Park surf fishing area. Normal licensing provisions apply to other occupants of that vehicle if they are fishing.

Head Boats and Charter Boats

Head boat licenses are required for vessels hired on a per-person basis. Charter boat licenses are required for vessels hired on a per-trip basis. Both the charter boat and head boat licenses cover the paying passengers, the captain and the crew while they are fishing aboard the vessel only.

Head boat and charter boat licenses are issued directly from the Division of Fish and Wildlife. To apply, complete and submit the Head/Charter Boat License Application.

The Delaware Division of Child Support Services has the authority, under Federal Welfare Reform Legislation (Title 42 of the US Code, Section 666 (a) (13) ), to collect Social Security Numbers for individuals who purchase recreational hunting and fishing licenses.

Hunting and Trapping Licenses

Delaware hunting licenses can be purchased online via Digital DNREC or in-person at an authorized license agent or at the licensing desk inside DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building, at 89 Kings Highway SW, in Dover.

Trapping licenses can be purchased online via Digital DNREC or by submitting a Fish and Wildlife Trapping License Application.

Waterfowl Stamps

Those who hunt waterfowl in Delaware are required to have a Delaware Waterfowl Stamp. The cost of a Delaware Waterfowl Stamp is $15 for residents ages 16 to 64 and $15 for non-residents ages 16 and older. Delaware residents ages 65 and older are exempt from purchasing a Delaware Waterfowl Stamp.

Manage Your Account

The Digital DNREC ePermitting system also helps users meet legal requirements for hunting and trapping in Delaware. Users can get a License Exempt Number if legally exempt from purchasing a hunting or trapping license, register deer they have harvested, get their Harvest Information Program (HIP) number for hunting waterfowl and other migratory birds, or participate in the Snow Goose Conservation Order.

Hunter and Trapper Education Requirements

All persons born after January 1, 1967 must satisfactorily complete an approved Hunter Education Course before applying for a Delaware Hunting License.

You will need a Hunter Safety Number (HSN) to apply for a license. A completed Hunter Education Course from another state may be used to meet this requirement.

All persons born after January 1, 1978 must have completed an approved Trapping Education Course and have a Trapping Education Card to apply for a trapping license.

License Funds at Work

All funds derived from the issuance of hunting licenses are dedicated to a special account for the purpose of matching and securing federal money allotted to Delaware under the provisions of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. Together, these funds support restoration, conservation, management, and enhancement of wildlife and the provisions for public use and benefit from these resources.

The Delaware Division of Child Support Services has the authority, under Federal Welfare Reform Legislation (Title 42 of the US Code, Section 666 (a) (13) ), to collect Social Security Numbers for individuals who purchase recreational hunting and fishing licenses.

Conservation Access Passes

A Conservation Access Pass is required for all registered motor vehicles accessing Delaware’s state wildlife areas for any allowable activity, including, but not limited to, hunting, birdwatching, hiking and photography. Conservation Access Passes are available as annual passes (July 1 through June 30), as three-day passes (good for three consecutive days) or a lifetime pass (good if age and residency requirements are met).

Passes can be purchased online via Digital DNREC or in-person at an authorized license agent.

Remember to have the vehicle registration card available at the time of purchase. Those eligible to purchase a Resident Senior Lifetime Conservation Access Pass do not provide a vehicle registration card at the time of purchase but must be prepared to verify age and state of Delaware residency.

 




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