FishKillFlea Delaware packs incredible fishing into the First State — Delaware Bay (one of Earth's largest estuaries), Cape Henlopen surf, Indian River Inlet structure, and freshwater ponds. Whether you hold a fishing license Delaware or a non-resident Delaware fishing license, the First State delivers year-round action — and saltwater is always FREE!
Saltwater — Delaware Bay & Atlantic (FREE!)
| Spot | Species | Daily Limit | Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Bay | Weakfish, drum, flounder, bluefish | Varies | One of Earth's largest estuaries — horseshoe crab spawning, migrating shorebirds |
| Indian River Inlet | Stripers, tog, flounder, bluefish | 1 striper (28″) | Premier DE structure fishing — jetties, bridge pilings |
| Cape Henlopen | Surf stripers, kingfish, flounder | 4 flounder (19″) | Drive-on surf fishing with surf plate — iconic DE experience |
| DE Seashore State Park | Surf stripers, bluefish, sharks | 3 bluefish | Miles of beach access — surf plate required for vehicles |
| Inland Bays (Rehoboth/Indian River) | Flounder, sea trout, crabs | Varies | Protected bays — kayak paradise |
Freshwater ($8.50 license)
| Water | Acres | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lums Pond | 200 | Largemouth, crappie, catfish | Largest DE freshwater — New Castle County |
| Killens Pond | 66 | Bass, bluegill, stocked trout | Central DE — trout stamp required for trout |
| Records Pond | — | Largemouth bass, catfish | Historic millpond charm |
| Brandywine Creek | — | Stocked trout, smallmouth | Northern DE — suburban trout fishing |
Delaware River Fishing
The Delaware River fishing license (DE side = $8.50) gives access to smallmouth bass, American shad (spring run!), catfish, and carp. This is boundary water with Pennsylvania and New Jersey — check reciprocal rules from each state.
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Striper migration, shad run, trout stocking | Indian River, DE River, ponds | Follow striper run north through the Bay |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Flounder, bluefish, surf fishing, pond bass | DE Bay, Cape Henlopen, Lums | Fluke drifting in the Bay; dawn on ponds |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Fall striper run, tog season, drum | Indian River Inlet, DE Bay jetties | Peak tautog on green crab bait |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Tog, winter flounder, holdover trout | Inlet jetties, stocked ponds | Tautog through ice-free jetties |
Fishing in Neighboring States
Planning a multi-state trip? Maryland for Chesapeake Bay, Pennsylvania for Susquehanna smallmouth, or New Jersey for Barnegat Bay. Key DE advantage: saltwater is completely FREE — no permit cost at all.
Freshwater is $8.50 — cheapest in the Mid-Atlantic! See full costs or buy your license.