Nanticoke River Fishing in Seaford and Upriver

The Nanticoke River in Sussex County is known for big catfish, and it is also a tidal river with its own set of rules for striped bass, shad and tidal fish in general. Seaford is the main hub, with a four-lane boat ramp and a fishing pier. This guide covers where you can get on the water, what the rules say, what to expect from blue catfish and other fish, and how to rig for a tidal river.

Where to get on the water

The Delaware Fishing Guide lists three public access areas on the Nanticoke and its Broad Creek tributary, and the summary above shows each with its facilities.

• Seaford has a four-lane boat ramp with an ADA courtesy dock and a fishing pier. It is the easiest access for anglers without a boat.
• Phillips Landing on Broad Creek has a three-lane ramp, an ADA courtesy dock and a kayak launch. The guide lists no pier there, but it notes access along the bulkhead.
• Woodland Wharf is an unimproved access for car-top boats only, with access along the bulkhead.

Courtesy docks are for launching and loading, and fishing from them is prohibited unless posted otherwise. 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. Shoreline access depends on your own mobility, and the guide suggests visiting a site first or calling the Division if you have questions about access.

Blue catfish and the records

Blue catfish are the headline fish. DNREC’s state records page lists a 53-pound blue catfish, and DNREC’s October 2023 news release about that fish places the catch on the Nanticoke River. A record fish like that is rare, but the river has a reputation for large catfish, and a big catfish is a realistic target with the right gear.

Blue catfish are also an invasive species in Delaware, and that changes how you treat them. It is unlawful to transport, buy, possess or sell a live blue catfish without the written permission of the Director, and the Delaware Fishing Guide says that if you catch a blue catfish, flathead catfish or northern snakehead you should not return it to the water. Kill it and contact DNREC with the details. In tidal waters there is no size limit and no daily limit on catfish of any species, as shown in the summary. The guide asks you to document an invasive catch by freezing the fish or taking a good photo.

Rules to know

The rules summary above covers the points that matter most on this river.

• Striped bass. From April 1 through May 31, striped bass in the Nanticoke River and its tributaries are catch and release only. Outside that window the tidal limit and size range in the summary apply. When fishing for striped bass with cut or whole natural bait, which includes sea worms, you must use a non-offset circle hook.
• Shad. It is unlawful to take American or hickory shad from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries. If you catch one, release it.
• River herring. Alewife and blueback herring are closed to harvest everywhere.
• White perch. The tidal minimum is 8 inches, with no daily limit.
• Largemouth bass. The guide lists bass limits in its freshwater table but not in the tidal table, so we cannot tell you which limit applies on the tidal river. Check with DNREC before you keep one.

Anyone 16 or older needs a Delaware fishing license unless exempt, and Delaware does not offer reciprocity with other states. The Delaware rules and license guide covers licenses and exemptions.

Fishing for catfish

Catfish feed by smell and on the bottom, so the standard approach is a fish-finder or sliding sinker rig with cut bait, fished on or near the bottom in or beside deeper water and current breaks. Fresh cut bait from oily fish and whole small fish such as bluegill are common choices. Circle hooks in a size that suits the bait, such as 6/0 to 10/0 for big baits, hook fish in the corner of the mouth and make releasing a catfish easier, though blue catfish must be killed rather than released. These are widely used starting points, not requirements.

A rod for big river catfish needs backbone and line capacity: typically a heavy spinning or conventional rod in the 7 to 8 foot range, a large reel with a strong drag and braided line in the 50 pound range or heavy monofilament. A custom rod can be built around that job, with a stiff butt section for leverage and a tip that still shows a bite. If you tell us what you fish for and from where, we can build the rod to match.

Fishing for bass and perch

The river also holds largemouth bass, and a medium-heavy casting rod with 10 to 17 pound fluorocarbon or braid suits the cover along the banks. Soft plastics, jigs and spinnerbaits are common choices. White perch are a good option for lighter tackle. DNREC’s recent fishing reports name bloodworms and small shrimp as productive baits for white perch on tidal waters in the area.

Reading a tidal river

A tidal river changes with the water level. Banks, flats and shallow coves that are fishable at high tide can be dry or too shallow at low tide, and current speed in the main channel changes through the day. Check a tide table for the river before you go, plan to launch and return at a tide that works for your boat and let moving water guide where fish hold. Fish tend to set up along current breaks, deep holes, bends and structure where a river’s flow slows. Small boats and kayaks should watch wind and boat traffic.

Safety

Wear a life jacket on the water, check the weather before you launch and tell someone where you are going. Banks along tidal rivers can be soft and slippery. If you fish from the Seaford pier or the bulkheads, watch footing and keep lines clear of other anglers.

Eating the fish

The Nanticoke River is not named in DNREC’s fish consumption advisory table, so the default of 52 meals a year applies. The rules summary has the details and the date we checked it.

For more of Delaware, see where to fish near Lewes, Rehoboth and Millsboro and Delaware fishing.