Upstate Trout Season to Open in New Castle County Streams with Youth-Only Day April 2

A brown trout, one of two species – rainbows the other – to be stocked this year in Delaware’s upstate trout streams. Graphic: Duane Raver for DNREC

Designated Trout Streams Closed to All Fishing Saturday, March 19 through Friday, April 1

Delaware’s 2022 upstate stream trout season will open for only youth anglers under age 16 at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, followed by the opening of the regular trout season for all anglers at 7 a.m. the next day, Sunday, April 3, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. Fishing will be allowed both days from 7 a.m. to one half-hour after sunset unless otherwise restricted by area rules, with trout fishing open thereafter from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset unless otherwise restricted by area rules.
White Clay Creek, Red Clay Creek, Christina Creek, Pike Creek, Beaver Run, Wilson Run and Mill Creek all will be stocked prior to the season with thousands of rainbow and brown trout, including some trophy-sized fish weighing two pounds or more as an added attraction for anglers. Trout stocking is planned to continue weekly at White Clay Creek and periodically at the other upstate streams during April.

To improve trout fishing for the season openers, stocked trout streams are closed to all fishing from Saturday, March 19 through Friday April 1 to accommodate trout stocking, eliminate incidental hooking of stocked trout, and allow the fish 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 for anglers age 16 and older, unless an angler is exempt.
A Delaware trout stamp is required for those age 16 and older, unless an angler is exempt.
A Delaware young angler trout stamp is required for youth ages 12 through 15.
A trout stamp is required to fish for trout until June 30, unless an angler is exempt.
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 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/licensing. 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.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, including in-season stocking dates, license and trout stamp requirements, see the 2022 Delaware Fishing Guide or 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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Trout Stocked in White Clay Creek to Provide Fall Fishing Opportunities

An image of a rainbow trout by the acclaimed fish and wildlife artist Duane Raver

Rainbow trout were stocked in White Clay Creek today to provide anglers the opportunity to fish for trout in the fall and winter, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced. About 1,000 pounds of 12- to 13-inch rainbows were stocked from near the Pennsylvania state line downstream to Newark.
Trout anglers are reminded of the following rules and regulations:

A Delaware fishing license is required, unless an angler is exempt.
A Delaware trout stamp is required through Nov. 30 to fish in White Clay Creek, as well as other designated trout streams stocked earlier this year, unless an angler is exempt.
Trout fishing 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 for a daily possession limit of four trout when fishing in or within 50 feet of the designated fly-fishing-only section of White Clay Creek.

Managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, trout are purchased from hatcheries and stocked using revenue from anglers purchasing Delaware trout stamps. Trout stocking in Delaware is also supported by federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration funds generated by 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/fishinglicenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses and trout stamps, call the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife licensing office at 302-739-9918.

Additional information on fishing in Delaware is available in the 2021 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form from license agents throughout the state, or by request from the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Fisheries section by calling 302-739-9914.

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

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DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announces annual fall trout stocking of White Clay Creek

NEWARK – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today the annual fall trout stocking of White Clay Creek, an annual tradition since 2007 to provide anglers an opportunity to fish for trout in the fall. Since rainbow trout are a cold water species that do not survive the summer, fish stocked now should provide action throughout the fall and winter.

Fisheries staff and volunteers stocked about 1,000 pounds of trout, including 850 pounds of 12-13 inch rainbow trout, 100 pounds of 12-13 inch brown trout, and 50 pounds of 12-13 inch golden rainbow trout throughout White Clay Creek from near the Pennsylvania border downstream to Newark.

The daily possession limit is six trout per person, except that the daily possession limit is four trout per person when fishing in or within 50 feet of the designated fly-fishing-only section of White Clay Creek.

A Delaware fishing license is required for most anglers to fish for trout. The resident annual recreational fishing license, which covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Persons under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses or trout stamps, although exempt persons may do so to help support fisheries management and trout stocking efforts. For non-resident anglers age 16 and older, an annual fishing license costs $20.

Both resident and non-resident anglers age 16 and older also are required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number. The free number is included as part of a Delaware fishing license purchase. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older, may visit www.delaware-fin.com or call 800-432-9228 toll-free to obtain their free FIN number.

In addition to Delaware’s normal fishing license requirements, most trout anglers must purchase a Delaware Trout Stamp to fish in designated trout streams, including in White Clay Creek from Oct. 6 through Nov. 30. For residents age 16 through 64, a trout stamp costs $4.20. For residents age 12 through 15, a youth trout stamp costs $2.10. For non-residents, a trout stamp is required for all anglers age 12 and older and costs $6.20. Resident anglers younger than age 12 or age 65 and older are not required to purchase a trout stamp.

