Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

The Northern Stargazer has a blackish-brown body with white spots that gradually get bigger from the head to the tail.

It has a large head with mouth and eyes located on the top, facing upward.

The tail has three dark, horizontal lines.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Uncommon
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Northern Stargazers utilize nearshore coastal waters burying themselves in the sand waiting for prey. They feed on small fishes, shrimps, and crabs.
Did You Know?	The Northern Stargazer possesses a special talent; it is able to create weak electrical currents (up to 50 volts) from a specialized organ located behind the eyes.
Common Lures and Baits	Northern Stargazers are usually caught accidentally by anglers fishing for other species. They can be caught with strips of squid, cut pieces of fish, or pieces of peeler crab on bottom rigs. Because of the stargazer's ability to produce electrical currents, live specimens of this species should be handled with care.
Typical Sizes Caught	In general, Northern Stargazers are caught by anglers in the range of 8 to 15 inches in length.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Northern Stargazers are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award.
Delaware State Record	Northern Stargazers are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

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