Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Brown Trout are light brown or tawny with pronounced black spots on the back, sides, and head.

The spots are often surrounded with a reddish halo, along with reddish spots on the 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	Brown Trout prefer clear, cool, well-oxygenated streams. They feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects, crayfish, salamanders, frogs, rodents, and small fishes.
Did You Know?	Brown Trout are an introduced species to the United States (meaning they are non-native). The first introductions of Brown Trout into waters of the United States occurred in Michigan in 1884. Brown Trout hybridize with brook trout to produce the Tiger Trout. Brown 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	Brown Trout can be caught with artificial flies and small spinners. Live bait often includes worms and minnows. Other common baits include corn, synthetic baits that are purchased in little jars, and even marshmallows.
Typical Sizes Caught	Stocked Brown Trout can measure anywhere between 8 and 24 inches in length.
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 Brown 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. Brown Trout are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Delaware's Government