Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Pigfish are gray to blue on the back. Their sides are light tan or whitish with orange lines and diagonal bars (stripes).

The back is elevated and it has a long, tapered snout.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean and Inland Bays
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Uncommon - this species is more common south of Delaware.
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Pigfish prefer shallow coastal waters with sand or mud bottoms. They feed on small fishes and shrimps.
Did You Know?	Their common name, “Pigfish,” probably comes from the grunting noises they make when being caught by an angler.
Common Lures and Baits	Pigfish are caught with light spinning gear using cut bait or shrimp on small hooks. They will also take small jigs or small plugs.
Typical Sizes Caught	In general, Pigfish are caught by anglers in the range of 6 to 12 inches in length.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Pigfish are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award.
Delaware State Record	Pigfish are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Delaware's Government