LivewellDelaware · River
Red Clay Creek
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Red Clay Creek, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: DDT, 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 Red Clay Creek below.
Strictest statewide rule: All Other Species — Limit to 52 meals per year due to elevated PCB.
What's safe to eat from Red Clay Creek
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to 3 meals per year due to elevated DDT, Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
How to prepare fish from Red Clay Creek
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.
DDT
- 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.
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 1.7 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.6 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.