LivewellDelaware · River
Delaware River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Delaware River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: Dioxins, PCBs
Delaware also has statewide guidance
Delaware publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 1 recommendation covering 1 species — in addition to anything listed for Delaware River below.
Strictest statewide rule: All Other Species — Limit to 52 meals per year due to elevated PCB.
What's safe to eat from Delaware River
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to 3 meals per year due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
How to prepare fish from Delaware River
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
Dioxins
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are Delaware's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | Release 12–17" | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Hybrid Striped Bass | 15" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | 50 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 50 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | 50 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Chain Pickerel | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Rainbow Trout | — | 6 | Year-round | 04-04 – 12-31 |
| American Shad | — | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Delaware — Delaware DNREC
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.9 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 4.1 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.