SlotGaugeCheck a catchSailfish regulations in Delaware
Billfishes · Saltwater · 2026 season
Sailfish size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| State waters | Open year-round | 63 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.
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.*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
- 63 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 sailfish
Species of fish
The Atlantic sailfish is a species of marine fish in the family Istiophoridae of the order Istiophoriformes. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, except for large areas of the central North Atlantic and the central South Atlantic, from the surface to depths of 200 m (656 ft). The Atlantic sailfish is related to the marlin.
Read more about Atlantic sailfish 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 Sailfish in Delaware?
63 inch minimum in Delaware state waters.
How many Sailfish can you keep per day in Delaware?
No daily limit.
When is Sailfish season in Delaware?
Open year-round.
Is my Sailfish a keeper today?
A sailfish is a keeper today if it measures at least 63 inches, with no daily limit.