Sussex County, DE · Atlantic Ocean
Indian River Inlet
Surf and jetty fishing destination on the Delaware coast. Strong tidal current through the inlet attracts big stripers on the fall run; flounder hold in the channel through the season. Both sides of the inlet have public access via Delaware Seashore State Park.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Summer Flounder — Skip the Summer Flounder trip today.
Best conditions of 6 species tracked at Indian River Inlet.
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 Indian River Inlet
6 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 Skip the Summer Flounder trip today. In season 18/100
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
- 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 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 Skip the Bluefish trip today. In season 10/100
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
- 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 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 Skip the Spotted Seatrout trip today. In season 10/100
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
- 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 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.
#2 Sheepshead Check local Sheepshead regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 10/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Sheepshead in DE on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.
What's helping
- 69°F water — right in sheepshead's ideal range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — sheepshead prefers slack tide
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Archosargus probatocephalus — Structure-oriented crustacean eater with famously human-like teeth. VA piers, jetties, and the rocks and pilings of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel are the classic targets. Fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or small pieces of shrimp on a knocker rig right against the structure. Expect to lose tackle.
Prefers. Water 60–82°F (ideal 72°F) · slack tide · depth 5–40 ft.
No regulations on file for Delaware tidal / atlantic. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
#5 Striped Bass Skip the Striped Bass trip today. In season 0/100
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
- 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 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.
#5 Red Drum Skip the Red Drum trip today. In season 0/100
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
- 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 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
Walk-on jetty access requires a Delaware fishing license; no separate permit needed. Drive-on beach access requires a Delaware Surf Fishing Vehicle Permit ($90 resident / $180 non-resident, discounts for ages 62+); on summer weekends and holidays a per-vehicle reservation is also required. Current at the inlet can be extremely strong — wade carefully. Parking on both sides of the Route 1 bridge.
Local reports & rules for Indian River Inlet: Delaware DNREC fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Indian River Inlet?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Indian River Inlet 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 Indian River Inlet?
Indian River Inlet is listed on this site for 6 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Summer Flounder, Spotted Seatrout, and 2 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 Indian River Inlet?
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 Indian River Inlet 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 Indian River Inlet have?
Indian River Inlet has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Walk-on jetty access requires a Delaware fishing license; no separate permit needed. Drive-on beach access requires a Delaware Surf Fishing Vehicle Permit ($90 resident / $180 non-resident, discounts for ages 62+); on summer weekends and holidays a per-vehicle reservation is also required. Current at the inlet can be extremely strong — wade carefully. Parking on both sides of the Route 1 bridge.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Indian River Inlet?
Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) regulations apply at Indian River Inlet. 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 Indian River Inlet tidal water?
Yes. Indian River Inlet sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.