Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Color variations of the Brook Trout include olive, blue-gray, or black above with a silvery white belly and wormlike markings along the back.

They have red spots sometimes surrounded by bluish halos on their sides.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Streams open 1st Saturday in April Ponds open 1st Saturday in March
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	6 (All Trout species combined) 4 in fly-fishing only waters
Delaware Range	New Castle County - Christina Creek, White Clay Creek, Pike Creek, Mill Creek, Wilson Run, and Beaver Run Kent County - Tidbury Pond Sussex County - Newton Pond
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Occasionally stocked in Delaware Waters
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Brook Trout prefer clear, cool, well-oxygenated streams. They feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects and small fishes.
Did You Know?	Brook Trout are an introduced species to Delaware (meaning they are non-native). Commonly called a trout, the Brook Trout is actually a char and in the the salmon family. Brook Trout have a healthy appetite. In addition to their typical diet of insects and small fishes, they have also been known to eat small mammals. Brook Trout are occasionally stocked in Delaware waters. Summer temperatures limit trout survival and reproduction in Delaware waters so stocked fish are meant to be taken, but may be released at the anglers discretion.
Common Lures and Baits	Brook Trout can be caught with artificial flies and small spinners. Live bait often includes worms. Other common baits include corn, synthetic baits that are purchased in little jars, and even marshmallows.
Typical Sizes Caught	Stocked Brook Trout can measure anywhere between 8 and18 inches.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 16 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 15 inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 2 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 1.5 pounds minimum Brook Trout are eligible for the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament and Live Release "Trout" awards, but not currently eligible for an individual species award.
Delaware State Record	11 pounds 10 ounces Edwin Wallace 1997 "Trout" is a general category for Delaware records and can be any trout species. Brook Trout are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Delaware's Government