outdoors and recreation Archives - Page 2 of 2

Delaware’s Elite Anglers are the select few who have received Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament citations for five different species within one calendar year. A once-in-a lifetime award, the Delaware Elite Angler is the most esteemed level of angling accomplishment that the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife recognizes. Any combination of saltwater and freshwater
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Tournament Weigh Stations

Tournament Home

Tournament Rules

Tournament History

Tournament Youth Division

Tournament Sizes

Delaware Fishing Records

This page lists each current Delaware record fish as well as the anglers who hooked, fought and landed them. Seventeen 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
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Council on Recreational Fishing Funding

The Council on Recreational Fishing Funding was created in 2007 and serves in an advisory capacity to the Director of Fish and Wildlife. It considers matters relating to funding fishery-related projects as well as fishery-related construction priorities for the expenditure of funds generated from the sale of recreational fishing licenses. [column md=”4″ xclass=”col-xs=-12 col-md-4
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Contact Information

David Saveikis, Director 89 Kings Highway Dover, DE 19901 302-739-9910 david.saveikis@delaware.gov

Delaware Bayshore Initiative

Anthony Gonzon, Coordinator 302-735-8673 anthony.gonzon@delaware.gov

Frequently-Called Phone Numbers
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Fish Consumption Advisories

DNREC and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) work together to monitor the presence of chemical toxins in the flesh of finfish and shellfish in Delaware waters. They issue periodic fish consumption advisories to guide anglers on the amount of fish they can safely consume.

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2018 Fish Consumption Advisory Information

Delaware fish consumption advisories issued February 20, 2018, by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Public Health (DHSS/DPH) show that the concentration of chemical contaminants found in fish caught from Delaware waterways continues to decline, indicating water quality is improving across the
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The Fisheries Section

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. Recreational Fishing

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Operation Game Theft

The Operation Game Theft Fund was established by the Delaware General Assembly to assist in the apprehension and conviction of game law violators. Rewards of up to $1,000 are available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of violators. The Operation Game Theft Fund consists of all game law violation fines paid in
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Natural Resources Police

Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers protect wildlife and fisheries resources, promote boating education and safety, promote hunting and fishing, respond to boating emergencies and are a partner in Delaware’s Homeland Security maritime mission. The Natural Resources Police oversee boating safety education in Delaware and offer free annual Natural Resources Police Youth Academies for youth
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Boating Registration

Delaware law requires the registration of all motorboats, including those powered by electric motors, if Delaware is its state of principal use. All motorboats launched from tidal access areas administered by the Division of Fish and Wildlife must be registered in Delaware or have a valid Tidal Access Boat Ramp Certificate. [alert type=”info” xclass=”col-xs-12
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Delaware Boat License Agents

There are authorized boat registration sales outlets in each county in Delaware. Most offer both boat registration and boat ramp certificates. A few only offer boat ramp certificates. New Castle County Eastern Marine(Boat registration and ramp certificates)931 S. Chapel
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Delaware Hunting and Fishing Photo Contests

Join the Division of Fish and Wildlife in celebrating Delaware’s fishing and hunting traditions by submitting your own fishing and hunting photographs for these annual contests. The contests are open to all Delaware residents of any age.

Contact Us

Jennifer Childears 302-739-9910

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Delaware Open Space Program

Parks, open space, natural areas, forests, wildlife habitat, greenways, and waterways are all part of Delaware’s environmental legacy – a legacy which is part of everyone’s quality of life. Delaware’s open spaces provide not only a haven for wildlife and native plants, but also a retreat and escape from the work-a-day world and an opportunity
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About Conservation Easements

A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement that allows a landowner to limit the type or amount of development on their property while retaining private ownership of the land.

The easement is signed by the landowner and the state agency receiving the easement. The state agency accepts
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Conservation Options for Landowners

We all have that something special that connects us with our natural lands. For some, it is a favorite trail in a forest. For others, it is the beauty and wonder of a heron nesting in our wetlands. For many, it is the beauty of Delaware’s natural lands that reminds us of home. First
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Protected Lands Maps

The Delaware Open Space Program has helped protect tracts of land throughout the state. Below are links to PDF maps of these lands, organized by county and general area.

Explore data about properties protected and/or acquired under the Delaware Open Space Program.
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Delaware Open Space Council

The Delaware Open Space Council was created in 1990, with the passage of the Delaware Land Protection Act (7 Del. C. Chapter 75), to advise the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on all matters relating to the administration, implementation, and financing of the Open Space Program. [column md=”4″ xclass=”col-xs-12
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Bass Tournament Reporting Form

Thank you for reporting on the results of your tournament. Please answer all of the questions below. If a question doesn’t apply to your bass tournament, please enter “N/A” in that field. Please make sure you include your contact information, including phone numbers and e-mail. If you have any questions, please
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DuPont Nature Center Events

The DuPont Nature Center offers educational programs and events from April through September. They include field excursions, lectures and hands-on activities. The DuPont Nature Center is located at the end of Lighthouse Road, at the mouth of the Mispillion River, on the Delaware Bay. For more information, call 302-422-1329. [eme_calendar full=true
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Education and Outreach

The Division of Fish and Wildlife offers a variety of educational and outreach programs.

