Stocked ponds closed to all fishing from Feb. 22 until opening day March 7

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that Delaware’s spring 2020 downstate freshwater trout season will begin at 7 a.m., Saturday, March 7, with the opening of two downstate ponds stocked with rainbow trout. Both Tidbury Pond near Dover in Kent County and Newton Pond near Greenwood in Sussex County will be stocked and open on that date for trout fishing, provided that pond ice conditions do not prevent stocking or fishing.

Each pond will be stocked with more than 300 pounds of 12- to 13-inch rainbow trout before opening day, with a second stocking in March. Trophy-sized trout weighing two or more pounds will be included in the stocking as an added attraction for trout anglers.

Trout anglers planning to fish Tidbury or Newton pond should note the following rules and regulations:

• A Delaware fishing license is required, unless an angler is exempt.
• A Delaware trout stamp is required from the first Saturday in March through April 1, unless an angler is exempt.
• Following the opening day 7 a.m. start, trout fishing at these ponds is open one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset, unless otherwise restricted by area rules.
• The daily possession limit is six trout.
• Both ponds are closed to all fishing for 14 days prior to the season opening, with the ponds closed from Saturday, Feb. 22 through Friday, March 6 to accommodate trout stocking, eliminate incidental hooking of trout, and allow stocked trout time to adjust to their new waters, all done to improve trout fishing when the season opens.

Proceeds from the purchase of Delaware trout stamps are used to help purchase next year’s trout for stocking. The popular fishery also is supported by federal Sport Fish Restoration funds administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that are generated from anglers purchasing fishing equipment.

Delaware fishing licenses and trout stamps are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

For more information, click Delaware Trout Season. For general information on fishing in Delaware, click 2020 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 the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

DOVER – Delaware’s Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish will meet regarding various hunting and related wildlife management issues at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 24, in the DNREC Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

For more information, including the meeting agenda, visit the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar at https://publicmeetings.delaware.gov/Meeting/62205.

For more information on Delaware wildlife, please call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. For more information on Delaware fisheries, please call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

New maps provide current information for fishing

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife today announced the release of newly-interactive online maps that allow anglers and other users to easily locate Delaware’s public freshwater ponds throughout the state. The public ponds, most of which are managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, range from five to 189 acres in size and support a variety of gamefish. The application can be used on mobile devices and can be found on the DNREC alpha website’s Public Pond Page.

The maps include useful details about each pond, such as access, depth contours, flow direction, areas of prominent vegetation, and surface acreage. Satellite imagery provides an on-the-ground perspective and allows users to zoom into specific areas on the pond or to zoom out to get a landscape perspective. Up-to-date research on the gamefish in each pond is included so anglers can plan their outing to cast for their favorite gamefish. Aquatic vegetation management and shoreline and boating access information is provided for each pond.

The interactive maps also include updated information on nine small DNREC-owned ponds. These ponds, which range in size from one-half to 10 acres, are geared for bank fishing, and are ideal for beginners and youth anglers. Additional information on small pond angling in Delaware is available online.

Delaware’s non-tidal fishing regulations apply, and a general fishing license is required for most anglers who fish these ponds and other waters throughout the state. Delaware fishing licenses are sold online, at the licensing office in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent nearest you, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

Find more information on fishing in Delaware in the 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.