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Bield:Fish
Fish stocking schedule

Delaware fish stocking schedule 2026.

Stocking NowDelaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Delaware operates a small but managed stocking program — trout in a handful of designated streams during a limited spring season, plus catfish in community fishing ponds.

Official source

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Stocking Report

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control publishes the authoritative Delaware stocking schedule — Annual updates in Posted list format. For this week's actual stocking locations, dates, and volumes, view the official report directly.

View official Delaware stocking report

This page summarizes the Delaware stocking program for planning purposes. The agency report is the authoritative source — verify before any trip.

Primary stocked species in Delaware

Typical stocking pattern by species. Heavy fill marks primary stocking months; moderate fill marks possible stocking. Verify exact dates against the official report.

  • Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykiss
    JanJan — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesFebFeb — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesMarMar — heavy stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesAprApr — heavy stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesMayMay — heavy stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesJunJun — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesJulJul — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesAugAug — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesSepSep — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesOctOct — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesNovNov — moderate stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inchesDecDec — no stocking Rainbow Trout typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inches
    Typical size: 9–12 inch catchable; some trophy fish 16+ inches
  • Channel CatfishIctalurus punctatus
    JanJan — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingFebFeb — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingMarMar — heavy stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingAprApr — heavy stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingMayMay — heavy stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingJunJun — moderate stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingJulJul — moderate stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingAugAug — moderate stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingSepSep — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingOctOct — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingNovNov — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingDecDec — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerling
    Typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerling
  • Bluegill & Redear SunfishLepomis macrochirus / L. microlophus
    JanJan — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingFebFeb — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingMarMar — heavy stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingAprApr — heavy stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingMayMay — heavy stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingJunJun — moderate stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingJulJul — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingAugAug — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingSepSep — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingOctOct — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingNovNov — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerlingDecDec — no stocking Bluegill & Redear Sunfish typical size: 2–4 inch fingerling
    Typical size: 2–4 inch fingerling

Notable Delaware programs

  • Trout Stream Permit Program
  • Community Fishing Pond Catfish

State hatchery system

Delaware operates 1 state-run fish hatcheries supporting the stocking program.

Delaware urban fishing program

Delaware maintains a designated urban fishing program — typically frequent stockings of catfish, trout, and panfish in city ponds and lakes. These programs are designed to make fishing accessible to families and first-time anglers.

Delaware urban fishing program details →

Weekly stocking alerts for Delaware.

Bield: Fish reads Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's stocking reports and alerts you when your saved waters are stocked. Set your county once and you'll know the day fish hit your home river.

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