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Delaware Fishing Report



The Delaware Fishing Report offers information on when to fish, where to fish, which species are biting, and how to catch them. It is written weekly by veteran Delaware angler Eric Burnley, Sr.

Find information on fishing in Delaware on the DNREC Fisheries Section page and in the Delaware Fishing Guide. Don’t forget that you will need a Delaware fishing license. Find information on the tides in Delaware tidal waters from NOAA and about Delaware’s freshwater fishing ponds.

Delaware Bay


It seems that Mother Nature just can’t make up her mind. Spring? No, it’s Winter. No, it’s Spring.

Striped Bass
Striped Bass (Rockfish)

This report is compiled on Thursday when the temperature was in the 40s and it was raining. The weekend forecast calls for sunshine and temperatures close to 70. If your Sunrise Service is on the beach you might want to bring along a rod and reel and some bloodworms.

Patty at Captain Bones in Odessa said a few slot striped bass and some over the slot were caught on bloodworms and cut bunker from Woodland Beach. White perch were caught on bloodworms from the same area.

Steve at Smith Bait in Leipsic reported the same as Patty. Stripers in the 28- to 31-inch slot from Woodland Beach on bloodworms and cut bunker.

Indian River Inlet


Old Inlet Bait and Tackle said tog fishing remains slow with a few caught from the inlet on green crabs.

Rick’s Bait and Tackle on Long Neck said some small stripers have been caught from the back bays on bloodworms by anglers targeting white perch.

Surf Fishing


No report.

Back Bays


No report.

Inshore Ocean

Artwork representing a Tautog
Tautog

Lewes Harbour Marina reported a few private boats fished Site 10 and caught a few tog on green crabs and white leggers purchased at the shop.

The new bulkhead is in, and the rebar is set for the new concrete sidewalk so things should be back to normal very soon.

Offshore Ocean


No report.

Freshwater


Patty at Captain Bones in Odessa reported that bass and crappie fishing at Silver Lake in Dover has slowed since the cold and rainy weather. The bass and crappie fishing is now a live minnow affair.

Painting of a Black Crappie
Black Crappie

Steve at Smith Bait in Leipsic said that, due to the heavy rain, crappie fishing in the local ponds is best done with live minnows.

Taylored Tackle in Seaford did not answer the phone. I suspect fishing has been slow since the return of cold weather but Phillips Landing still holds some white perch and catfish. Use bloodworms for the perch and cut bunker for the catfish.

Dan at Dan’s Tackle did not answer his phone. I have been in Milton and have seen people fishing at the town park where I suspect they are catching white perch on minnows.

New Castle County Trout Season


On April 6, Delaware Trout Season will open in New Castle County. The first day is reserved for young anglers 16 and under. On Sunday, April 7, the streams will be open to all properly licensed anglers.

rainbow trout
Rainbow Trout

I would take my boys (Boys? Ric is 51 and Roger is 48) up to Brandywine Creek State Park where we would fish Wilson Run on opening day. My favorite lure was a very small jog with a yellow twister tail. Our favorite spot was by the bridge as you enter the park.

Just in case you think the current weather is unusual. I recall one opening day when it snowed.

I hope many of you moms and dads are planning to take your children fishing on opening day and enjoying the same thrills I enjoyed with my boys.

Eric Burnley, Sr. is a native Delawarean who has fished local waters for more than 60 years. Eric Burnley has been a full-time outdoor writer since 1978, with articles appearing in most national magazines and many regional publications. He has written three books: Surf Fishing the Atlantic Coast, The Ultimate Guide to Catching Striped Bass and Fishing Saltwater Baits.




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