Delaware DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife

Delaware DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware's fish and wildlife resources.

Division of Fish and Wildlife has worked to conserve and manage Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources, provide safe and enjoyable fishing, hunting, and boating opportunities to citizens and visitors, and improve the public’s understanding and interest in the state's fish and wildlife resources through information and outreach programs.

They’re one of the most familiar birds around—and one of the most misunderstood.It’s National Pigeon Day, and today we’r...
06/13/2026

They’re one of the most familiar birds around—and one of the most misunderstood.

It’s National Pigeon Day, and today we’re taking a closer look at the rock pigeon. Found in towns, cities, parks, and waterfront areas across Delaware, these birds have become so common that many people hardly notice them. But pigeons have a fascinating story.

Originally native to Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia, rock pigeons were brought to North America centuries ago. Since then, they’ve adapted remarkably well to life alongside people. Their wild ancestors nested on cliffs, which may explain why modern pigeons are so comfortable on buildings, bridges, and other structures.

Pigeons are also incredible navigators. They can find their way home from hundreds of miles away using a combination of visual landmarks, the sun, and even Earth's magnetic field. This ability made them valuable messengers for thousands of years, including during both World Wars.

Take a moment to watch a pigeon and you’ll notice there’s more going on than meets the eye—from the iridescent feathers on its neck to its constant search for food and its surprisingly complex social behavior.

Whether they’re strutting through a city park or perched on a rooftop, pigeons are a reminder that wildlife can thrive in some unexpected places.

📷: Karney, Lee/USFWS

June Programs with the Aquatic Resource Education CenterAll programs are FREE and registration is required to have enoug...
06/12/2026

June Programs with the Aquatic Resource Education Center

All programs are FREE and registration is required to have enough gear on hand. More dates and information on programs can be found at our website: de.gov/arec

(Ages 6-15) Take a Kid Fishing! - a hands-on introduction to fishing and conservation. Participants will rotate through interactive activities to learn basic fishing skills and then take their chances to hopefully catch a fish!

Dates:
June 13 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Tidbury Creek County Park, Dover
June 16 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Aquatic Resources Education Center, Smyrna
June 17 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Records Pond, Laurel

(Ages 6 -100) Life in the Bay at Woodland Beach – with a large sein net, participants drag in species from the Delaware Bay and identify our catch while exploring the ways we can conserve our natural resources.

Dates: June 12 and July 2, 10

(Ages 18+) Adult Kayak Fishing – Join us at Silver Lake to expand your skills by fishing from a kayak! Participants should bring their own kayak, paddle and personal flotation device, if they have them. We have a few more kayaks to borrow, please include that you need to borrow when registering. All fishing equipment is provided.

Requirements for Kayak Fishing - Must be 18+, able to swim, have valid DE fishing license and kayak

(Ages 2 to 7) Small Fry Adventures – come learn about fish and other critters that live in a tidal salt marsh. Kids will have a chance to view marine life in the aquariums at the Aquatic Resources Education Center and make a simple craft with an aquatic theme.

How to Register – Email [email protected] with the program you’re interested in and the number of people attending. Call (302) 735-8666 with any questions or if you’d like to bring a large group!

📷: AREC Staff

Fishing Report for Thursday, June 11, 2026Croaker were caught from the Woodland Beach pier, striped bass, weakfish and f...
06/11/2026

Fishing Report for Thursday, June 11, 2026

Croaker were caught from the Woodland Beach pier, striped bass, weakfish and flounder were caught from the Bowers Beach jetty and flounder, croaker and spot were caught at Broadkill Beach.

At the Cape Henlopen State Park Fishing Pier it was reported that blues, a few keeper flounder, spot, and croaker were caught from the pier, while a 35” bluefish, 40” striped bass and a sand tiger shark were caught from the beach next to the pier.

When the surf was fishable, blues were caught at 3Rs.

Striped bass and bluefish were caught at the Indian River Inlet on incoming water at dawn and dusk.

Flounder action has picked up in the Inland Bays.

Black sea bass fishing continued to be good in the Inshore Ocean while a large thresher shark and bluefin tuna were reported from the Offshore Ocean.

In freshwater, the Youth Fishing Tournament, held in all three counties last Saturday, saw the youngsters catch a lot of fish.

