NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
March 6, 2008, Vol. 38, No. 88
For more information, contact Craig Shirey, Fisheries, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 302-739-9914, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. Photos available.
Trout Season Opens with Two Downstate Ponds Stocked Today - Upstate Streams to Be Stocked, Ponds Restocked Later this Month
When the truck carrying its silver tanks full of trout arrived at Tidbury Pond in Dover at noon today, dozens of anglers of all ages were waiting on the banks, fishing rods and nets at the ready, fishing licenses and trout stamps clipped to caps, and lunches and tackle boxes packed for the official start of the 2008 trout season.
“The trout are hungry and ready, and will make for fine eating,” Wildlife Biologist Mark Zimmerman told the crowd of eager anglers as he waded into the pond to release nets full of wriggling fish.
Tidbury Pond, which is owned and managed by Kent County Parks and Recreation, and Delaware’s other trout pond, Blockhouse Pond in Lewes behind Beebe Medical Center, were each stocked today with approximately 550 rainbow trout, average size 11 inches and weighing about ½ pound each. Some “trophy-sized” rainbows weighing 2 pounds and measuring well over 14 inches were included. Stocking will be repeated Thursday, March 20.
Delaware’s trout stocking program is “put and take,” since trout are cold water fish and can only survive for a limited time until normal summer water temperatures exceed the trout’s temperature limit. Fishermen usually keep what they catch, with a daily limit of six trout each.
On 10 separate dates beginning in late March, more than 31,000 trout will be stocked in six designated trout streams in northern New Castle County: White Clay Creek, Christina Creek, Pike Creek, Beaver Run, Wilson Run and Mill Creek. All of the streams will receive a heavy stocking just prior to the April 5 season opener. Trout stocking will continue on a regular weekly basis through Thursday, May 1.
To fish for trout, anglers are required to purchase a resident annual fishing license, which now covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming and costs $8.50 for ages 16 to 65. Persons under the age of 16 and residents over the age of 65 are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware. Trout anglers also must purchase a trout stamp, which costs $4.20 for ages 16 and older but not over 65, or a youth stamp, which costs $2.10 for boys and girls ages 12 to 15. Higher stamp and license prices apply to non-resident anglers. All proceeds from trout stamps are used to purchase next year’s fish.
To purchase a fishing license or stamps or for more information about the trout stocking schedule, visit http://www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/Fisheries.aspx, consult the new 2008 Fishing Guide, or call the Fisheries section at 302-739-9914. Trout stocking schedules will be posted at all license dealer locations.