Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Cunners range in color from mottled reddish to bluish brown on top, fading to slightly paler hues along their sides.

Their small mouth is lined with several rows of uneven cone shaped teeth.

Illustration by Sherman Foote Denton, courtesy NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Season	Open Year Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Common
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Cunners can be found in small groups or schools, preferring shallow coastal waters, near artificial reefs, wrecks, rocks, jetties, piers, and bridge pilings. They feed on crabs, mussels, and razor clams.
Did You Know?	Cunners are omnivorous. Besides eating crabs, mussels, and razor clams they will also eat aquatic vegetation.
Common Lures and Baits	Cunners do not take to artificial lures well. They are pesky bait stealers, and anglers who target them use the smallest hooks possible. Blood worms, grass shrimp, green crabs, and small strips of squid are often used on bottom rigs.
Typical Sizes Caught	Cunners are commonly caught in the range of 6 to 10 inches in length by Delaware anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Cunners are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award.
Delaware State Record	Cunners are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Cunner (Bergall)

Delaware's Government