Invasive fish species have spread throughout Delaware.

📷: Jason Schuster

Some turtles spend most of their lives in the water. Others prefer to take things slow on land.It’s Wild Turtle Week, an...
06/10/2026

Some turtles spend most of their lives in the water. Others prefer to take things slow on land.

It’s Wild Turtle Week, and we’re highlighting the eastern box turtle, one of Delaware’s most beloved native reptiles. Found in forests, fields, meadows, and even some suburban areas, box turtles are easy to recognize by their high-domed shells and colorful yellow, orange, or gold markings.

Unlike most turtles people encounter, eastern box turtles spend the majority of their lives on land. They are also one of the few turtle species capable of completely closing their shell thanks to a hinged plastron (the bottom part of the shell), creating a protective "box" that helps keep predators out.

Box turtles are surprisingly long-lived. Many can survive for several decades in the wild, and some may live for 50 years or more. They have relatively small home ranges and become familiar with the landscape around them, returning to the same areas year after year.

Because they move slowly and often cross roads while searching for food, mates, or nesting sites, vehicle strikes are one of the biggest threats they face. If you see a box turtle crossing a road and it is safe to help, move it in the direction it was already heading.

The next time you're exploring a trail or woodland edge, keep an eye on the ground—you might spot one of Delaware's oldest and most patient residents making its way through the forest.

📷: Jim White

If you've spent time near a pond, marsh, or slow-moving stream in Delaware, you've probably seen one doing exactly what ...
06/09/2026

If you've spent time near a pond, marsh, or slow-moving stream in Delaware, you've probably seen one doing exactly what turtles do best—soaking up the sun on a log.

It’s Wild Turtle Week, and we’re highlighting the painted turtle, one of Delaware’s most recognizable freshwater turtles. Named for the bright red, orange, and yellow markings along its shell and skin, the painted turtle can be found throughout the state in ponds, lakes, marshes and other calm waterways.

Basking is an important part of a painted turtle’s daily routine. By spending time in the sun, turtles can regulate their body temperature, aid digestion, and maintain their overall health. That's why you'll often see several turtles lined up on the same log, all competing for the best sunny spot.

Painted turtles are omnivores, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, snails, and other small organisms. They can live for decades in the wild and often return to the same habitats year after year.

During the warmer months, female painted turtles may leave the water to nest, sometimes crossing roads in search of suitable places to lay their eggs. If you see a turtle crossing the road and it is safe to assist, move it in the direction it was already traveling.

Wild turtles are an important part of Delaware's wetlands and waterways, helping maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems for generations to come.

📷: Courtney Celley/USFWS

The ocean may seem far away to some, but its influence can be felt throughout Delaware every day.For World Ocean Day, we...
06/08/2026

The ocean may seem far away to some, but its influence can be felt throughout Delaware every day.

For World Ocean Day, we’re celebrating the Atlantic Ocean and the incredible diversity of life it supports. From the waters off Delaware’s coast to the beaches, bays, and estuaries that connect to it, the ocean plays a vital role in the health of our environment.

These waters provide habitat for fish, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, shorebirds, and countless other species. They support recreation, fishing, tourism, and ecosystems that help protect our coastlines and improve water quality.

Delaware’s coast is also an important link in a much larger system. Each year, migratory species travel thousands of miles through the Atlantic, relying on healthy ocean habitats along the way. Beneath the waves, reefs, seagrass beds, and other marine habitats provide food, shelter, and nursery areas for a wide variety of wildlife.

The ocean covers more than 70 percent of our planet, produces much of the oxygen we breathe, and helps regulate the Earth's climate. It's a reminder that even small actions—whether reducing litter, protecting habitats, or being a responsible steward of our waterways—can have impacts far beyond the shoreline.

🌊 What do you love most about Delaware’s coast?

📷: Chester Davis

Most birds spend a lot of time perched. Swifts prefer to stay in the air.For World Swift Day, we’re highlighting the chi...
06/07/2026

Most birds spend a lot of time perched. Swifts prefer to stay in the air.

For World Swift Day, we’re highlighting the chimney swift, a remarkable migratory bird that can be found throughout Delaware during the warmer months. Often mistaken for swallows, chimney swifts have long, curved wings and spend much of their lives flying, feeding, drinking, and even bathing on the wing.

