Delaware Requiring Saltwater Fishing License

Anyone wishing to fish, crab, or clam in tidal waters in Delaware will now be required to obtain a license to do so. This includes all waters on the Delaware side of the bay as well as portions of the Delaware River. It is also important to understand that in the section of the Delaware River between the upstream tip of Artificial Island and the Delaware-Pennsylvania state line, the Delaware state boundary extends to the New Jersey shoreline. (See area between red lines on map) This means that technically anyone fishing by boat in the part of the river is in the jurisdiction of Delaware and required to have a license. When fishing from shore in New Jersey along that section of the river, a Delaware fishing license is not required.

Fees for the license are as follows…

·          Resident annual fishing license - $8.50

·          Non-resident annual fishing license - $20.00

·          7-day tourist fishing license - $12.50

·          Charter boat license (vessel hired on a per trip basis) - $150 for Residents/$300 Non-Resident

·          Head boat license (vessel hired on a per person basis) - $300 Resident/$600 Non- Resident

·          Recreational Boat license less than 20’- $40 - Same cost for Residents and Non-Residents.

·          Recreational Boat license longer than 20’- $50 - Same cost for Residents and Non-Residents.