Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

White Perch have a completely silver body with a darker back and lighter colored belly.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	8 inch minimum (total length)
Daily Limit / Person	Non-Tidal Waters: 50 panfish total (no more than 25 white perch) Tidal Waters: No Limit
Delaware Range	Statewide
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Abundant
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Although White Perch favor brackish waters of rivers, they are also found in many Delaware ponds. They prefer to eat small fishes, grass shrimp, and marine worms.
Did You Know?	White Perch are a very abundant fish in the Delaware Bay estuary and can spend their entire lives there. They are closely related to striped bass.
Common Lures and Baits	White Perch can be caught with artificial flies, small spinners, and small jigs. Popular natural baits include small minnows, grass shrimp, and bloodworms fished on small bottom rigs.
Typical Sizes Caught	White Perch are commonly caught in the range of 7 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 9 ounces Wayne Hastings 1997

Delaware's Government