NEWARK, DE – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today the annual fall trout stocking of White Clay Creek, an annual tradition since 2007 to provide anglers an opportunity to fish for trout in the fall. Since rainbow trout are a cold water species that do not survive the summer, fish stocked now should provide action throughout the fall and winter.
Fisheries staff and volunteers stocked about 1,000 pounds of trout, including 850 pounds of 12-13 inch rainbow trout, 100 pounds of 12-13 inch brown trout, and 50 pounds of 12-13 inch golden rainbow trout throughout White Clay Creek from near the Pennsylvania border downstream to Newark.
The daily possession limit is six trout per person, except that the daily possession limit is four trout per person when fishing in or within 50 feet of the designated fly-fishing-only section of White Clay Creek.
A Delaware fishing license is required for most anglers to fish for trout. The resident annual recreational fishing license, which covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Persons under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses or trout stamps, although exempt persons may do so to help support fisheries management and trout stocking efforts. For non-resident anglers age 16 and older, an annual fishing license costs $20.
Both resident and non-resident anglers age 16 and older also are required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number. The free number is included as part of a Delaware fishing license purchase. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older, may visit www.delaware-fin.com or call 800-432-9228 toll-free to obtain their free FIN number.
In addition to Delaware’s normal fishing license requirements, most trout anglers must purchase a Delaware Trout Stamp to fish in designated trout streams, including in White Clay Creek from Oct. 6 through Nov. 30. For residents age 16 through 64, a trout stamp costs $4.20. For residents age 12 through 15, a youth trout stamp costs $2.10. For non-residents, a trout stamp is required for all anglers age 12 and older and costs $6.20. Resident anglers younger than age 12 or age 65 and older are not required to purchase a trout stamp.
Delaware fishing licenses and trout stamps are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.
Delaware’s trout stocking program is funded by Delaware trout stamp revenues and a Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration grant administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Trout anglers directly support trout stocking through the purchase of trout stamps, with all proceeds directly purchasing trout from hatcheries for stocking.
For more information on fishing in Delaware, please see the 2018 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.
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~ DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife