DOVER, PA — The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has announced that the 2024 downstate pond trout season will open with a special day dedicated to youth anglers under 16. This unique opening day kicks off at 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, with the regular trout season for all anglers following the next day.
Fishing on the youth opening day will be permitted from 7 a.m. until half an hour after sunset. The same schedule will apply throughout the season, unless local area rules indicate otherwise.
Two locations have been chosen for this year’s trout fishing season. Tidbury Pond near Dover in Kent County and Newton Pond near Greenwood in Sussex County will both be stocked and ready for eager anglers. However, DNREC cautions that icy pond conditions could potentially delay stocking or fishing activities.
To ensure successful season openers, both Tidbury Pond and Newton Pond will be closed to all fishing from Saturday, Feb. 17, through Friday, March 1. This closure period will allow for trout stocking and provide the newly stocked trout time to adjust to their new environment.
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife plans to stock each pond with more than 300 pounds of 12- to 13-inch rainbow trout before opening day. In addition, a second stocking is scheduled for mid-March. As an added bonus, trophy-sized trout weighing two or more pounds will also be included in the stocking, adding an extra thrill for enthusiastic trout anglers.
In an effort to enhance the trout fishing experience at Newton Pond, the Division of Fish and Wildlife has installed two new 120-foot-long aluminum fishing piers on the east side of the pond. These piers, parallel to the shore, will improve shoreline access for all types of fishing and eliminate the need for anglers to navigate steep slopes to reach the water’s edge.
Anglers planning to fish at Tidbury Pond or Newton Pond should be aware of the following rules and regulations: a Delaware fishing license is required (unless an angler is exempt), a Delaware trout stamp is necessary through April 1 (unless an angler is exempt), and the daily possession limit is six trout.
Funds raised from the sale of Delaware trout stamps are used to help purchase trout for the following year’s stocking. This popular fishery also benefits from federal Sport Fish Restoration funds administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, generated from anglers purchasing fishing equipment.
The upstate streams trout season will open on Saturday, April 6, with a youth-only day, followed by the regular trout season opening for all anglers on Sunday, April 7.
Delaware fishing licenses and trout stamps can be purchased online or from license agents statewide. For more information about fishing in Delaware, including license and trout stamp requirements, refer to the 2024 Delaware Fishing Guide, available in print from license agents throughout the state.
As the 2024 pond trout season approaches, both young and seasoned anglers can look forward to the thrill of reeling in a prize catch. Whether it’s the anticipation of the first nibble or the satisfaction of a successful catch, Delaware’s trout season promises to make lasting memories for all who participate.
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