Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Atlantic Mackerel are iridescent blue green on the back with a silvery white underbelly.

About 20 to 30 wavy black bars run across the top half of their body forming stripes like a tiger.

Atlantic Mackerel differ from the Atlantic chub mackerel in lacking dusky spots on the bottom half of their body.

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	Abundant
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Atlantic Mackerel is an ocean schooling species traveling in schools that often contain thousands of fish. They feed on krill, shrimps, squids, and some small fishes.
Did You Know?	Fishermen have been harvesting Atlantic Mackerel in the Northeast since colonial times. In fact, colonists of the 1600s considered Atlantic Mackerel one of their most important commodities.
Common Lures and Baits	Atlantic Mackerel will readily take jigs, metal lures that resemble sand eels and mackerel trees, which are comprised of a small diamond jig proceeded by multiple hooks with surgical tubing resembling worms. Atlantic Mackerel can also be pursued with bait such as sand eels, sea worms, strips of squid, or small fish.
Typical Sizes Caught	Atlantic Mackerel are commonly caught in the range of 1 to 2 pounds by anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 17 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 15 inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 2 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 1.5 pounds minimum
Delaware State Record	3 pounds 5 ounces Ricky Yakimowicz 1985

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