DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Confirms Another State Record Blue Catfish, Caught in the Nanticoke River

Chris Andrews’ night-time fishing trip with friends on the Nanticoke River netted him a state-record 48-pound, 7-ounce blue catfish that eclipsed a Delaware record for the species lasted less than a year. Photo courtesy of Chris Andrews

 

DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed a new state record blue catfish, the fourth state record of the year for the 2023 Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament. The 42.5-inch, 48-pound, 7.2-ounce blue catfish was caught on cut bait earlier this month by Chris Andrews of Bridgeville, while fishing in the Nanticoke River on his personal boat at night with friends who helped him land his massive catch.

“Fishing is a big part of my life – I go out about three times a week, so I guess you’d say I’m an avid fisherman,” said Andrews, noting it was just another quiet end of summer evening on the water – until he felt a strong tug on his line. “I knew it was a big one, just not how big. I got the fish up and close to the boat multiple times, but it would just take off pulling my drag. I had a smaller net than usual, so it took multiple tries (to get it into the boat). After about a 5-minute fight, the fish was landed.”

The record catch was weighed at Taylored Tackle Shop in Seaford and certified by Sgt. Nathan Evans, Delaware Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Police. Andrews’ blue catfish eclipsed the previous state record set in 2022 by James Lord, by only 4 ounces – but as DNREC Fisheries biologist Devon Scott, who recorded Andrews’ catch in the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament, noted, “They’re both behemoth fish.”

A list of all Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament state records is available at the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Delaware Fishing Records.

More information about the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament and state record fish can be found in the 2023 Delaware Fishing Guide and at de.gov/sportfish. The guide is also available in printed form from the DNREC Fisheries Section, from the Licensing Desk in DNREC’s main office in Dover, and from license agents throughout the state.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. 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 nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov


DNREC Announces New Director for Division of Fish and Wildlife

Pat Emory Has Served 39 Years with the Department

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Environmental Control has named Pat Emory to lead its Division of Fish and Wildlife. Emory has served his entire career with the Department, most recently as director of DNREC Division of Community Affairs.

Emory is to replace former Director David Saveikis, who recently retired from DNREC after a nearly 40-year career with the Department, and had served as Division of Fish and Wildlife director since 2011.

Emory will assume the official title on Monday, March 13.

The division director manages fish and wildlife conservation management policies of the state and runs day-to-day operations of the division, which includes 114 full-time positions and an annual budget of more than $10.7 million.

“Pat is an experienced and trusted leader in the state who has demonstrated his passion for the mission of the Department over the course of his career,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “I am pleased he will continue his commitment to public service and environmental stewardship in this role.”

Emory joined DNREC in 1984 as a seasonal park ranger and led the Division of Fish and Wildlife from 2003 to 2011. He has been the director for the Division of Community Affairs for the last five years. A former president of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, he holds certifications in several environmental areas, including sediment and storm water management, emergency response and hazardous material handling. A native of Milford, he is a graduate of the Delaware State Police Academy and earned a Bachelor of Science from Salisbury University.

For more information about the division, visit de.gov/fw.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. 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 nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, InstagramTwitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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DNREC Reopens Port Mahon Fishing Pier After Emergency Repairs

The Port Mahon Fishing Pier has been repaired and reopened by DNREC ahead of the 2022 fishing season. /DNREC photo

 

The Port Mahon Fishing Pier has been reopened after completion of emergency repairs, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. The pier, located off Port Mahon Road east of Dover, was closed last fall for repairs to a broken support pile. The broken support pile has been repaired and several of the pier’s lateral timber bracing beams replaced. The repairs were completed ahead of schedule and in time for the 2022 fishing season.

For more information, call the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Fisheries section at 302-739-9914.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. 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 nearly 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Aug. 28-Sept 3

Reminder for the week: Review Delaware’s wildlife area maps and regulations.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (5), no fisheries identification number FIN (2), recreational gill net restriction (1), recreational gill net size limit (1), possession of undersized white perch (2), possession of undersized striped bass (1), possession of undersized largemouth bass (1), possession of undersized blue crabs (5), over the limit of recreational crab pots (1), and tampering with a recreational crab pot of another (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (5), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (6), failure to observe slow no wake zone (3), assault by vessel (1), operating an unregistered vessel (1), no boating safety certificate (3), allow the use of a non-compliant vessel (1), and equipment violation- navigation lights (2).

Public Safety: Reckless endangering (1), possession of drug paraphernalia (1), driving without a valid license (1)*, failure to have insurance identification in possession (1)*, and shellfish in closed polluted area- recreational clamming (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5)*, unlawful to build fire on a state wildlife area (1), and criminal impersonation (1).

http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?

State wildlife areas, fishing piers and boat launching facilities are closed to the public from sunset to sunrise unless a person is actively and lawfully engaged in fishing, hunting or boating in accordance with state regulations and individual wildlife area rules. Individuals not meeting these requirements and found at these sites between sunset and sunrise face fines up to $100 for trespassing after hours.

Wildlife area visitors also are reminded that it is illegal to operate motor vehicles – including motorcycles, cars, trucks and SUVs – off established roadways in state wildlife areas. Violators found to cause damage also will be cited for destruction of state property. In addition, operating a motor vehicle that is not licensed for use on established public roadways – including ATVs – is prohibited both on and off-road on state wildlife areas.

The following rules also apply to all state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat launching facilities and multi-use areas:

  • Camping, swimming, target shooting (including paintball), dumping and littering, and fires are prohibited.
  • Dog training is permitted only within established dog training areas or during open hunting seasons for the game animals that the dog is being trained to hunt.
  • Hunting is permitted only in specified areas and only during designated hunting seasons.
  • All of these sites have a carry-in, carry-out trash policy.

Delaware Wildlife Area Maps.

www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Fish-Wildlife-Natural-Resources-Police.

https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

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DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife seeking great shots of Delaware anglers for annual photo contest

Entries to be accepted now through Oct. 31 

DOVER – The Oct. 31 deadline is approaching to enter your best image in the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife’s 2017 Delaware Fishing Photo Contest. The winning photo will be featured on the cover or inside of the 2018 Delaware Fishing Guide. The contest is open to all Delaware residents of any age, with a maximum of three entries per person.

New this year for ease of entry in the contest: photographers will be able to submit their photos digitally at Fish & Wildlife photo contest. Photographers without the means to upload their photos online may submit their entries as prints.

A judging panel comprised of DNREC staff will be looking for technically-suitable photos that best portray this year’s contest theme, “Catch a Memory,” by depicting anglers enjoying fishing in the great outdoors. To be eligible, photographs must have been taken in Delaware and depict persons involved in lawful fishing activities.

Complete contest rules and information, entry forms, and instructions for uploading entries can be found at Fish & Wildlife photo contest. For more information, please email Jennifer Childears or call 302-739-9910.

 

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302.739.9902