Sussex County, DE · Atlantic Ocean
Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing
Surf fishing along the southernmost Delaware beach, adjacent to the MD border at Ocean City. Fall bluefish and drum runs can be exceptional here. Walk-in beach access from the state park parking area.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Summer Flounder — Drop everything — ideal day for Summer Flounder.
Best conditions of 5 species tracked at Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing.
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 Fenwick Island
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 Drop everything — ideal day for Summer Flounder. In season 88/100
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
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 Great day to fish for Bluefish. In season 80/100
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
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 Great day to fish for Spotted Seatrout. In season 80/100
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
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 Workable day for Striped Bass. In season 68/100
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
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 Workable day for Red Drum. In season 68/100
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
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
Shoreline access
Jurisdiction
Delaware tidal
Coordinates
Notes
Surf-fishing vehicle permit required for drive-on access in off-season; seasonal drive-on access with permit. Walk-in is always free. Check DE DNREC for current permit rules.
Local reports & rules for Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing: 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 — Surf Fishing?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing 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 — Surf Fishing?
Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing 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 Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing?
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 — Surf Fishing 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 — Surf Fishing have?
Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing has shoreline / wading access. There is no pier or boat ramp at this location. Surf-fishing vehicle permit required for drive-on access in off-season; seasonal drive-on access with permit. Walk-in is always free. Check DE DNREC for current permit rules.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing?
Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) regulations apply at Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing. 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 — Surf Fishing tidal water?
Yes. Fenwick Island — Surf Fishing sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.