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=”5″ 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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Education and Outreach

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

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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 text=”volunteer calendar”

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Boating or Fishing Event Application

A boating/fishing event permit from DNREC’s Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police is required for safety reasons when holding an event on the water. Permit Required

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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 DNREC 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. [column md=”5″

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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

Choose Your Outdoor Adventure

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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. Find a Small Pond 

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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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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.

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Division of Fish and Wildlife

The DNREC 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

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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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