Fishing and crabbing are popular past times in the Milford area with many streams, rivers and tributaries from the Delaware Bay flowing through town. Not only are these streams great places to toss in a fishing line, but Slaughter Beach, Prime Hook Beach, and Bowers Beach are all within a few minutes’ drive. Before heading out with your fishing and crabbing gear, however, it is important to know the various laws related to the sport.
Before going out to fish, crab or clam, you must have a valid Delaware fishing license and a free 2025 FIN number. The FIN number is automatically generated when you purchase a fishing license. If you plan to fish for freshwater trout, you must get a trout stamp and affix it to your license as well.
A general fishing license for Delaware residents is $8.50 and for non-residents it is $20. A seven-day tourist fishing license is $12.50. A boat fishing license for a 20-foot or smaller boat is $40 for both residents and non-residents but is optional. For a boat that is more than 20 feet, the cost is $50 for both residents and non-residents. It is also optional. Trout stamps for adults 16-64 are $42.20 for residents and $6.20 for non-residents. The cost is $2.10 for youth aged 12 to 15 for residents and $6.20 for non-residents.
While fishing, crabbing or clamming, abide by the size and possession limits. You also need to be aware of area and seasonal closures. Delaware also does not recognize federal FIN numbers or FIN numbers from other states.
If you have a surf fishing permit, you do not have to have a fishing license if you are operating the vehicle with the surf tag. Other occupants must have a fishing license if they are fishing. State of Delaware residents 65 or older are exempt from license requirements as are children under the age of 16.
To learn more about fishing regulations, visit the Fisheries section of the DNREC website.
