Delaware's 2025 trout season is fully open. What anglers need to know

Yahoo

06-04-2025

Delaware's upstate trout season officially kicked off this weekend, giving young anglers a special head start before opening to the general public. Youth under the age of 16 had exclusive access to the streams beginning at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, ahead of the full season opening on Sunday for all anglers.
This follows the earlier launch of the downstate pond trout season, which opened to youth anglers on March 1. The regular downstate season began the following day, Sunday, March 2, allowing all anglers to fish across Kent and Sussex counties.
To fish legally in Delaware, adult anglers are required to have a state fishing license and a trout stamp. Youth between 12 and 15 must have a Young Angler Trout Stamp. Proceeds from trout stamp sales, along with funding from the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program, help support the state's annual trout stocking efforts.
Here's what else anglers need to know before heading out on the water this season.
In preparation for April's opening day, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, or DNREC, stocked thousands of trout across the state's fishing waters, including several trophy-sized fish weighing two pounds or more.
In northern Delaware, DNREC stocked several upstate streams with rainbow and brown trout, including White Clay Creek, Red Clay Creek, Christina Creek, Pike Creek, Beaver Run, Wilson Run and Mill Creek. To maintain quality fishing throughout the season, White Clay Creek will be restocked weekly through April, while other streams will be replenished periodically.
Downstate, officials announced more than 300 pounds of 12- to 13-inch rainbow trout were released into Tidbury Pond near Dover in Kent County and Newton Pond near Greenwood in Sussex County. Both locations also included a mix of larger, trophy-sized trout.
More: 7 Delaware town names that will make you do a double-take
Daily catch limits are set at six trout per angler, except in designated fly-fishing sections where the limit is four. DNREC's Division of Fish and Wildlife provides an online map that highlights designated trout fishing areas, including fly-fishing sections of Red Clay and White Clay Creeks.
Anyone between the ages of 12 and 64 who fishes for trout in Delaware is required to have a Delaware Trout Stamp. Fishing licenses and trout stamps can be purchased online or through licensed agents statewide. The license also covers recreational crabbing and clamming in Delaware waters.
Additionally, all recreational anglers aged 16 and over must obtain a Delaware-issued Fisherman Information Network, or FIN number, which is automatically assigned when purchasing a fishing license.
Visit de.gov/licensing for more information or to purchase.
Delaware residents aged 65 and older are exempt from the trout stamp requirement.
Additionally, drivers who hold a valid Delaware surf fishing vehicle permit are also exempt from fishing license requirements, as long as the vehicle is in a designated surf fishing area. However, this exemption does not apply to passengers in the vehicle.
For the most up-to-date fishing regulations, expert angling tips, and information on record-breaking catches, check out the 2025 Delaware Fishing Guide, available online.
To celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week, June 1–8, 2025, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife has designated June 7 and 8 as free fishing days. On these days, anyone can fish in Delaware waters without a fishing license. However, anglers aged 16 and older still need a Fisherman Information Network number to participate.
You can contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware trout season: How to fish and where to go