Education Facilities DuPont Nature Center at the Mispillion Harbor Reserve DuPont Nature Center Events Aquatic Resource Education Center

Volunteer with DNREC

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for both individuals and groups. There are many ways to make a difference, from large group events such as the annual beach grass planting to individual actions such as teaching a child to fish. Check out our [modal
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Boating or Fishing Event Application

A Boating/Fishing event permit from the Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police is required for safety reasons when holding an event on the water.

Contact Us

Brandi Besecker Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police 302-739-9913

Boating Safety Volunteers

The Office of Boating Safety and Education promotes and supports the public’s effort to become better informed about boating safety. With the help of volunteers, the Office has successfully certified thousands of students. Each year the demand to educate the boating public grows; the Office constantly is searching for new boating volunteers. Qualified volunteers
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Boating Safety for Kids

The Office of Boating Safety and Education takes great pride in educating Delaware’s youth on boating safety. They offer several programs to get children interested in and learning about boating safety. It’s important to start early so that each youngster is the best and the most knowledgeable boater he or she is capable of becoming.
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Boating Safety Course Schedule

The Office of Boating Safety and Education and its partners offer a Basic Boating Safety Course that meets the Delaware requirement for mandatory boating education. Courses are offered by different partners. Some are one day courses, others are offered over several days. The full course must be completed to earn certification. For more information,
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Boating Safety

The Office of Boating Safety and Education’s mission is to develop individual awareness, skills, commitment to safe responsible behavior, and constructive actions in safe boating. The goal for students is to be aware of state laws regarding safety violations and how to prevent them from happening while still enjoying Delaware’s waterways.

Persons born
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Boating

Delaware’s ocean and bay waters, rivers, lakes and ponds offer opportunities for boating.

Boating Safety The Office of Boating Safety and Education helps develop individual awareness, skills, commitment to safe responsible behavior, and constructive actions in safe boating. The goal for
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Division of Parks and Recreation

Alapocas Run State Park

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Small Pond Angling

In addition to Delaware’s many state-owned freshwater fishing ponds, there are nine small ponds, most geared toward bank fishing and most managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. They are ideal for beginners and youth angling.

Delaware’s Public Freshwater Fishing Ponds

More than 30 Delaware freshwater lakes and ponds are open for fishing and other recreation. These impoundments, most of them managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, range in size from five to 189 acres. They support a variety of gamefish. Find full information about each of these ponds using the Delaware Ponds
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Fish Monitoring via Electrofisher

The Division of Fish and Wilfdlife uses electrofishing to safely sample fish populations in a variety of water bodies. Electrofishing is one of the most efficient sampling methods available to fisheries biologists. It uses an electric current to temporarily stun fish. This lets biologists sample and survey fish populations with minimal disturbance and risk to
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Report a Tagged Largemouth Bass

The Division of Fish and Wildlife monitors largemouth bass in Delaware rivers to help maintain a sustainable bass population and provide recreational fishing opportunities. Reports from anglers about the tagged bass they catch are an important part of the effort.

Bass are tagged when the Division conducts
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Conservation Access Pass

Delaware’s Conservation Access Pass provides needed funding to help the Division of Fish and Wildlife maintain and improve public access, facilities, and wildlife habitat on State Wildlife Areas.

Where Can You Get Yours?
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Photo Contest Information and Entry Form

Photo Contest Themes All entries will be judged against the contest themes. For fishing photos: Get Out and Fish DE For hunting photos: Get Out and Hunt DE

Delaware Fishing Report

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

Nov. 24, 2020

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Division of Fish and Wildlife

We Bring You Delaware’s Great Outdoors through Science and Service

The Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly
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Get Out and Enjoy Delaware’s Great Outside

The Play Outside map from Delaware State Parks will help you find the right park, preserve, trail or playground so you can head out and play outside.
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Outdoor Delaware, Delaware’s award-winning conservation magazine, is published four times each year and presents stunning photography, detailed feature articles, regular columnists, and more.
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Topic: Ocean and Coasts

Nearly 40% of of the US population lives in a coastal county. In Delaware, everyone lives in a coastal county and many of us find ourselves on or near the shore on a daily basis.
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Topic: Wetlands

A wetland is simply an area of land that is wet during the growing season. All true wetlands have three characteristics: typical wetland plants, wetland soils, and evidence that water is or can be at or near the surface. Our wetlands provide valuable service to Delaware. Wetlands purify our water. They provide habitat for rare and commercially important plants, fish and animals. And they protect us from flooding.
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Topic: Wildlife and Fish

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife manages nearly 50,000 acres of land that provides habitat for a multitude of wild plants, animals, fish, insects and rare species of all kinds. And it spearheads several important wildlife and habitat conservation and education initiatives, including the Wildlife Species Conservation and Research Program and the Delaware Shorebird Project.
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Topic: Outdoors and Recreation

Delaware is rich in natural beauty. Its landscape ranges from the rolling hills of New Castle County, through the coastal marshes and river systems of Kent County, to the woodlands and beaches of Sussex County.
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Delaware Bayshore Initiative

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Divisions

Delaware's Government