New Castle County, DE · Lake
Lums Pond State Park
Delaware's largest freshwater pond at approximately 200 acres. Boat ramp, kayak launch, and shore fishing access throughout the park. A year-round bass and catfish fishery convenient to Wilmington and Newark.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Chain Pickerel & Yellow Perch — tied at the top (0/100)
5 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Lums Pond 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
Species at Lums Pond State Park
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 5 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Largemouth Bass Skip the Largemouth Bass trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 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. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 6
Delaware non-tidal waters: 12-inch minimum, 6 per day — distinctly looser than MD (5/day aggregate with smallmouth) and no March–June 15 catch-and-release closure. Becks Pond (New Castle County) has a stricter 15-inch minimum and 2/day creel. No aggregate rule with smallmouth.
Source: Delaware tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#1 Crappie Skip the Crappie trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 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. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 50
Delaware non-tidal waters: crappie (black and white) are regulated as "panfish" in aggregate with white perch, yellow perch, bluegill, and pumpkinseed — 50 fish/day total, no more than 25 of any one species. No minimum size. Notably more generous than MD's 15/day crappie-only aggregate.
Source: Delaware tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#1 Channel Catfish Check local Channel Catfish regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 0/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Channel Catfish 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
- 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. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
No regulations on file for Delaware tidal / non-tidal. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
#1 Chain Pickerel Check local Chain Pickerel regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 0/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Chain Pickerel 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
- 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. Esox niger — Native toothy predator of mill ponds, blackwater rivers, and grassy shorelines — especially common on the Eastern Shore. Hits spinners, spoons, and minnow plugs aggressively. Cold-weather fishery when bass have shut down.
Prefers. Water 45–80°F (ideal 60°F) · either tide · depth 3–15 ft.
No regulations on file for Delaware tidal / non-tidal. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
#1 Yellow Perch Skip the Yellow Perch trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — yellow perch prefers slack tide
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Perca flavescens — Late-winter and early-spring favorite. Schools up in tidal tributaries for the pre-spawn run in February and March, taking small minnows, shad darts, and small jigs. A classic Eastern Shore "neds" fishery.
Prefers. Water 45–70°F (ideal 58°F) · slack tide · depth 5–30 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 50
Delaware non-tidal waters: yellow perch is regulated as "panfish" in aggregate with white perch, crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed — 50 fish/day total, no more than 25 of any one species. No minimum size. Not listed separately in DE tidal creel table.
Source: Delaware tidal regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
Location Info
Water Body
Lake
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Delaware tidal
Coordinates
Notes
Day-use fee in-season. Electric motors only on the pond. Boat rentals available seasonally.
Local reports & rules for Lums Pond 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 Lums Pond State Park?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Lums Pond 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 Lums Pond State Park?
Lums Pond State Park is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Chain Pickerel, 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 Lums Pond 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 Lums Pond 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 Lums Pond State Park have?
Lums Pond State Park has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Day-use fee in-season. Electric motors only on the pond. Boat rentals available seasonally.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lums Pond State Park?
Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) regulations apply at Lums Pond 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 Lums Pond State Park tidal water?
No. Lums Pond State Park is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.
Is there parking or an entry fee at Lums Pond State Park?
Day-use fee in-season. Electric motors only on the pond. Boat rentals available seasonally.