Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Atlantic Croakers have three to five pairs of small barbels or "whiskers" on their chin.

Adults are silver with a pinkish cast, while young are silvery and iridescent.

Older fish are brassy in color with brown vertical stripes on their sides.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	8 inch minimum (total length)
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and Inland Bays
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Abundant
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Atlantic Croakers are found in estuarine and nearshore coastal waters. They prefer mud, sand, and shell bottoms where they feed on marine worms, squids, shrimps, and small fishes.
Did You Know?	Atlantic Croakers get their name from the sound they often make when caught by an angler. The drumming or croaking sound is made by vibrating their swim bladder using special muscles. Those that weigh 2 pounds or more are affectionately called horses. The chin barbels ("whiskers") have taste buds that they use to detect bottom-dwelling food items.
Common Lures and Baits	Atlantic Croakers are most often caught bottom fishing with bloodworms, squid strips, or pieces of peeler crab on bottom rigs. Larger Atlantic Croakers are usually caught in nearshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Typical Sizes Caught	Atlantic Croakers are commonly caught in the range of 5 to 12 inches in length by Delaware anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 19 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 16 inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 3 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 2 pounds minimum
Delaware State Record	5 pounds 3.5 ounces Catherine Simpson 1980

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