Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

The Warsaw Grouper is somewhat football-shaped and is uniformly dark brown or a reddish-brown to almost black on top.

It can sometimes have whitish blotches on the sides.

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	Rare - this species is more common south of Delaware.
General Habitat and Food Preferences	The Warsaw Grouper prefers irregular bottoms, valleys, and drop-offs occurring in waters 350 to 650 feet deep. They feed on crabs, lobsters, shrimps, and fishes.
Did You Know?	The Warsaw Grouper has a huge mouth, enabling it to engulf prey whole after capturing it.
Common Lures and Baits	Occasionally Warsaw Grouper are caught accidentally by anglers fishing for tilefish. They are caught on bottom rigs baited with cut pieces of fish or squid. Because of the great depth of water, five-pound weights are used on the bottom rigs.
Typical Sizes Caught	Generally, Warsaw Grouper are caught by anglers in the range of 30 to 80 pounds.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Warsaw Grouper are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award, but a large specimen may qualify for an “Unusual Species” award.
Delaware State Record	Warsaw Grouper are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Delaware's Government