Division of Fish & Wildlife

Delaware has new fishing license requirements for 2008: A fishing license now covers both fresh and tidal waters, and for the first time, Delaware residents and non-residents fishing tidal waters must be licensed. License cost is the same for residents ($8.50) as in years past, whether fishing fresh or tidal waters, but costs more for non-residents who will fish either.

The passage of House Bill 107 into law requires anglers in Delaware to have a fishing license for both fresh and tidal waters, while the license also is valid for recreational crabbing and clamming. The new licensing law includes new fees for charter boats and head boats and an option for a recreational boat fishing license.

• Frequently asked questions about the new Delaware fishing license fees
  • Fishing license FAQs (printable version)

The fee for an annual resident fishing license remains $8.50. The non-resident fee has increased from $15 to $20 per year, while the seven-day tourist license has risen from $5.20 to $12.50. Each of these license options entitles the holder to fish in any of Delaware's waters, as well crabbing and clamming. With licenses good for the calendar year, enforcement for the new tidal license began Jan. 1, 2008.

“This landmark legislation marks the first fishing license increase in Delaware since 1985,” said Fisheries Administrator Roy Miller. “The much-needed revenue generated by these changes enables us to do a great many things benefiting Delaware anglers—including the immediate reinstatement of the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament, which was reluctantly suspended due to lack of funding last year.”

The new charter boat fee, for a vessel hired on a per-trip basis, will cost $150 annually for resident charter boat owners and $300 for non-resident owners. A head boat license, for a vessel hired on a per-person basis, will cost $300 annually for residents and $600 for non-residents. Both the charter and head boat fishing licenses will cover the license holder as well as all persons fishing from the licensed vessel.

Having a boat fishing license is an option that means anyone fishing on that boat will not need a separate fishing license. Thus a boat owner can hold a boat fishing license that takes the place of a fishing license for everyone aboard his vessel. A resident who buys a boat fishing license also will be given a regular fishing license to use anywhere in the state. Non-resident holders of boat fishing licenses will need to purchase a non-resident fishing license to fish elsewhere in Delaware when not aboard their vessels. (See frequently asked questions for more information about the boat fishing license.)

Residents and non-residents are exempt from fishing license requirements if they are the operator of a vehicle with a valid Delaware surf fishing vehicle permit as long as the vehicle is located on a designated Delaware State Park surf fishing area. Normal licensing provisions will apply to other occupants of that vehicle if they are fishing.

Children under the age of 16 and senior residents 65 and older are exempt from the new licensing provisions.

Under state and federal law, all fishing license revenue must be dedicated to the Division of Fish and Wildlife for fishing-related projects and cannot be diverted for other uses. The new law also establishes the Council on Recreational Fishing Funding, with seven voting members to be appointed by the Governor to advise the Division on expenditure of recreational fishing license funds generated. The Council, which will also have three non-voting members (two from the General Assembly and one from the Division), will meet once or twice a year.

The new licenses will be available at licensing agents statewide in December and purchased online in November. For more information or to obtain a fishing license, please call 302-739-9914, 9911, or 9918.