SlotGaugeCheck a catchBlue Marlin regulations in Delaware
Billfishes · Saltwater · 2026 season
Blue Marlin size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| State waters | Open year-round | 99 inch minimum | No daily limit |
Notes
- Atlantic HMS Angling Permit required for private vessels in federal waters; non-retained HMS must be released without removing from the water. hmspermits.noaa.gov / (888) 872-8862.
- Annual U.S. landings cap on Atlantic Blue/White Marlin and Roundscale Spearfish; check hmspermits.noaa.gov.
Exact DNREC wording
- Season
- Open Year-RoundAll Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) not retained must be immediately released to ensure the maximum probability of survival, without removing the fish from the water.There is an annual U.S. landings limit of 250 Atlantic Blue Marlin, White Marlin, and Roundscale Spearfish (combined). Landings updates and seasonal closures are posted under “What's New...” at https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/*Special permit required - All private vessel owners/operators recreationally fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) for personal use in the Atlantic Ocean must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit. Further limits and restrictions apply. Consult https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/ or call toll free (888) 872-8862 for specific information and permits.
- Size
- 99 inch minimum (measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the tail fork)
- Limit
- No Limit
Source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-09-20 (2026 season).
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About the blue marlin
Species of fish
The Atlantic blue marlin is a species of marlin endemic to the Atlantic Ocean. It is closely related to, and usually considered conspecific with, the Indo-Pacific blue marlin, then simply called blue marlin. Some authorities consider both species distinct. Blue marlin are distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a bluewater fish that spends the majority of its life in the open sea far from land.
Read more about Atlantic blue marlin 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 Blue Marlin in Delaware?
99 inch minimum in Delaware state waters.
How many Blue Marlin can you keep per day in Delaware?
No daily limit.
When is Blue Marlin season in Delaware?
Open year-round.
Is my Blue Marlin a keeper today?
A blue marlin is a keeper today if it measures at least 99 inches, with no daily limit.