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Delaware Fishing Records



This page lists each current Delaware record fish as well as the anglers who hooked, fought and landed them. Eighteen freshwater species and thirty saltwater species of trophy fish have been recognized as state records in Delaware. These fish are the largest specimens documented to have been caught by rod and reel.

If you think you have caught a potential new state record fish, please follow all Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament Rules. Pay particular attention to rule number 8.

Species Weight Angler Year
Bass (Hyb.), Striped 13 lbs. 13 oz. Earl Blevins 1990
Bass, Largemouth 11 lbs. 1.6 oz. Andrew Klein 2016
Bass, Smallmouth 4 lbs. 15.5 oz. Jerry Proffitt 1989
Bluegill 2 lbs. 10 oz. Arnold Harmon 1998
Bluegill 2 lbs. 10 oz. Clifford Snyder 2001
Carp 45 lbs. Ronald Burnett 1976
Catfish, Blue 53 lbs. Sydney McBroom 2023
Catfish, Channel 23 lbs. 6 oz. William Ridgley 1992
Crappie 4 lbs. 9 oz. Marvin Billips 1976
Musky 22 lbs. 4.8 oz. Stephen Rutkowski 2023
Perch, White 2 lbs. 9 oz. Wayne Hastings 1997
Perch, Yellow 2 lbs. 11 oz. Marvin Kessinger 1976
Pickerel, Chain 7 lbs. 13 oz. William Mack 2022
Shad, American 6 lbs. 12 oz. Bayard Conaway 1972
Snakehead 12 lbs. 12 oz. Bobby Smith 2017
Sunfish, Redear 3 lbs. 1 oz. Marty Messick 1998
Trout 11 lbs. 10 oz. Edwin Wallace 1997
Walleye 6 lbs. 14 oz. Nesbit Copenhaver 1995
Species Weight Angler Year
Albacore, False 26 lbs. 11.2 oz. Mike Spayd 2022
Albacore, True 80 lbs. David Francella 1987
Bass, Striped 52 lbs. Benjamin Smith 2012
Black Sea Bass 7 lbs. 6 oz. Steve Samluk 1988
Bluefish 24 lbs. 13 oz. Luis Mispireta 2015
Cobia 89 lbs. 3.2 oz. Scott Brooks 2022
Cod 44 lbs. John Osborne 1975
Croaker, Atlantic 5 lbs. 3 oz. Catherine Simpson 1980
Dolphinfish 56 lbs. 14 oz. William D. Emmert 2014
Drum, Black 115 lbs. Kenneth Smith 1978
Drum, Red 75 lbs. James Vandetti 1976
Flounder 17 lbs. 15 oz. William Kendall 1974
Kingfish 4 lbs. Billy Hastings 1973
Mackerel, Atlantic 3 lbs. 5 oz. Ricky Yakimowicz 1985
Mackerel, King 52 lbs. 11.2 oz. Jeff McCoy 2023
Mackerel, Spanish 6 lbs. 4 oz. Eric Ludwig 2000
Marlin, Blue 820 lbs. Bruce King 1986
Marlin, White 120 lbs. William Garner Jr. 1972
Scup (porgy) 5 lbs. 5 oz. Herman Schmidt 1979
Shark (excl. Mako) 825 lbs. Brent Thomas 1981
Shark, Mako 975 lbs. Thomas Barnes 2000
Sheepshead 17 lbs. 2 oz. Dave Walker 2014
Swordfish 358 lbs. Kurt Lorenz 2013
Tautog 22 lbs. 14.4 oz. James Milano 2023
Tilefish, Blueline 25 lbs. 8 oz. Daine Hursh 2022
Tilefish, Golden 52 lbs. 12.8 oz. Dylan Baker 2020
Triggerfish, Gray 6 lbs. 5 oz. Buddy J. Masten 2012
Tuna 873 lbs. Dan Dillon 2005
Wahoo 106 lbs. Will Stahlgren 2007
Weakfish (Sea trout) 19 lbs. 2 oz. William Thomas 1989



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