Delaware River and C&D Canal Shore Fishing

The northern edge of Delaware’s saltwater fishing runs along the Delaware River and the C&D Canal, where the water is tidal and the fish move with the seasons. This is also shared water, with a state line in the middle and rules that can change with where you stand and where you land your fish. This guide covers public access, the rules that matter most, what DNREC’s recent reports say is biting, and the advisories that apply.

Public access

The Delaware Fishing Guide lists these public access areas on the Delaware River and C&D Canal side, and the summary above shows the details.

• Fort DuPont State Park has a three-lane boat ramp with an ADA courtesy dock and no fishing pier.
• Augustine Beach has a two-lane boat ramp and no pier.
• Canal Wildlife Area on the C&D Canal has a fishing pier and no boat ramp, so it is the place to look for shore access along the canal.
• Collins Beach, on the bay side, has a three-lane boat ramp and a fishing pier.

A seasonal or daily fee may be required at areas administered by the Division of Parks and Recreation, which includes Fort DuPont State Park. Fishing from a courtesy dock is not allowed. Shoreline access depends on your mobility, so visit a site first or call the Division if you have questions. Motorboats launched from tidal access areas run by the Division of Fish and Wildlife must be registered in Delaware or carry a Tidal Access Boat Ramp Certificate.

Shared water: what to know

Delaware’s fishing guide says the state has no fishing license reciprocity with other states. To fish, crab or clam in Delaware you need a Delaware license and a free Delaware FIN number, and federal or other states’ FIN numbers do not count. If you fish New Jersey waters of Delaware Bay you also need a New Jersey FIN number. The guide does not say where the state line falls on the river, so if you fish near the boundary, check the neighboring state’s rules and keep track of which state’s water you are in. The summary above carries the exact wording.

Rules that matter on this water

Striped bass. From April 1 through May 31, striped bass are catch and release only in the Delaware River and its tributaries north of a line due east from the south jetty at the mouth of the C&D Canal, and in the C&D Canal and its tributaries. Whether your spot falls inside that closure depends on where it sits relative to that line, so check the guide’s description before you keep a striped bass in April or May. In July and August, the tidal slot in the Delaware Bay, River and their tributaries is 20 to 24 inches, and the rest of the year the range is 28 to 31 inches, with a limit of one fish a day. When you fish for striped bass with cut or whole natural bait, which includes sea worms, you must use a non-offset circle hook.

White perch. The tidal minimum is 8 inches, with no daily limit.

Catfish. There is no size limit and no daily limit on catfish in tidal waters. Blue catfish and flathead catfish are invasive, and live ones may not be transported or possessed without written permission. The guide says to kill them rather than return them to the water.

Shad and herring. The possession limits for American and hickory shad and the closure on river herring are in the summary.

What is biting

DNREC’s weekly fishing report is the best source for current conditions, and we do not try to replace it. In its October 29, 2026 report, a local tackle shop said that white perch and catfish were still available along the shoreline from Augustine Beach down to Woodland Beach, with bloodworms for the perch and cut bait for the catfish. The same report said catfish were available along the C&D Canal shoreline. A strong northeast wind had made the bay rough that week, a reminder that conditions on open water change quickly.

Gear for the river and canal

For shore fishing on a tidal river, a 7 to 9 foot medium to medium-heavy spinning rod handles bottom rigs with bloodworm or cut bait and gives you the reach to clear shoreline structure. For catfish, a heavier rod with a stronger drag and 50 pound braid or heavy monofilament is a typical choice. For white perch, a lighter outfit with a small hook, a split shot and a bloodworm is enough. These are common starting points, not requirements.

Use a sliding sinker or fish-finder rig for catfish and perch so a fish can pick up the bait without feeling the weight. Bottom rigs get snagged on rocky or hard shorelines, so carry extra hooks and weights. A custom pier rod with the right length and action makes long days at the water more comfortable. If you tell us where you fish and what you target, we can build the rod to match.

Atlantic sturgeon

Atlantic sturgeon live in the Delaware River and are endangered, and harvest is not allowed. If you encounter one, DNREC asks you to report it. The summary above has the reporting details, and the rules and license guide explains what to note.

Eating the fish

DNREC’s advisories for this area are among the strictest in the state. All finfish from the Delaware River between the state line and the C&D Canal are listed at 3 meals a year, with a star meaning that women who are or may become pregnant or breastfeeding and children should not eat them. All finfish from the C&D Canal are listed at 1 meal a year. In the lower river and Delaware Bay, striped bass, channel and white catfish and American eel are listed at 3, white perch at 6, and bluefish at 12 if 20 inches or less and 3 if longer. The summary gives the full wording and the date we checked it.

Safety

Cold water, wind and boat traffic are the main hazards on the river and canal. Shipping traffic passes through this stretch, so small boats should stay well clear of channels and keep a lookout. Wear a life jacket and check the marine forecast before you go. Banks and bulkheads can be slick.

For the rest of the bay shore, see Delaware Bay shore piers and beaches.