Sussex County, DE · Atlantic Ocean
Fenwick Island State Park
Fenwick Island State Park offers public shoreline and pier access on the Atlantic coast in Sussex County. Common targets include striped bass, bluefish, summer flounder, red drum, and spotted seatrout.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Red Drum & Spotted Seatrout — tied at the top (26/100)
2 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Fenwick Island State Park.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 21 at 8:12PM EDT until July 21 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:37 AM | High | 3.8 ft |
| 8:47 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 3:19 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 9:34 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
Species at Fenwick Island State Park
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 2 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Red Drum Skip the Red Drum trip today. In season 26/100
What's helping
- 74°F water — right in red drum's ideal range
- incoming tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- 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 91 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.
#1 Spotted Seatrout Skip the Spotted Seatrout trip today. In season 26/100
What's helping
- 74°F water — right in spotted seatrout's ideal range
- incoming tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- 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 91 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.
#3 Bluefish Skip the Bluefish trip today. In season 14/100
What's helping
- 74°F water — inside bluefish's active range
- incoming tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- 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 91 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.
#4 Summer Flounder Skip the Summer Flounder trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 74°F water — inside summer flounder's active range
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- 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 91 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.
#4 Striped Bass Skip the Striped Bass trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 74°F water — above striped bass's active range (50–72°f) — fish move deep
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- 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 91 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.
Location Info
Water Body
Atlantic Ocean
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Delaware tidal
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Fenwick Island 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 Fenwick Island State Park?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Fenwick Island 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 Fenwick Island State Park?
Fenwick Island State Park is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Summer Flounder, 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 Fenwick Island 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 Fenwick Island 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 Fenwick Island State Park have?
Fenwick Island State Park has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Fenwick Island State Park?
Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) regulations apply at Fenwick Island 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 Fenwick Island State Park tidal water?
Yes. Fenwick Island 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.