As a coastal state filled with ponds, streams and other bodies of water, Delaware is brimming with fishing opportunities.  

But before you grab your fishing vest and tackle box and head out the door, remember that you can’t just show up and set up shop without a state fishing license.  

Here’s a guide to Delaware fishing licenses, including how and where to obtain one, restrictions, exemptions and more.  

Delaware fishing licenses 

In Delaware, a state recreational fishing license covers crabbing, clamming and recreational fishing in all First State waters, according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife also administers permits, stamps and passes for recreational fishing and hunting, and for state wildlife areas. 

Fishing licenses need to be purchased annually by recreational anglers. All proceeds from the issuance of fishing licenses contribute to a “special account for the purpose of matching and securing federal money allotted to Delaware under the provisions of the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act,” according to DNREC.

The funds support statewide conservation, management, restoration and enhancement of sportfish and the provisions for public use, which benefit from these resources.

Some of the fishing licenses, permits and stamps in Delaware include: 

• A Delaware Trout Stamp, which is needed for anglers fishing for trout. It costs $4.20 for residents ages 16 to 64, $2.10 for residents ages 12 to 15 and $6.20 for nonresidents ages 12 and older. Delaware residents ages 65 and older are exempt from needing a Delaware Trout Stamp.
• Surf-fishing permits, which are needed to surf-fish on both peak and off-peak days in Delaware. Residents and nonresidents are exempt from fishing license requirements if they operate a vehicle with a valid Delaware surf-fishing vehicle permit and the vehicle is located on a designated Delaware State Park surf-fishing area. Surf-fishing annual passes are also available. 
• Head boat and charter boat licenses, which are required for vessesls hired on a per-person or per-trip basis, respectively. Both the head boat and charter boat licenses cover paying passengers, the crew and the captain only while they are fishing aboard the vessel. These are issued directly from the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

DNREC’s Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police requires all boating and fishing events on the water to have a permit.  

Applications can be submitted online. Application submission does not guarantee event approval, and events conducted on state park land and water may require an entrance or admission fee. Activities like concessions, fundraising or other public events are not allowed without a special permit.

Surf-fishing FAQ: Delaware surf-fishing permits go on sale Tuesday. Reservations still needed for peak days

Fisherman Information Network numbers 

Along with a fishing license or resident boat fishing license, each angler will automatically have a Delaware Fisherman Information Network number issued to them at no cost. 

All Delaware anglers aged 16 or older are required to have an annual FIN number before fishing around the state.  

If you are exempt from fishing license requirements in Delaware, you may need to apply separately for a FIN number through Digital DNREC, an online permitting system,

How can I get my Delaware fishing license? 

Delaware fishing licenses can be purchased online or in person.

Digital DNREC is where recreational licenses, permits, passes and stamps can be purchased online. Fairly new, this system allows recipients to create user accounts and profiles to manage their licenses and permits.

For purchasing in person, visit the licensing desk inside DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building at 89 Kings Highway in Dover or an authorized license agent.

Where can I get my Delaware fishing license? 

If you want to obtain your recreational license, permit pass or stamp in person, here are places in Delaware that offer this service. Each location offers fishing, hunting and Conservation Access Passes unless otherwise noted.  

New Castle County 

• Al’s Sporting Goods, 200 North Market St., Wilmington, (302) 655-1511. 
• Cabela’s, 1100 Christiana Road #1410, Newark, (302) 266-2300. 
• Captain Bones, 3195 South Dupont Highway, (302) 378-4200. 
• Dick’s Sporting Goods, 100 Center Drive, Newark, (302) 738-8322 or 1000. Brandywine Parkway, Wilmington, (302) 477-9577. 
• Master Baiter’s, 775 South Dupont Highway, Unit 2, New Castle, (302) 834-2248.  
• Walmart, 705 Middletown Warwick Road, Middletown, (302) 449-1254; 117 Walton Blvd., New Castle, (302) 324-0900; or 1251 Centerville Road, Wilmington, (302) 683-9312. 

Kent County 

• Bowers Bayside Bait, 145 Hubbard Avenue, Frederica, (302) 682-0043. This location only sells fishing licenses.  
• Carlisle’s Marine, 49 Artisan Drive, Smyrna, (302) 389-0100. 
• Dick’s Sporting Goods, 1365 North Dupont Highway, Suite 6000, Dover, (302) 678-9160. 
• Smith’s Bait and Tackle, 500 Denny St., Leipsic, (302) 744-9140. 
• Oaks Outdoors, 3544 Williamsville Road, Houston, (302) 424-2277. 
• Smyrna Community Hardware, 456 W. Glenwood Avenue, Smyrna, (302) 653-1144. 
• Smyrna Sporting Goods, 4 South Main St., Smyrna, (302) 653-7073. 
• Walmart, 263 Walmart Drive, Camden, (302) 698-9170; 36 Jerome Drive, Cheswold, (302) 674-2159; or 939 North Dupont Highway, Milford, (302) 422-2854. 

