Delaware Pond Hoppers

06/06/2026

🎣 This Saturday & Sunday (June 6–7), fishing is FREE in Delaware waters! No license required to fish, crab, or clam in any DE waters. Anglers 16+ still need a free FIN number. Get yours at de.gov/digitaldnrec.

Read the full press release: https://news.delaware.gov/2026/05/07/dnrec-announces-june-6-and-7-will-be-free-fishing-days-in-delaware-waters/

06/05/2026

Fishing Report for Thursday, May 28, 2026

White perch and catfish are still the main catch from the shore of Delaware Bay and River from Augustine Beach down to Woodland Beach and in tidal creeks up and down the state. Black drum were caught on the Coral Beds and from Broadkill Beach. Broadkill Beach also reported bluefish and striped bass. Large bluefish to 13 lbs. were still being caught in the Broadkill as far upstream as Oyster Rocks. The Cape Henlopen State Park Fishing Pier reported bluefish and striped bass around the high tide.

The surf was too rough to fish.

Striped bass and bluefish were caught at the Indian River Inlet at dawn and dusk.

Black sea bass fishing was good in the Inshore Ocean.

In freshwater, crappie fishing was good in many of the ponds.

PFDs and seat belts save lives.

📷: Isreal Mora

05/22/2026

Fishing Report for Thursday, May 21, 2026

A few striped bass were still being from the shore of Delaware Bay and River from Augustine Beach down to Woodland Beach but white perch and catfish were the main catch. White perch were caught in tidal creeks up and down the state. Black drum were caught on the Coral Beds and from Broadkill Beach. Broadkill Beach also had a nice mix of bluefish, black drum and striped bass with large bluefish again being caught in the Broadkill as far upstream as Oyster Rocks. Cape Henlopen State Park Fishing Pier reported some flounder and bluefish.

When surf conditions allowed it, good fishing continued with striped bass, black drum and the first kingfish of the season.

With tautog season closed until July 1, the target at the Indian River Inlet is striped bass and bluefish.

Black sea bass fishing was decent in the Inshore Ocean.

In freshwater, bass and crappie were reported from Lums and and Massey Mill Ponds and crappie were caught in many ponds.

This is a good time for surf fishing.

📷: M. Ostroski

05/08/2026

Come show your support? Warriors on the Water Limited & Jim Nearly's Live Bait & Tackle this Sat May9th to support our Military/ Veterans, First Responders & Law Enforcement. Cast Of Nasties Baits is proud to Sponsor Oxford Borough Police Department at this year's 8th annual Armed Forces Day.

Check out CAST OF NASTIES BAITS’s video.

05/07/2026

May 7th Delaware Fishing Report
Please be safe out there, remember to wear your PFD when you're on the water.

Fishing Report for Thursday, May 7, 2026

Big striped bass were still being reported in Delaware Bay and River at Augustine Beach and Collins Beach. White perch were caught in tidal creeks up and down the state. Black drum were caught on the Coral Beds and from Broadkill Beach. Big bluefish were caught in the Broadkill at Oyster Rocks.

Good surf fishing continued with bluefish, striped bass and black drum all in the mix.

Morning was the best time to catch stripers in the Indian River Inlet and tog are still being caught from the rocks at the Indian River Inlet.

In freshwater, citation trout were caught on the New Castle streams while bass fishing was good in Garrisons Lake and Silver Lake Dover.

Wear your PFD!

📷: Jinx Steele

05/01/2026

Fishing Report for May 1, 2026

Big striped bass were reported in the Delaware Bay and River at Augustine Beach, the Woodland Beach Pier and at Broadkill Beach. White perch were caught in tidal creeks up and down the state.

Black drum were caught at Broadkill Beach and some flounder were caught in the Lewes Rehoboth Canal.

Exciting news from the surf and Indian River Inlet - bluefish up to 12 lbs. were caught at 3Rs and from the rocks at the inlet.

In freshwater, nice crappie were caught in Garrisons Lake, Masseys Mill and Silver Lake Dover while the blue cat action continues on the Nanticoke.

Use metal lures to catch big blues.

📸:Jason Schuster

05/01/2026

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control revised 2026-2027 recreational fishing state regulations earlier this month for black sea bass to reflect a greater abundance of the species for anglers to catch.

After some uncertainty from the federal government, NOAA Fisheries has now taken regulatory action so that the same new regulations for Delaware will apply to recreational fishing for black sea bass, whether an angler is fishing in state or federal waters.

The revised state regulations, which go into effect when the season opens May 1, also will keep Delaware in compliance with the black sea bass fishery management plan of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).

The 2026 and 2027 changes for Delaware recreational anglers will reduce the minimum size for black sea bass from 13 to 12.5 inches, open the black sea bass season sooner (May 1, compared to two weeks later in previous years) and eliminate an in-season closure from Oct. 1 through Oct. 9. The recreational daily black sea bass possession limit remains at 15.

Illustration: Duane Raver Jr.

04/15/2026

Need boat captains for this sat April 18th at Lums Pond. Please read details below. Click on Ike Foundation post and link will be in the comments. Youth are the next generation to bring a smile on their faces when they catch that fish. #

Calling all boat captains! We need your help this Saturday, April 18th, at Lums Pond for our first Youth/HS tournament of the year to get some kids out on a boat and fishing!

Don’t worry, these tournaments are only a few hours, from 7am-12pm, so it won’t be a full day!

If this is something you are able to help with, click the link in comments to get registered, otherwise send us an email to [email protected] and we will get you taken care of!

04/15/2026

Caught 3, all under 12" Just a bit windy out there. Oh, caught a nice tan. Trying get more fish on the board for MONSTERBASS tournament. The other day they were hitting on Cast Of Nasties Baits SJChoice stix worm and today it was some crazy purple with blue/purple highlights.

04/13/2026

With Mike Iaconelli – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