Delaware Trout Fishing: Streams, Ponds and Stamps

Delaware’s trout fishing is a stocked, put-and-take fishery, and it is concentrated in a handful of small streams in northern New Castle County plus two ponds farther south. DNREC stocks rainbow trout in spring and again in the fall on some waters, and a trout stamp is required during set windows. This guide compares the waters, explains the rules that apply to all of them, and points you to the page for each stream.

The waters at a glance

Water	Where	Gear allowed	Guide
White Clay Creek	Pennsylvania line to Paper Mill Road	Fly-only near the state line; bait and lures below	White Clay Creek
Red Clay Creek	Dam below the state line to the Auburn Valley State Park boundary	Fly-only for about 0.4 miles below Yorklyn Road	Red Clay Creek
Wilson Run	Route 72 through Brandywine Creek State Park	Bait and lures	Brandywine Creek State Park and Wilson Run
Tidbury Pond	Kent County	Stream trout rules apply	Tidbury and Newton ponds
Newton Pond	Near Greenwood, Sussex County	Stream trout rules apply	Tidbury and Newton ponds

Rules that apply to every trout water

The summary above lists each rule with its source and the date we last checked it. In short, you need a Delaware fishing license unless you are exempt, plus a trout stamp during the windows DNREC sets for designated trout streams. The daily limit is six trout, or four in fly-fishing streams, and there is no minimum size. Fishing hours run from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. No fishing is allowed in any designated trout stream in the two weeks before spring opening day.

Dates for the 2027 season have not been announced. We will update these pages when DNREC publishes them. Do not plan around last year’s calendar, because opening day, stocking dates and delivery days change.

Choosing a water

If you are new to trout fishing, start where you can use bait or lures and where the fish are stocked in numbers. Wilson Run in Brandywine Creek State Park and the open water on White Clay Creek below the fly-only boundary both fit. Tidbury and Newton ponds suit anyone who wants still water and a simpler setup.

If you fish with a fly rod, White Clay and Red Clay creeks both have restricted reaches. These are small, clear streams where a careful approach counts more than the pattern. Read the fly-only rules on each page before you go, because a single spinner or a worm on the line is a violation in that water.

If you want to fish with kids, a pond is often the easier choice, because there is room to cast and no current to manage. Keep the trips short, bring snacks and make sure everyone has the right license or exemption.

Fly-only water in Delaware

Two Delaware streams have restricted reaches. On White Clay Creek the restricted water runs from a point 25 yards above Thompson Bridge at Chambers Rock Road to the Pennsylvania line. On Red Clay Creek it begins on the downstream side of Yorklyn Road and runs about 0.4 miles downstream to the Auburn Valley State Park boundary. In both, only artificial flies on one single-pointed hook and a fly rod may be used, with no more than two flies on the line. Spinners, spoons, plugs and natural bait are not allowed.

New Castle County streams

DNREC also stocks several other small streams in northern New Castle County. Christina Creek is stocked from the Maryland line through Rittenhouse Park, Mill Creek from Brackenville Road to Route 7, and Beaver Run from the Pennsylvania line to the Brandywine River. Pike Creek is stocked starting at Route 72. The Delaware Fishing Guide gives the end of the reach as the bridge at Route 2 (Kirkwood Highway), while DNREC’s trout web page gives a different end point, so check DNREC for the current boundary. Much of this water flows through private property, and DNREC notes that access can be limited. Stay on public land and respect posted signs.

Christina Creek has a stricter fish consumption advisory than most other trout waters, at 6 meals per year for stocked trout compared with 12 on others.

Gear for Delaware trout

Most of these waters call for light tackle. A spinning rod around 6 to 7 feet with a light, fast tip, a small reel and light line around 4 pound test is a typical choice outside the fly-only water. In the restricted reaches, a fly rod in the 4 to 5 weight range around 8 1/2 to 9 feet is a typical choice. These are suggestions, not requirements.

A rod built for small trout water can make a real difference. Short, responsive blanks handle tight casting lanes, and light tips protect thin line. If you tell us where you fish and what you target, we can build a rod to match.

Safety and good habits

Streambeds are slick and spring water is cold. Wear boots or waders with good traction and check the weather, because rain upstream can raise small creeks quickly. Wet your hands before handling a fish you plan to release, and keep it in the water as much as possible. Leave no trace and give other anglers room, particularly on opening weekend.

Eating your catch

DNREC’s fish consumption advisory lists stocked trout from most designated trout streams and ponds at 12 meals per year, and Christina Creek at 6. Several of the waters in this guide have advisories for other fish, such as 3 meals per year for all finfish in Red Clay Creek. The pages for each water list the figures and the date we checked them. Women who are or may become pregnant or breastfeeding and children should follow the state’s guidance.

Where to go next

Read the guide for the water you plan to fish, then return to Delaware fishing for the rest of the state. The Delaware rules and license guide covers license fees and exemptions in more detail.