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Black Sea Bass regulations in Delaware

Basses (Sea) · Saltwater · 2026 season

Black Sea Bass
Is it a keeper? A black sea bass is a keeper today if it measures at least 12.5 inches, with a daily limit of 15.

Black Sea Bass size limit, season and daily limit

WhereSeasonSize limitDaily limit
State watersMay 1 – December 3112.5 inch minimum15 per person per day

Notes

Exact DNREC wording

Season
May 1 through December 31.
Size
12.5 inch minimum (measured from the tip of the snout or jaw (mouth shut) to the farthest extremity of the tail, not including the tail filament)
Limit
15

Source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-09-20 (2026 season).

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Often confused with

TautogOyster Toadfish

More basses (sea)

Rock HindSnowy GrouperWarsaw Grouper

About the black sea bass

Black sea bass

Species of fish

The black sea bass is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a sea bass from the subfamily Serraninae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the groupers and anthias. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean, where it is an important species for commercial and recreational fisheries.

Read more about Black sea bass 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 Sea Bass in Delaware?

12.5 inch minimum in Delaware state waters.

How many Black Sea Bass can you keep per day in Delaware?

15 per person per day.

When is Black Sea Bass season in Delaware?

May 1 – December 31.

Is my Black Sea Bass a keeper today?

A black sea bass is a keeper today if it measures at least 12.5 inches, with a daily limit of 15.