Anglers Encouraged to Practice Social Distancing; Trout Streams Closed to All Fishing from March 14 Until Opening

Delaware’s 2021 upstate stream trout season will open early to minimize opening day crowds and accommodate responsible outdoor recreation during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) period. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control encourages anglers to practice social distancing while fishing, which is currently six feet from other individuals, approximately the length of some fishing rods. Plans are subject to change based on health and safety considerations, and any further restrictions or changes to the season will be announced.

Trout fishing will be allowed for only youth anglers under age 16 on Sunday, March 28, followed by the opening of the regular trout season for all anglers on Monday, March 29, with fishing allowed both days from 7 a.m. to one half-hour after sunset unless otherwise restricted by area rules. Adults accompanying youth anglers on March 28 are not allowed to fish that day.

White Clay Creek, Red Clay Creek, Christina Creek, Pike Creek, Beaver Run, Wilson Run and Mill Creek will be stocked prior to the season with thousands of rainbow and brown trout, including some trophy-sized fish. Trout stocking is planned to continue weekly at White Clay Creek and periodically at the other streams during April.

To improve trout fishing when the season opens, stocked trout streams are closed to all fishing from Sunday, March 14 through Saturday, March 27 to accommodate trout stocking, eliminate incidental hooking of trout and allow stocked trout time to adjust to their new waters.

Trout anglers planning to fish the upstate trout streams should note the following rules and regulations:

• A Delaware fishing license is required, unless an angler is exempt.
• A Delaware trout stamp is required until June 30, unless an angler is exempt.
• Following the 7 a.m. start on the special youth-only day and on opening day, trout fishing at these streams 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, except inside or within 50 feet of the designated fly-fishing-only section of White Clay Creek where the daily possession limit is four trout.

Proceeds from the purchase of Delaware trout stamps are used to help purchase trout for stocking next year. This popular fishery is also 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 de.gov/fishinglicense and by license agents statewide, listed online at de.gov/LicenseAgents. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife licensing office at 302-739-9918.

Additional trout fishing information is available at de.gov/trout. Information on fishing in Delaware is available in the Delaware Fishing Guide or by calling the 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 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 65,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today it has reached its cap of 17,000 Delaware surf-fishing permits issued for the calendar year. With the cap figure attained, no more surf tag permits will be issued until December.

In 2019, the Delaware’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Council established a 17,000 cap on annual surf-fishing permit sales. The Division of Parks and Recreation implemented a first-come, first-served cap on the number of permits issued as the most equitable way to serve all beach users, and to manage a limited resource, while also protecting against overcrowding of parks beaches. This plan aligns with DNREC’s priority to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors to Delaware’s state parks system.

While surf fishing permit sales have ended for 2020, novice surf anglers are encouraged to view the “Surf Fishing at Delaware State Parks” informational video that explains surf-fishing rules and regulations in Delaware, what equipment is needed, how to drive on the beach and what to do if a vehicle gets stuck in the sand. There are no current restrictions for non-vehicle, walk-on fishing for those with a valid Division of Fish and Wildlife fishing license. Walk-on surf anglers should only use pedestrian foot traffic access points to access surf-fishing beaches and should use caution near drive-on access points.

Surf-fishing permits also serve as a Delaware State Parks Annual Pass that provides access to all 17 state parks. Park user fees, including surf-fishing permit fees, provide 65% of the Division of Parks and Recreation’s funding, and are used to operate and maintain the parks.

To learn more about fishing in Delaware State Parks, visit destateparks.com/Adventures/Fishing.

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. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov, Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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DOVER – With Delaware’s trapping season approaching, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education Program reminds both residents and non-residents of state trapper education requirements. Trappers born after Jan. 1, 1978, must pass a Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife-approved trapper education course before they can legally purchase a trapping license and trap in the First State.

Registration is now open for the one-day Trapper Education Course, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1, at the Kent County Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center, 3018 Bayside Drive, Dover, DE 19901.

All students who plan to attend the course must register in advance. To register, click Hunter Education Online Access and log in. After logging in, click “Sign me up” and select “Basic Trapper ED.” Students may also contact the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1.

Delaware’s trapper education course teaches students age 10 and older about trapping history and heritage, trapping ethics, equipment needed for trapping, fur handling, and laws and regulations. Students will also experience hands-on instruction with land and water trap sets.

Delaware’s 2019/2020 trapping season begins Dec. 1, 2019 in most areas of the state. For more information on trapping and seasons in Delaware, click on 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and from license agents throughout the state.

