Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

The Yellow Perch is very unique with its long body, yellow sides, dark vertical bars and orange fins.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	50 panfish total (no more than 25 Yellow Perch)
Delaware Range	Statewide
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Abundant
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Yellow Perch is a cool-water species and is most abundant in the open water of rivers and some ponds. They feed on aquatic insects, crayfish, fish eggs, and small fishes.
Did You Know?	Yellow Perch often congregate in large schools. They are poor swimmers. As a result, they swim in schools of 25 to 200 fish to protect themselves from predators. Sometimes schools of Yellow Perch are separated into male and female schools.
Common Lures and Baits	Yellow Perch can be caught with small spinners and small jigs. Live bait often includes meal worms, worms, and small minnows.
Typical Sizes Caught	Yellow Perch are commonly caught in the range of 8 to 10 inches in length by Delaware anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 12 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 10 inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 1 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 0.75 pounds (12 ounces) minimum
Delaware State Record	2 pounds 11 ounces Marvin Kessinger 1976

Delaware's Government