Spring Pond Trout Season to Open With Youth-Only Day March 4, Followed by Regular Downstate Opener March 5

Rainbow trout will be stocked soon in downstate ponds ahead of the March start of trout season in Kent and Sussex Counties. DNREC graphic by Duane Raver

 

Stocked Ponds Will be Closed to All Fishing from Saturday, Feb. 18 through Friday, March 3

Delaware’s 2023 downstate pond trout season will open for youth anglers under age 16 only at 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, followed by the opening of the regular trout season for all anglers a half-hour before sunrise on Sunday, March 5, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. Fishing will be allowed on youth opening day from 7 a.m. to a half-hour after sunset and from a half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset thereafter, unless otherwise restricted by area rules.

Both Tidbury Pond near Dover in Kent County and Newton Pond near Greenwood in Sussex County will be stocked and open for trout fishing pending pond ice conditions that might prevent either stocking or fishing.

To improve trout fishing for the season openers, Tidbury Pond and Newton Pond will be closed to all fishing from Saturday, Feb. 18 through Friday, March 3 to accommodate trout stocking, eliminate incidental hooking of trout and allow trout to adjust to their new waters.

Each pond will be stocked by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife with more than 300 pounds of 12- to 13-inch rainbow trout before opening day, with a second stocking to follow in mid-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 Pond 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 through April 1, unless an angler is exempt
  • The daily possession limit is six trout

Proceeds from the purchase of Delaware trout stamps are used to help purchase trout for stocking the 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’s trout season in upstate streams will open Saturday, April 1 with a youth-only day, followed by the opening of the regular trout season for all anglers on Sunday, April 2.

Delaware fishing licenses and trout stamps are sold online and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license or trout stamp online, visit de.gov/fishinglicense. Additional information about fishing in Delaware, including license and trout stamp requirements, is available in the 2023 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form 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, InstagramTwitter or LinkedIn.

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


Spring Trout Season to Open at Downstate Ponds With Youth-Only Day March 5

Stocked rainbow trout to be the big catch when the downstate spring trout season opens with a youth-only fishing day Saturday, March 5.

Rainbow trout illustration credit: Duane Raver for DNREC.

 

Stocked Ponds Closed to All Fishing from Saturday, Feb. 19 through Friday, March 4

Delaware’s 2022 downstate pond trout season will open for youth anglers only under age 16 at 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, followed by the opening of the regular trout season for all anglers at 7 a.m. the next day, Sunday, March 6, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. Fishing will be allowed both days from 7 a.m. to a half-hour after sunset unless otherwise restricted by area rules, with trout fishing open thereafter from a half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset unless otherwise restricted by area rules.

Both Tidbury Pond near Dover in Kent County and Newton Pond near Greenwood in Sussex County will be stocked and open for trout fishing pending pond ice conditions that might prevent either stocking or fishing. COVID-19 guidelines continue to recommend six feet of separation from other anglers, or approximately the length of many fishing rods.

To improve trout fishing for the season openers, Tidbury and Newton Pond will be closed to all fishing from Saturday, Feb. 19 through Friday, March 4 to accommodate trout stocking, eliminate incidental hooking of stocked trout and allow them time to adjust to their new waters.

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 mid-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 through April 1, unless an angler is exempt.
  • The daily possession limit is six trout.

Proceeds from the purchase of Delaware trout stamps are used to help purchase trout for stocking the 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 and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit de.gov/fishinglicense. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses and trout

stamps, call the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Recreational Licensing office at 302-739-9918.

Delaware’s trout season in upstate streams will open Saturday, April 2 with a youth-only day, followed by the opening of the regular trout season for all anglers on Sunday, April 3.

For more information about fishing in Delaware, including license and trout stamp requirements, please see the 2022 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form from license agents throughout the state or by calling 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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Pond Trout Season to Open Early

Trout being stocked last year for the 2020 downstate pond trout season. Only Newton Pond near Greenwood will have trout stocked this year.

Anglers Encouraged to Practice Responsible Social Distancing;
Newton Pond Closed for All Angling Feb. 23 Through 27 Until Opening

Delaware’s 2021 downstate pond 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’s plans are subject to change based on health and safety considerations, and any further restrictions or changes to the season will be announced. Anglers are encouraged to practice social distancing while fishing, which is currently six feet from other individuals, approximately the length of some fishing rods.

Only Newton Pond near Greenwood in Sussex County will be stocked with trout, where the trout fishing season will open several days earlier than previously scheduled, provided pond ice conditions do not prevent stocking or fishing. Trout fishing will be allowed for only youth anglers under age 16 on Sunday, Feb. 28 , followed by the opening of the regular trout season for all anglers on Monday, March 1, 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 Feb. 28 are not allowed to fish that day.

To improve trout fishing for when the season opens, Newton Pond is closed to all fishing Tuesday, Feb. 23 through Saturday, Feb. 27 to accommodate trout stocking, eliminate incidental hooking of trout and allow stocked trout time to adjust to their new waters.

Newton Pond will be stocked with more than 400 pounds of 12- to 13-inch rainbow trout before opening day, with additional stockings scheduled for the weeks of March 8 and 15. Trophy-sized trout weighing two or more pounds will also be stocked as an added attraction for trout anglers.

Trout anglers planning to fish 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 through April 1, 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 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.

Proceeds from the purchase of Delaware trout stamps are used to help purchase next year’s trout for stocking. 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 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 DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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