Sussex County, DE · Atlantic Ocean
Delaware Seashore State Park
Seven miles of Atlantic surf plus access to Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay on the back side. The park spans the barrier island south of Dewey Beach to Indian River Inlet — enormous variety of surf, bay, and inlet fishing.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Summer Flounder — Workable day for Summer Flounder.
Best conditions of 5 species tracked at Delaware Seashore State Park.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 11 at 9:56PM EDT until June 12 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:31 AM | High | 3.8 ft |
| 11:28 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 6:06 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
Species at Delaware Seashore State Park
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Summer Flounder Workable day for Summer Flounder. In season 63/100
What's helping
- 69°F water — inside summer flounder's active range
- outgoing tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Paralichthys dentatus — Locally called "fluke." Flatfish that ambushes bait off sandy and mixed bottom. Drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp! or live minnows through Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets is the classic method.
Prefers. Water 58–75°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 10–100 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 16"
- Daily creel
- 4
Delaware Atlantic Ocean and Inland Bays (Rehoboth, Indian River, Little Assawoman): 16 in (Jan 1–May 31) / 17.5 in (Jun 1–Dec 31), 4 per day. ASMFC-managed.
Source: Delaware tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#2 Bluefish Workable day for Bluefish. In season 55/100
What's helping
- 69°F water — right in bluefish's ideal range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Pomatomus saltatrix — Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.
Prefers. Water 60–80°F (ideal 70°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–50 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 3
Delaware Atlantic coast and Inland Bays: no size limit. 3 fish/day from shore or private vessel, 5/day from charter or headboat. ASMFC coastwide allocation.
Source: Delaware tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#2 Spotted Seatrout Workable day for Spotted Seatrout. In season 55/100
What's helping
- 69°F water — right in spotted seatrout's ideal range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 0
Delaware Atlantic coast and Inland Bays: 12-inch minimum, no daily creel limit.
Source: Delaware tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#4 Striped Bass Marginal conditions for Striped Bass. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 69°F water — inside striped bass's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 31"
- Daily creel
- 1
Delaware Atlantic Ocean coast and all DE tidal waters OTHER than Delaware Bay/River/tributaries during the Jul 1–Aug 31 summer slot. 28–31 in slot (ASMFC coastwide), 1 fish/day. April 1–May 31 is catch-and-release only on designated spawning grounds.
Source: Delaware tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#4 Red Drum Marginal conditions for Red Drum. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 69°F water — inside red drum's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Sciaenops ocellatus — Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.
Prefers. Water 65–85°F (ideal 75°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 20"
- Max size
- 27"
- Daily creel
- 5
Delaware Atlantic coast and Inland Bays: 20–27 inch slot, 5 per day. All fish outside the slot must be released.
Source: Delaware tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
Location Info
Water Body
Atlantic Ocean
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Delaware tidal
Coordinates
Notes
State park entry fee. Multiple access points along Route 1. Bay-side fishing is calmer and better for flounder and seatrout in summer.
Local reports & rules for Delaware Seashore State Park: Delaware DNREC fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Delaware Seashore State Park?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Delaware Seashore State Park you need a Delaware recreational fishing license issued by DNREC, or — for residents 65+ — a free Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) registration. See the agency's current rules: https://dnrec.delaware.gov/fish-wildlife/licenses/
What fish are commonly targeted at Delaware Seashore State Park?
Delaware Seashore State Park is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Bluefish, Summer Flounder, Striped Bass, Red Drum, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Delaware Seashore State Park?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Delaware Seashore State Park against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Delaware Seashore State Park have?
Delaware Seashore State Park has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. State park entry fee. Multiple access points along Route 1. Bay-side fishing is calmer and better for flounder and seatrout in summer.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Delaware Seashore State Park?
Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) regulations apply at Delaware Seashore State Park. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Delaware Seashore State Park tidal water?
Yes. Delaware Seashore State Park sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.
Is there parking or an entry fee at Delaware Seashore State Park?
State park entry fee. Multiple access points along Route 1. Bay-side fishing is calmer and better for flounder and seatrout in summer.