Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Tiger Trout possess a unique, dark maze-like pattern (“tiger stripes”) all over a brownish, gray body.

The belly is yellowish orange.

Illustration by Karen Talbot, courtesy of www.karentalbotart.com

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 water
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	Rarely stocked in Delaware Waters
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Tiger Trout prefer clear, cool, well-oxygenated streams. They feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects and small fishes.
Did You Know?	Tiger Trout are an introduced species to Delaware (meaning they are non-native). The Tiger Trout is a sterile hybrid of the Brown Trout and the Brook Trout. Pound for pound, their aggression and fighting ability surpasses all other Trout. 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	Tiger 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 Tiger Trout can measure anywhere between 9 and 21 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 Tiger 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. Tiger Trout are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Delaware's Government