SlotGaugeCheck a catchBlack Drum regulations in Delaware
Drums · Saltwater · 2026 season
Black Drum size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| State waters | Open year-round | 16 inch minimum | 3 per person per day |
Exact DNREC wording
- Season
- Open Year-Round
- Size
- 16 inch minimum (total length)
- Limit
- 3
Source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-09-20 (2026 season).
Check your black drum in seconds
Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's Delaware rules.
Open SlotGauge for Black DrumOften confused with
More drums
About the black drum
Species of fish
The black drum, also known as the drum or drummer, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean off the eastern coast of North and South America. Though most specimens are generally found in the 5-30 lb (2–14 kg) range, the largest black drum was just over 113 lb (51 kg), while in Argentina in 1971, a 48 kg black drum was captured. They are often black and/or gray in color with juvenile fish having distinctive dark stripes over a gray body. Their teeth are rounded and they have powerful jaws capable of crushing oysters and other shellfish. Black drum are capable of producing tones between 100 Hz and 500 Hz when performing mating calls.
Read more about Black drum on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, not Wikipedia.
All 196 Delaware species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Black Drum in Delaware?
16 inch minimum in Delaware state waters.
How many Black Drum can you keep per day in Delaware?
3 per person per day.
When is Black Drum season in Delaware?
Open year-round.
Is my Black Drum a keeper today?
A black drum is a keeper today if it measures at least 16 inches, with a daily limit of 3.