These aerial acrobats are expert insect hunters, consuming thousands of flying insects, including mosquitoes, flies, and other small insects, as they sweep through the sky. If you've ever looked up on a summer evening and seen a group of birds darting and twisting overhead, there's a good chance you were watching chimney swifts at work.

Before European settlement, chimney swifts typically nested in hollow trees. Today, they most often use chimneys and similar structures as nesting and roosting sites. In the evening, large groups may gather and spiral into a chimney, creating one of the most fascinating wildlife spectacles of the season.

Like many migratory birds, chimney swifts face challenges from habitat loss and changes to nesting sites, making suitable roosting and nesting locations increasingly important.

The next time you see dark silhouettes racing across the sky on a warm day, take a closer look—you might be watching one of Delaware’s most impressive fliers.

📷: Sunny Kellner /Sharon Audubon Center

Some of Delaware’s smallest insects can create some of the biggest outdoor headaches.For World Pest Day, we’re recognizi...
06/06/2026

Some of Delaware’s smallest insects can create some of the biggest outdoor headaches.

For World Pest Day, we’re recognizing the work that goes into managing mosquito populations across the state and helping protect both public health and quality of life. Warmer weather and standing water create ideal conditions for mosquitoes, especially during the summer months.

That’s where DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section comes in. Crews monitor mosquito activity statewide, track populations and species, inspect breeding areas and use targeted control methods to help reduce mosquito numbers while minimizing impacts on the environment.

Mosquito control is about more than avoiding itchy bites. Certain mosquito species can carry diseases that affect both people and animals, making monitoring and management an important part of protecting public health.

You can also help reduce mosquitoes at home by emptying standing water from items like flowerpots, buckets, birdbaths and gutters—since even small amounts of water can become mosquito breeding sites.

While mosquitoes may be part of summer in Delaware, so is the work happening behind the scenes to help keep outdoor spaces more enjoyable for everyone.

📷: DNREC/Errol Ebanks

Every trail, marsh, forest, creek, and stretch of shoreline tells part of Delaware’s story.On World Environment Day, we’...
06/05/2026

Every trail, marsh, forest, creek, and stretch of shoreline tells part of Delaware’s story.

On World Environment Day, we’re celebrating the natural spaces that support wildlife, connect communities to the outdoors and make the First State more resilient and beautiful. From tidal wetlands along the Delaware Bay to inland forests and ponds, each habitat plays a role in supporting the incredible diversity of life found here.

Healthy environments mean cleaner water, stronger ecosystems, better habitat for wildlife and more places for people to explore, fish, hike, birdwatch and connect with nature. Even small actions — planting native species, reducing litter, respecting wildlife, or spending time outdoors learning about local ecosystems — can have a lasting impact.

Protecting the environment isn’t just about one day on the calendar. It’s an ongoing effort shaped by the choices we make and the value we place on the natural world around us.

Sometimes the best reminder of why it matters is simple: a quiet morning on the water, the sound of frogs after rain, birds overhead during migration or sunlight filtering through the trees on a trail.

🌎 What’s your favorite way to enjoy Delaware’s outdoors? Share your favorite places or photos with us.

📷: Gary Kessler

Fishing Report for June 4, 2026White perch, small striped bass and catfish, including a 36.2 pound state record flathead...
06/04/2026

Fishing Report for June 4, 2026

White perch, small striped bass and catfish, including a 36.2 pound state record flathead catfish, are still being caught from the shore of Delaware Bay and River from Augustine Beach down to Woodland Beach and in tidal creeks up and down the state.

Croaker and trout were caught over the Coral Beds and there are still some black drum from Slaughter down to Broadkill Beach. Broadkill Beach also reported bluefish, croaker and trout.

The Cape Henlopen State Park Fishing Pier reported spot, croaker, a few bluefish and small flounder.

Once the surf settled down, blues and stripers were caught.

Striped bass and bluefish were caught at the Indian River Inlet from first light until dawn.

Black sea bass fishing was good in the Inshore Ocean.

In freshwater, crappie fishing remained good in many of the ponds.

Panfish make good eating.

📸Michael Williamson
2016 Fishing Photo Contest

Address

89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE
19901

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13027399910

Website

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