Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

The Largemouth Bass adult is an olive green fish, marked by a series of dark, sometimes black, blotches forming a jagged dark stripe along each side.

They have a very large mouth.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	12 inch minimum (total length); except 15 inch minimum (total length) in Becks Pond
Daily Limit / Person	6; except 2 from Becks Pond
Delaware Range	Statewide
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Abundant
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Largemouth Bass can be found in ponds, streams, rivers, and other freshwater areas. They lurk among woody debris, docks, overhangs, and aquatic weeds. They feed on fishes, crayfish, frogs, small birds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
Did You Know?	Largemouth Bass are an introduced species to Delaware (meaning they are non-native). The Largemouth Bass has the largest mouth for its size of any freshwater fish and is a voracious predator.
Common Lures and Baits	Largemouth Bass are caught on lures that imitate fish, frogs, crayfish, and worms. Popular lures include spinnerbaits, plastic worms, jigs, and topwater lures. Large minnows or Golden Shiners, fished under bobbers, are favorite live baits.
Typical Sizes Caught	Largemouth Bass are commonly caught in the range of 12 to 16 inches in length (about 1 to 3 pounds) by Delaware anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 20 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 17 inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 5 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 3.5 pounds minimum
Delaware State Record	11 pounds 1.6 ounces Andrew Klein 2016

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