Pennsylvania Delaware River Fishing Rules
Pennsylvania rules for the Delaware River and its estuary: trout, bass, walleye, shad and striped bass slots, circle hooks, the saltwater registry and the New York and New Jersey license agreements.
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Delaware River and estuary limits in Pennsylvania
| Species | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | 1 (combined species); minimum 14 inches | April 4 at 8 a.m. through Oct. 15 |
| Trout | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | 5 (combined species) | April 4 at 8 a.m. through Oct. 15 |
| Trout | West Branch Delaware River | 2 (combined species); minimum 12 inches | April 4 at 8 a.m. through Oct. 15 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | 5 (combined species); minimum 12 inches | Jan. 1 through April 10 and June 13 through Dec. 31 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | NO HARVEST – catch and immediate release only | April 11 through June 12 |
| Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | 1; minimum 40 inches | Open year-round |
| Northern pike | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | 2; minimum 24 inches | Open year-round |
| Pickerel | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | 5; minimum 12 inches | Open year-round |
| Walleye | Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania | 3; minimum 18 inches | Open year-round |
| Walleye | Delaware River between New York and Pennsylvania | 3; minimum 18 inches | Jan. 1 until midnight March 14 and May 2 until midnight Dec. 31 |
| American shad | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | 2 | Open year-round |
| American eel | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | 25; minimum 9 inches | Open year-round |
| Striped bass and hybrid striped bass | From the Pennsylvania state line upstream to Calhoun Street Bridge | 1; minimum 28 to less than 31 inches (slot) | Jan. 1 through March 31 and June 1 through Dec. 31 |
| Striped bass and hybrid striped bass | From the Pennsylvania state line upstream to Calhoun Street Bridge | 1; minimum 22 to less than 26 inches (slot) | April 1 through May 31 |
| Striped bass and hybrid striped bass | From Calhoun Street Bridge upstream | 1; minimum 28 to less than 31 inches (slot) | Open year-round |
| Baitfish/fishbait | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| River herring; hickory shad, sturgeon and other threatened and endangered species; mussels | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | 0 | CLOSED YEAR-ROUND |
| Other species | Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River tributaries to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from | No daily limit | Inland seasons, sizes and daily limits apply except for waters under special regulations |
| Blue crab | Delaware River and estuary waters | One (1) bushel (combined hard shell and soft shell); minimum 4 inches (hard shell), 3.5 inches (soft shell), point to point | Open year-round |
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PA Fish and Boat Commission; in effect or proposed as of October 1, 2025, PDF revised February 27, 2026), page 13. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
Circle hooks and the saltwater registry on the Delaware
Non-offset (inline) circle hooks are required when fishing with bait for any species in the tidal Delaware Estuary including tributaries to the limit of tidal influence; gaffing striped bass is unlawful.
Anglers 16+ who target or catch shad, striped bass or river herring in the Delaware River below Trenton Falls or the Delaware Estuary must register free with the PFBC or with the NOAA National Saltwater Angler Registry (exceptions printed).
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PA Fish and Boat Commission; in effect or proposed as of October 1, 2025, PDF revised February 27, 2026), page 12, 13. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
New York and New Jersey licenses on the Delaware River
- A Pennsylvania or New York license is valid on the Delaware River (including West Branch) between New York and Pennsylvania when fishing from a boat or from either shore. A Pennsylvania license is required to fish Kinzua Reservoir in McKean and Warren counties; no agreement has been established with New York there.New York
- A Pennsylvania or New Jersey license is valid on the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania when fishing from a boat or from either shore. A Pennsylvania license is required in all other waters identified as part of the Delaware Estuary.New Jersey
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PA Fish and Boat Commission; in effect or proposed as of October 1, 2025, PDF revised February 27, 2026), page 12. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
Photographs to go with Pennsylvania Delaware River Fishing Rules
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: diego_cue, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Cards84664, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: George Neat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Questions on Pennsylvania’s Delaware River Fishing rules
Does a New Jersey license work on the Delaware River?
Between New Jersey and Pennsylvania either license is valid, from the river banks or a boat, under the reciprocal agreement.
What is the striped bass slot on the tidal Delaware?
1; minimum 28 to less than 31 inches (slot) from jan. 1 through march 31 and june 1 through dec. 31.
How many American shad may I keep on the Delaware?
2, open year-round.
Are circle hooks required on the Delaware?
Inline circle hooks are required when fishing bait in the tidal Delaware River and estuary, per the Summary.
Do I need to register as a saltwater angler?
Anglers 16 and older who target or catch shad, striped bass or river herring below Trenton Falls register with the saltwater registry.
Can I keep river herring from the Delaware?
No; river herring, hickory shad and sturgeon are closed all year on the Delaware table.
Is the walleye season different on the New York stretch?
Yes; it follows the inland closure from March 15 to May 1, while the New Jersey stretch is open all year.
Which trout limit applies on the West Branch Delaware?
2 (combined species); minimum 12 inches, april 4 at 8 a.m. through oct. 15.
Rule pages linked from Pennsylvania Delaware River Fishing Rules
- Pennsylvania Lake Erie Fishing RulesLake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and tributary limits
- Pennsylvania Special Regulation WatersBig Bass, panfish, brood stock and catch and release lakes, county waters
- Pennsylvania Trout Regulation Programsstocked, delayed harvest, trophy and fly waters by region
- Pennsylvania license and regulationsfees, openers and inland limits