SlotGaugeCheck a catchStriped Bass regulations in Delaware
Basses (Temperate) · Freshwater · 2026 season
Striped Bass size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| State waters | Open year-round | 28–31 inch slot | 1 per person per day |
| Delaware River / Bay | Open year-round | 28–31 inch slot; 20–24 inch slot (July 1 – August 31) | 1 per person per day |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | Closed to harvest | — | — |
Notes
- Catch and release only on spawning grounds April 1 - May 31 (see Delaware Fishing Guide).
- CLOSED in federal waters (3-200 mi).
- DNREC freshwater page lists the summer river/bay slot as 20-25 in; the saltwater page says 20-24 in. The stricter 20-24 is used here - verify in the current Fishing Guide.
Exact DNREC wording
- Season
- Open Year-Round in State of Delaware waters (coast to 3 miles offshore) except catch & release only on spawning grounds April 1 to May 31 (see Delaware Fishing Guide)CLOSED in Federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore)
- Size
- In State of Delaware waters (coast to 3 miles offshore), 28 inches to 31 inches, except 20 inches to 25 inches from July 1 through August 31 in the Delaware River, Delaware Bay and their tributaries.CLOSED in Federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore)
- Limit
- 1 in State of Delaware waters (coast to 3 miles offshore), except catch & release only on spawning grounds April 1 to May 31 (see Delaware Fishing Guide)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 striped bass
Species of fish
The striped bass, also called the Atlantic striped bass, striper, linesider, rock, or rockfish, is an anadromous perciform fish of the family Moronidae found primarily along the Atlantic coast of North America. It has also been widely introduced into inland recreational fisheries across the United States. Striped bass found in the Gulf of Mexico are a separate strain referred to as Gulf Coast striped bass.
Read more about Striped bass 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 Striped Bass in Delaware?
28–31 inch slot in Delaware state waters.
How many Striped Bass can you keep per day in Delaware?
1 per person per day.
When is Striped Bass season in Delaware?
Open year-round.
Is my Striped Bass a keeper today?
A striped bass is a keeper today if it measures between 28 and 31 inches, with a daily limit of 1.