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

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

Vol. 49, No. 243

Hunting opportunities offered at many state wildlife areas

DOVER – Numerous Delaware hunting seasons open in October, including Sunday firearm deer hunting opportunities, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today. Deer hunting is allowed on all Sundays through the end of the deer season on Feb. 2, 2020, using only those hunting methods legal for the respective, established deer hunting seasons. Please refer to Sunday Hunting webpage for Sunday deer hunting information, including hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas.

Hunting seasons opening in October:

• Snow goose: Oct. 1-Jan. 31, 2020, and Feb. 8, 2020
• Antlerless deer: Oct. 4-6, 21, and 25-28, including Sundays
• Muzzleloader deer: Oct. 11-20, including Sundays
• Youth Waterfowl Hunt: Oct. 19
• Ducks, coots, and mergansers: first season split Oct. 25-Nov. 6
• Tundra swan, only by permit issued through a pre-season lottery, Oct. 25-Jan. 31, 2020

Continuing hunting seasons include:

• Moorhen, gallinule, sora, Virginia rail, king rail, and clapper rail: through Nov. 21
• Common snipe: through Nov. 30
• Archery and crossbow deer: through Feb. 2, 2020, including all Sundays
• Gray squirrel: through Feb. 1, 2020 (closed during November shotgun deer season)
• Coyote hunting season: through Feb. 28, 2020
• Crows: through Mar. 31, 2020 (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only)
• Groundhog: through June 30, 2020

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife offers many hunting opportunities on state wildlife areas. Wildlife area maps and rules are available at Wildlife Area Hunting Maps.

A Delaware hunting license or License Exempt Number (LEN) is required to hunt, and most waterfowl hunters require a Delaware waterfowl (duck) stamp. More information on hunting license and Delaware waterfowl stamp requirements is available at Delaware Licenses. Waterfowl and other migratory game bird (except crow) hunters will need a Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. To register for a LEN number or HIP number, hunters can go to Delaware Hunter and Trapper Registration or call toll free 1-855-335-4868. For hunters age 16 and older, a federal migratory bird stamp is also required to hunt waterfowl.

To purchase a hunting license, either in person or online, hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, must have a basic hunter education safety course card/number. Hunters who took a Delaware hunter safety course starting in 2008 can print their hunter safety card by going to http://de.gov/huntersafety. Hunters who took their Delaware hunter safety course before 2008 should call the Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1 to obtain a hunter safety card.

Registered motor vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife are required to display a Conservation Access Pass (CAP). Hunters can opt to receive one free annual CAP with the purchase of any Delaware hunting license. To obtain a CAP, hunters will need the registration card for the vehicle to which the pass will be assigned.

Delaware hunting licenses, Delaware waterfowl stamps, and Conservation Access Passes can be purchased online at Delaware Licenses, at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or from hunting license agents statewide. Federal migratory bird stamps are available at U.S. Post Offices, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges, and online at Federal duck stamps.

For more information on hunting, click 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide and Wildlife Area Hunting Maps. Hard copies of guide and newly-updated hunting maps are also available at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office. More information on hunting licenses, season details, and the Conservation Access Pass is also available by calling the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

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

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

Vol. 49, No. 237

DOVER – With fall hunting seasons approaching, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education Program reminds hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967 that they must successfully complete the Basic Hunter Education Course to obtain a Delaware Hunting License. Early pre-registration is advised due to limited class seating, with classes filling quickly as the hunting season approaches.

Course dates, times, and locations are available on DNREC’s Hunter Education Course Calendar, with additional classes to be scheduled based on class demand. Students must be 10 years of age or older to be able to take any Hunter Education Program course.

The Basic Hunter Education Course teaches students safety, ethics, firearm types, safe gun handling, marksmanship techniques, specialty hunting techniques, wildlife management, wildlife identification, survival, and Delaware hunting laws and regulations, as well as many other hunter safety-related topics. All Basic Hunter Education Course participants must participate in a live firearm firing session with a trained instructor.

Two options are available for the Basic Hunter Education Course:

• Traditional, in-person course offered at one of the classroom locations throughout the state. The in-person course is free of charge to all students.
• Online hunter education course with one of three private vendors, listed on the Hunter Education Course website, combined with a one-day in-person field course to complete the live firearm firing requirement. A fee is charged for taking the course online; the field day course is free.

The Delaware Hunter Education Program was first established in the early 1970s to help educate the public in safe hunting and to reduce hunting-related accidents. Since 1967, more than 35,000 hunters have received their hunter safety cards in Delaware, with a substantial decrease in hunting-related accidents.

To register for the program, click Hunter Education Online Access and select one of the options listed. For the required live-fire liability release, click Delaware Hunter Education. For more information, contact the Division of Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education Office at 302-735-3600, ext. 1.

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

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

Vol. 49, No. 211