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| Regulations by Location |
| DELAWARE RIVER AND ESTUARY |
| Related page: Saltwater Angler Registry Program |
 |
| The following seasons, sizes
and creel limits apply to the Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River and Delaware River tributaries, from the mouths of the tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal influence and the Lehigh River from its mouth upstream to the first dam in Easton, Pennsylvania. The Delaware River estuary waters are listed below. Delaware River Blue Crab
regulations are also listed on this page, below. |
| Species |
Seasons |
Minimum Size |
Daily Limit |
| Trout |
April 13 at 8 a.m. through Oct. 15 |
North of I-84: 14 inches |
1 (combined species) |
| South of I-84: No minimum |
5 (combined species) |
| West Branch Delaware River* 12 inches |
2
(combined species) |
Bass
Largemouth
Smallmouth |
Jan. 1 through April 12 and June 15 through Dec. 31 |
12 inches |
5
(combined species) |
| April 13 through June 14 |
NO HARVEST - catch and immediate release only |
| Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge (Hybrids) |
Open year-round |
40 inches |
1 |
| Northern Pike |
Open year-round |
24 inches |
2 |
| Pickerel |
Open year-round |
12 inches |
5 |
| Walleye |
The portion of the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania - open year-round
The portion of the Delaware River between New York and Pennsylvania - Jan. 1 through March 14 and May 4 through
Dec. 31 |
18 inches |
3 |
| American Shad** |
Open year-round |
No minimum |
6–From the PA state line upstream to the Commodore Barry Bridge |
| 3–From the Commodore Barry Bridge upstream |
| American Eel |
Open year-round |
8 inches |
50 |
| American Eel (as Baitfish) |
Open year-round |
6 inches to 8 inches |
50 |
| Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass |
From the Pennsylvania state line upstream to Calhoun Street Bridge:
– Jan. 1 through March 31 and
– June 1 through Dec. 31 |
28 inches |
2 |
From the Pennsylvania state line upstream to Calhoun Street Bridge:
– April 1 through May 31 |
20 to 26 inches |
2 |
From Calhoun Street Bridge upstream:
– Open year-round |
28 inches |
2 |
| River Herring*** |
CLOSED YEAR-ROUND |
| Hickory Shad |
CLOSED YEAR-ROUND |
| Sturgeon |
CLOSED YEAR-ROUND |
| Mussels / Clams |
CLOSED YEAR-ROUND |
| Other Species |
Inland seasons, size and creel limits apply except for
waters under special regulations. |
|
* A special no-kill season with the use of artificial
lures only has been established
on the West Branch of the Delaware River.
**  American shad is catch and release in the Schuylkill River from I-95 upstream including all tributaries and three (3) American shad in all other Delaware River tributaries, including those above tide.
*** River herring (alewife and blueback herring) has a closed year-round season with zero daily limit applied to the Lehigh River and tributaries, the Schuylkill River and tributaries, the West Branch Delaware River, the Delaware River, the Delaware estuary, and the Delaware River tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal influence. |
|
| DELAWARE RIVER ESTUARY |
| (including tributaries to limits of tidal influence) |
| The Delaware River estuary consists of the water areas listed below to their upper tidal limits: |
| Water Area |
Upper Tidal Limit |
| Chester Creek |
Kerlin Street (Chester city) |
| Crum Creek |
U.S. Route 13 (Eddystone) |
| Darby Creek |
Pine Street (Darby borough) |
| Delaware River |
From the PA state line upstream to the U.S. Route 1 bridge |
| Frankford Creek |
U.S. Route 13 (Frankford Avenue) |
| Marcus Hook Creek |
U.S. Route 13 (Marcus Hook borough) |
| Neshaminy Creek |
Hulmeville Falls |
| Pennypack Creek |
U.S. Route 13 (Frankford Avenue) |
| Poquessing Creek |
State Road |
| Ridley Creek |
MacDade Boulevard (Chester city) |
| Schuylkill River |
Fairmount Dam |
|
| DELAWARE RIVER BLUE CRABS |
| Harvesting blue crabs from the Delaware River and its estuary waters is permitted pursuant to the regulations below. |
| Seasons |
Minimum Size |
Daily Limit |
| Open year-round |
4 inches* (hard shell)
3.5 inches* (soft shell) |
One (1)
bushel
(combined
- hard shell and soft shell) |
| * measured point to point |
|
FEMALE BLUE CRABS bearing eggs or from which the egg pouch or bunion has been removed may not be possessed.
CRAB POTS are limited to no more than two pots per person when taking crabs. In addition, two handlines may be used.
UNATTENDED CRAB POTS must be labeled with the name and address of the owner or user.
DISTURBING UNATTENDED CRAB POTS is unlawful, except by the owner, user or members of the immediate family, and officers or representatives of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
HORSESHOE CRABS are unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or purchase any horseshoe crabs. It is unlawful to import into or transport in this Commonwealth horseshoe crabs for the purpose of sale.
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