SlotGaugeCheck a catchRed Drum regulations in Delaware
Drums · Saltwater · 2026 season
Red Drum size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| State waters | Open year-round | 20–27 inch slot | 5 per person per day |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
Notes
- CLOSED in federal waters.
Exact DNREC wording
- Season
- Open Year-Round in State of Delaware waters (coast to 3 miles offshore)CLOSED in Federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore)
- Size
- 20 to 27 inches (total length) in State of Delaware waters (coast to 3 miles offshore)CLOSED in Federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore)
- Limit
- 5 in State of Delaware waters (coast to 3 miles offshore)CLOSED in Federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore)
Source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-09-20 (2026 season).
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About the red drum
Species of fish
The red drum, also known as redfish, channel bass, puppy drum, spottail bass, or simply red, is a game fish found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to northern Mexico. It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops.
Read more about Red drum on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, not Wikipedia.
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Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Red Drum in Delaware?
20–27 inch slot in Delaware state waters.
How many Red Drum can you keep per day in Delaware?
5 per person per day.
When is Red Drum season in Delaware?
Open year-round.
Is my Red Drum a keeper today?
A red drum is a keeper today if it measures between 20 and 27 inches, with a daily limit of 5.