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Bield:Fish
Regional spawn calendar

Delaware Bay spawn calendar.

2 species with documented spawn timing in Delaware Bay. Spawn timing is driven by water temperature — these calendar windows reflect the typical years when water reaches each species' threshold.

Spawning now — May

  • Black Drum
    March – May

    Bull black drum (over slot limit) are typically released — meat quality declines significantly above slot size. Trophy fish are 40–80 lbs and may live 50+ years. C&R for oversized

All species — Delaware Bay

  • Striped Bass (Coastal)Morone saxatilis
    Typical window: April – June
    JanJan — Outside spawn windowFebFeb — Outside spawn windowMarMar — Pre-spawn — water rising toward 55°FAprApr — Peak spawn (58–65°F)MayMay — Peak spawn (58–65°F)JunJun — Peak spawn (58–65°F)JulJul — Post-spawn — water at 70°F+AugAug — Outside spawn windowSepSep — Outside spawn windowOctOct — Outside spawn windowNovNov — Outside spawn windowDecDec — Outside spawn window
    Typical window: April – June

    Delaware Bay striped bass spawn peaks May.

  • Black DrumPogonias cromis
    Typical window: March – May
    JanJan — Outside spawn windowFebFeb — Pre-spawn — water rising toward 59°FMarMar — Peak spawn (64–70°F)AprApr — Peak spawn (64–70°F)MayMay — Peak spawn (64–70°F)JunJun — Post-spawn — water at 73°F+JulJul — Outside spawn windowAugAug — Outside spawn windowSepSep — Outside spawn windowOctOct — Outside spawn windowNovNov — Outside spawn windowDecDec — Outside spawn window
    Typical window: March – May

    Delaware Bay bull drum spawn at Cape Charles peaks April.

Delaware Bay spawn alerts.

Bield: Fish ties USGS gauges in your area to species spawn thresholds — get notified the day water temperature hits pre-spawn for your target.