SlotGaugeCheck a catchTautog regulations in Delaware
Additional Nearshore and Occasional Nearshore Species · Saltwater · 2026 season
Tautog size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| State waters | January 1 – May 15, July 1 – December 31 | 16 inch minimum | 4 per person per day |
Notes
- Closed May 16 - June 30.
Exact DNREC wording
- Season
- January 1 to May 15July 1 to December 31
- Size
- 16 inch minimum (total length)
- Limit
- 4
Source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-09-20 (2026 season).
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About the tautog
Species of wrasse (fish)
The tautog, also known as the blackfish, is a species of wrasse native to the western Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. This species inhabits hard substrate habitats in inshore waters at depths from 1 to 75 m. It is the only species in its genus.
Read more about Tautog 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 Tautog in Delaware?
16 inch minimum in Delaware state waters.
How many Tautog can you keep per day in Delaware?
4 per person per day.
When is Tautog season in Delaware?
January 1 – May 15, July 1 – December 31.
Is my Tautog a keeper today?
A tautog is a keeper today if it measures at least 16 inches, with a daily limit of 4.