2022 Delaware State Parks Annual Pass, Surf Fishing Permit Sales Delayed

Annual passes are a convenient way to access the parks for the entire fee season from March 1 to Nov. 30.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today the sale of 2022 Delaware State Parks annual passes and surf fishing permits will be delayed due to nationwide supply chain disruptions. Due to this delay, 2021 surf fishing permits will be honored on surf fishing beaches through Jan. 31, 2022. Daily entrance to Delaware State Parks is free through Feb. 28, 2022.

While it is not known when the passes and permits will be available, the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation expects receipt in early 2022 and will begin sales immediately online, in state park offices and via retail sales agents. Off-peak surf fishing permits will also be made available for sale at that time. Off-peak permits allow anglers to drive-on surf fish during times when Delaware State Park beaches are not at capacity. Gift certificates are not available for these items.

Annual passes and surf fishing permits are usually available for sale between Black Friday and Christmas; however, the manufacturer is awaiting arrival of back-ordered materials needed to create the passes and permits.

Annual passes are a convenient way to access the parks for the entire fee season from March 1 to Nov. 30. Surf fishing permits allow individuals to drive onto designated sections of Delaware State Parks beaches for fishing.

For more information about annual passes or surf fishing permits, go to www.destateparks.com/Know/PassesTagsFees.

 

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 Enjoy the natural diversity of Delaware’s 17 state parks. Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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DNREC’s Low-Digit Surf Fishing Tag Auction Starts Nov. 22

Between Nov. 22 and Dec. 9, bidders will have the option to bid on 15 tags including tags 26, 54, 132, 211, 301, 454 and on nine “choice” categories, ranging from tags 51 to 9999. The highest bidder in each choice category can choose a number, if not already sold, within that category.

 

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will auction low-digit surf fishing plates starting Monday, Nov. 22, at 9 a.m., at www.usgovbid.com.

Between Nov. 22 and Dec. 9, bidders will have the option to bid on 15 tags including tags 26, 54, 132, 211, 301, 454 and on nine “choice” categories, ranging from tags 51 to 9999. The highest bidder in each choice category can choose a number, if not already sold, within that category.

The minimum bid for a low-digit surf fishing plate is $250. By state law, surf-fishing tags numbered 1 through 200 are limited to vehicles registered in Delaware.

The auction of low-numbered plates was authorized by the Delaware General Assembly in 2015 and allows the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation to auction low-digit tags to the highest bidder. This one-of-a-kind program has raised more than $500,000 to date and all proceeds directly benefit Delaware State Parks, which is 65% self-funded.

A low-digit surf fishing plate is not required to drive-on surf fish in Delaware State Parks. Annual surf fishing permits are anticipated to go on sale this winter.

For more information, visit www.destateparks.com/LowDigitTags or www.usgovbid.com.

 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 Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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State Park Offices to Reopen Tuesday with Limited Hours

Virtual Programs Offered While Nature Centers Remain Closed

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will reopen its state park offices Tuesday, Jan. 12, with limited hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. Park offices were closed from Dec. 24 through Jan. 11 to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The Indian River Life Saving Station (IRLSS) and Indian River Marina will both have limited hours for purchases, with the IRLSS open Wednesdays through Saturdays and the marina on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Those who wish to purchase Delaware State Parks Annual Passes and Surf-Fishing Permits are encouraged to do so online at www.destateparks.com/know/passestagsfees. The Delaware State Park fee season goes into effect March 1.

Delaware State Parks nature centers, which closed in mid-December to coincide with Gov. John Carney’s latest stay-at-home advisory, will remain closed.

No in-person programming will be held at Delaware State Parks while the nature centers are closed in order to eliminate gatherings of people from different households. Delaware State Parks will instead offer independent, online programming, such self-guided hikes, online activities and videos while nature centers are closed. The virtual programs will be posted on Delaware State Parks’ Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages, and at the Delaware State Parks Adventure Blog and www.destateparks.com/virtualparks.

For more information about Delaware State Parks, visit www.destateparks.com.

 

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 Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov or Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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UPDATE on DNREC operations in response to COVID-19

Events, including private rentals, canceled through May 15;
One-day cleaning period implemented between rentals of State Park cabins and cottages

DOVER, Del. – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control continues to focus on taking a proactive and preventative approach to keep communities and employees safe in the midst of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, while maintaining operations and services as best as possible.

Detailed information about events, meetings and online options is available at dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/coronavirus and destateparks.com/Covid19. A few of the updates include:

  • All Department events and programs scheduled from now through May 15 have been canceled, consistent with the Governor’s state of emergency order. The cancellations include private rentals and events at Delaware State Parks sites and facilities, such as picnics, 5Ks and parties. Organizers of events are being notified directly.
  • All state parks and wildlife areas remain open and no entrance fees will be charged through April 30. Anyone visiting a park or wildlife area is encouraged to engage in responsible social distancing practices and avoid groupings of people. Annual park passes, good for the entire season, and surf fishing tags should be purchased online only or at any third-party agents instead of at park offices or in the Dover office. Purchased park passes will be mailed before April 30. Conservation access passes needed for state wildlife areas after April 30 should also be purchased only online or at any third-party agents instead of the Dover office.
  • All state park campsites, cabins, bathhouses, and cottages continue to be open at this time. There will be at least one-day break between rental periods of cabins and cottages to allow for thorough, increased cleanings between guests.
  • Public hearings will be available via phone or video conference. The public will be able to submit comments about the subject of each hearing via email, online form, or regular mail. Verbatim transcripts will be prepared by a court reporter while all exhibits entered into the hearing record will be posted on hearing-specific DNREC webpages. Specific information on how to access each hearing will be posted with individual hearing notices.
  • Sales of fishing licenses, hunting licenses, wildlife area conservation access passes and boat registrations will be online transactions only or made at any third-party vendors that remain open. The Department has provided convenient links to these resources on its homepage, available at dnrec.delaware.gov.
  • Commercial fishing license sales will continue at the Department’s main office in Dover but by appointment only. Call 302-739-9916 to make an appointment.
  • Applications and information provided for well, septic, air, water and other permits are being accepted by email, mail and phone, reducing direct interchange of documents.
  • Offices remain open, but with limited services. A limited number of staff are onsite, but many personnel are working remotely, and available by email and phone to provide technical assistance to the public, contractors, and environmental consultants on regulatory inquiries and permitting matters.

For the latest information on COVID-19 in Delaware, visit de.gov/coronavirus.

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.

Contact: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov


DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation Low-Digit Surf-Fishing Tag Auction starts Black Friday

Dover — DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will auction Low-Digit Surf Fishing Tags starting Black Friday, Nov. 29 at www.usgovbid.com.

Between Nov. 29 and Dec. 11, bidders will have the option to bid on 10 tags, including tags 36, 63, 125 and 225, and on six “choice” categories, ranging from tags 51 to 9999. The highest bidder in each choice category can choose a number, if not already sold, within that category.

The minimum bid for a surf fishing tag is $250. By state law, surf-fishing tags numbered 1 through 200 are limited to vehicles registered in Delaware.

The auction of low-numbered plates was authorized by the Delaware General Assembly and allows DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation to auction low-digit tags to the highest bidder. All proceeds directly benefit Delaware State Parks, which is 65 percent self-funded.

For more information visit www.destateparks.com/LowDigitTags or www.usgovbid.com or by phone at 302-739-9200.

Media Contact: Shauna McVey, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, 302-739-9220