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.

Delaware’s trout stocking program is funded by Delaware trout stamp revenues and a Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration grant administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Trout anglers directly support trout stocking through the purchase of trout stamps, with all proceeds directly purchasing trout from hatcheries for stocking.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, please see 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.

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

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

Vol. 48, No. 286

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DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife announces spring 2018 trout stocking and opening for downstate ponds

Trout anglers encouraged to check requirements before fishing

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife today announced that Delaware’s spring 2018 downstate trout season will begin Saturday, March 3, with the opening of two downstate ponds stocked with rainbow trout, provided pond ice conditions do not prevent stocking or fishing. On that date, Tidbury Pond near Dover in Kent County and Newton Pond near Greenwood in Sussex County will open for trout fishing beginning at 7 a.m.

“As in past years, we plan to stock each of these ponds with more than 300 pounds of 12- to 13-inch rainbow trout before opening day, with a second stocking later in the month,” said Fisheries Administrator John Clark. “We will also include some trophy-sized trout weighing 2 pounds or more as an added attraction for trout anglers.”

Trout anglers planning to fish the waters of Tidbury and Newton ponds will want to note Fish & Wildlife regulatory requirements:

A trout stamp is required to fish these ponds from the first Saturday in March through April 1, unless otherwise exempted by law.
Following the opening day 7 a.m. start, trout fishing at these two ponds is permitted 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 this restriction in effect from Saturday, Feb. 17 until opening day March 3. This pre-season closure enables completion of trout stocking, eliminates incidental trout hooking by anglers fishing for other species, gives stocked trout time to acclimate to their new waters, and improves fair access to the fishery.

A Delaware fishing license is required for most anglers fishing for trout. In addition, most trout anglers also must purchase a Delaware trout stamp. For residents age 16 through 64, a trout stamp costs $4.20. For residents age 12 through 15, a young angler trout stamp costs $2.10. Resident anglers younger than age 12 or age 65 and older are not required to purchase a trout stamp. For non-residents, a trout stamp is required for all anglers age 12 and older and costs $6.20.

For more information, click Delaware Trout Season. For general information on fishing in Delaware, click 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.

All proceeds from the purchase of Delaware trout stamps are used to help purchase next year’s fish for stocking. The popular fishery also is supported by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration funds generated from anglers purchasing fishing equipment.

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

Vol. 48, No. 30

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

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announces annual fall trout stocking for White Clay Creek

NEWARK – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today the annual fall trout stocking for White Clay Creek – a DNREC practice since 2007 allowing anglers an opportunity to do some fall fishing in a mellow sporting season. “It’s a beautiful time of year to enjoy some peace and quiet and catch some nice fish,” said Fisheries Section Administrator John Clark. “And, since rainbow trout are a cold water species, fish stocked in the fall should provide action throughout the fall and winter.”

Fisheries staff and volunteers stocked trout totaling about 1,000 pounds, including 700 pounds of 12- to 13-inch rainbows, throughout White Clay Creek near the Pennsylvania border downstream to Newark. Also included this year in White Clay Creek, which offers the most public access of any Delaware trout stream, were 100 pounds each of brown, brook, and golden rainbow trout.

The daily possession limit is six trout per person. When fishing in or within 50 feet of the designated fly-fishing-only section, the daily possession limit is four trout.

Delaware’s trout stocking is conducted under the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Trout anglers support the program directly through the purchase of the required trout stamp along with the regular resident or non-resident fishing license. All proceeds from the purchase of Delaware Trout Stamps go directly towards the purchase of trout from hatcheries.

A Delaware fishing license is required for most anglers wishing to try their luck at trout fishing. A resident annual recreational fishing license, which covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Persons under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses or trout stamps, although exempt persons may do so if they so choose to help support fisheries management and trout stocking efforts. For non-resident anglers age 16 and older, an annual fishing license costs $20.

In addition to Delaware’s normal fishing license requirements, most trout anglers must purchase a Delaware Trout Stamp to fish in designated trout streams including White Clay Creek from Oct. 7 to Nov. 30. For residents age 16 through 64, a trout stamp costs $4.20. For residents age 12 through 15, a youth trout stamp costs $2.10. For non-residents, a trout stamp is required for all anglers age 12 and older and costs $6.20. Resident anglers younger than age 12 or age 65 and older are not required to purchase a trout stamp.

Delaware fishing licenses 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 on fishing in Delaware, please see the 2017 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.

Vol. 47, No. 223

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