Reminder for the week: Retaining striped bass spawning season unlawful in Delaware

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between April 16-22 made 3,687 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 28 citations. Officers responded to 33 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

• On April 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information on Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police careers during the NOBLE law enforcement job fair at Delaware State University near Dover.
• On April 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information on Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police careers during a job fair at the Delaware Technical Community College Terry Campus near Dover.
• On April 20, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information on Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police careers, discussed hunting, fishing and boating in Delaware, and displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer during an Earth Day Expo at the Joint Force Headquarters, MAJ Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III National Guard/Reserve Center near New Castle.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

• Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers were contacted by the Georgetown Police Department to help search for items associated with an ongoing robbery investigation. K9 Rosco was able to locate several items.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation: Take/destroy nests and eggs of wild birds (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (8)*, possession of blue river herring (2), possession of undersized white perch (1)*, possession of undersized striped bass (2), use of illegal non-circle hook during striped bass spawning season (3)*.

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1).

Public Safety: Unreasonable speed (1).

Other: Possession of marijuana – civil (5) and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind anglers that during Delaware’s striped bass spawning season, which began April 1 and continues through midnight on May 31, it is unlawful for any person to take and retain any striped bass from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries, the Delaware River and its tributaries to the north of a line extending due east beginning at and including the south jetty at the mouth of the C&D Canal, or the C&D Canal or its tributaries. Anglers are required to practice catch and release fishing during this season with no harvest allowed in these areas.

In addition, regulations require anglers fishing with natural bait on any striped bass spawning ground during the closed spawning season to use a non-offset circle hook. The Division of Fish & Wildlife recommends that circle hooks always be used when fishing natural baits because of their proven ability to reduce hook-and-release mortality for striped bass and other fish species. The circle hook’s design usually results in fish being hooked in the mouth, simplifying hook removal and reducing injury to the released fish.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, click on 2018 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Africa, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

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