Sussex County 

• Bethany Auto Parts & Marine, 13 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean View, (302) 539-0555. This location only sells fishing licenses. 
• Bob’s Marine Service, 3188 Roxana Road, Ocean View, (302) 539-3711. This location only sells fishing licenses. 
• G&E Hardware, 30244 Cedar Neck Road, Ocean View, (302) 539-1448.  
• H. C. Layton & Son, 406 Market Street, Bridgeville, (302) 337-8540.  
• Hook ‘em and Cook em’ Bait & Tackle, 39401 Inlet Road, Rehoboth, (302) 226-8220.  
• Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em Outfitters, Highway 1, York Beach Mall, South Bethany, (302) 539-6243. 
• Hopkin’s Gun Shop, 18647 Josephs Road, Milton, (302) 684-4878. 
• Lankford’s Gun Shop, 614 West Stein Highway, Unit 2, Seaford, (302) 536-7077. 
• Laurel Community Hardware, 1001 South Central Avenue, Laurel, (302) 280-6822. 
• Lewes Harbour Marina, 217 Anglers Road, Lewes, (302) 645-6627.  
• Lingo Marine, 121 Delaware Avenue, Millsboro, (302) 934-9877. This location only sells fishing licenses. 
• Old Inlet Bait & Tackle, 25012 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth, (302) 227-7974. 
• Rick’s Fishing Outdoor, 26019 Julias Lane, Long Neck, (302) 945-9245. This location only sells fishing licenses. 
• Rudy Marine Inc., 32606, Dupont Blvd., Dagsboro, (302) 999-8735. 
• Sam’s Fishing Tackle, 14260 Teattown Road, Greenwod, (302) 424-0197.  
• Short’s Marine, 32415 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, (302) 945-1200.  
• Tiderunners 3, 105 Anglers Road, Lewes, (302) 827-2533. This location only sells fishing licenses. 
• Vines Creek Marina & Tackle, 32213 Blue Crab Road, Dagsboro, (302) 732-6043. 
• Walker’s Marine, 26912 Walker Road, Seaford, (302) 629-8666. 
• Walmart, 4 College Park Lane, Georgetown, (302) 854-9454; 18922 Rehoboth Mall Blvd., Rehoboth, (302) 644-8014; or 22899 Sussex Highway, Seaford, (302) 628-1668. 

Fishing license exemptions and exceptions 

Delaware’s fishing and hunting regulations and state law provide several exemptions and exceptions to fishing and hunting licensing requirements, including:  

• While surf-fishing permits are not required for residents and nonresidents who are the operator of a vehicle with a valid Delaware sur fishing vehicle permit, other occupants in tow must have a resident or nonresident fishing license if they are fishing.  
• Seniors who are Delaware residents aged 65 years or older do not need to meet fishing license requirements. They must have proof of age and residency.  
• Children under 16 years old do not need to meet fishing license requirements or the FIN requirement. 
• Residents who own or live on a farm in Delaware containing 20 or more acres, and members of their immediate family living on the farm, may fish on that farm without a fishing license. The same applies for nonresidents who occupy farms in Delaware containing 20 acres and are engaged in the science of husbandry. Nonresidents who own but are not occupants of a farm in Delaware containing 20 or more acres, and where the science of husbandry is practiced, may fish on the land if the owner gives them written permission, or if fishing is permitted in the written lease. The same applies to their immediate family.  
• Anyone aged 16 and up who does not have an individual recreational fishing license and is fishing on a boat where the owner purchased a recreational boat fishing license, does not have to purchase a fishing license while fishing on board.  

Other exemptions apply for the following criteria and can be obtained by calling the Division of Fish and Wildlife at (302) 739-9918: 

• Any Delaware resident who is legally blind.  
• Any Delaware resident who fishes in a fee-fishing facility, registered as such with the Department of Agriculture.  
• Any Delaware resident that is a patient in a rehabilitation hospital under the Department of Health and Social Services.  

For more information, contact Trish Virdin, the licensing coordinator, at (302) 739-9918 or visit DNREC’s FAQ page about fishing licensing.https://dnrec.delaware.gov/fish-wildlife/licenses/fishing-license-questions/  

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.