A brown trout. /DNREC graphic by Duane Raver

Designated Trout Streams to be Closed to All Fishing from March 23 Until Season Openers

Delaware’s 2024 upstate stream trout season will open for youth anglers under age 16 at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced. The next day, Sunday, April 7, marks the traditional opening day of the state’s trout season – from that day forward all anglers can fish for trout starting a half-hour before sunrise until a 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 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.

A designated section of trout stream on Red Clay Creek was introduced in 2023 just for fly fishing, from Yorklyn Road approximately 0.4 miles downstream to the Auburn Valley State Park boundary. In addition, a digital map of Delaware’s trout streams is available to anglers.

To prepare for the season, the streams where trout will be stocked are closed from March 23 to April 5. This period accommodates the stocking effort by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, eliminates incidental hooking of the trout, and allows 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 the designated fly-fishing-only sections of Red Clay and White Clay Creeks, 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 – learn more at de.gov/troutstamp. 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 more information on trout fishing in Delaware, visit de.gov/trout.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, including in-season trout stocking dates, see the 2024 Delaware Fishing Guide.

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 more than 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, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

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

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More than 1,000 pounds of 12- and 13-inch rainbow trout were stocked today by DNREC in White Clay Creek for fall angling opportunities. /DNREC illustration by Duane Raver

Trout were stocked in White Clay Creek in northern New Castle County today to provide anglers opportunities 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 rainbow trout were stocked by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife from near the Pennsylvania state line downstream to Newark.

Trout anglers are reminded of the following rules and regulations:

• A Delaware recreational fishing license is required, unless an angler is exempt (a status which still requires an angler to obtain a Fisherman Identification Network number).
• 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 fishingis 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 fishingin or within 50 feet of the designated fly-fishing-only section of White Clay Creek.

Managed by the DNREC Fisheries Section, trout are purchased from hatcheries and stocked using revenue from anglers’ purchase of Delaware trout stamps. Trout stocking in Delaware also is 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 can be purchased online at de.gov/digitaldnrec, at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, Del. or from fishing license agents statewide. More information on fishing, fishing licenses and trout stamps in Delaware can be found at de.gov/recfishing.

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, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

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

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Rainbow trout were stocked today in White Clay Creek by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife for fall and winter angling opportunities. /DNREC graphic by Duane Raver

Trout were stocked in White Clay Creek in northern New Castle County today to provide anglers opportunities to fish for trout in the fall and winter, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. About 1,000 pounds of 12- to 13-inch rainbow trout 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 can be purchased online at de.gov/digitaldnrec, at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901 or from fishing license agents statewide. More information on fishing, fishing licenses and trout stamps in Delaware can be found at de.gov/recfishing.

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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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.

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, or Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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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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