The 5 Best Fishing Lakes in Delaware

In Delaware, you have over 30 ponds and lakes to choose from for fishing and other outdoor recreational activities. Some are smaller than others with different fish populations. Discover the five best fishing lakes in Delaware!

5 Best Fishing Lakes in Delaware

1. Becks Pond

Location: New Castle, Delaware

When heading out to Becks Pond for the first time, be sure to check out the regulations. In Delaware, these can change throughout the year depending on the season. These are the regulations that inform you of the size of the fish you can keep as well as how many you can keep when you fish. Some of the most popular fish in this lake include largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and chain pickerel.

This is one of the most sought-after fishing spots in the state. Along with popular fish found in the lake, you may also come across gizzard shad, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, snakehead, creek chubsucker, brown bullhead, and golden shiner. To increase your chances of a good fishing trip, head out to the four fish attractors throughout the pond or make your way over to brush piles.

2. Cape Henlopen State Park

Location: Lewes, Delaware

At Cape Henlopen, you have a couple of fishing areas to select from. There’s ocean access, bay access, and even a fishing pier where you can set up at any time of day. This area is open 24 hours a day throughout the year, which gives you a great place to get away during any season. Just be sure to enter the park between 8 AM and sundown to stay overnight.

Some of the fish you can expect to catch at Cape Henlopen include flounder, bluefish, snapper, weakfish, croaker, spot, porgies, sand perch, dogfish, and pinfish. You are also allowed to surf fish here, but you need a permit. If you don’t want to fish from the pier, take your boat out. However, if you go to the pier, you have access to a bait and tackle shop and you can also get some food to snack on while you wait for your next catch!

3. Delaware Seashore State Park

Location: Indian River Inlet

Delaware Seashore State Park offers several options for fishing. You can enjoy saltwater or freshwater fishing, head offshore, and even go crabbing and clamming. Be sure you have your fishing license with you when you head out. For saltwater fishing, you can fish from a pier, along the banks of the Indian River Inlet, or right from the beach.

If you’re interested in getting out to deeper water, try the charter fleet at the Indian River Marina in the park. Here, you can find bluefish, rockfish, sea trout, tautog, flounder, sea bass, drum, bluefin tuna, and mackerel. There’s always something to do at Delaware Seashore State Park so one weekend might be a fishing trip, and another could be a whole family trip to enjoy other types of outdoor adventures.

4. Moores Lake

Location: Dover, Delaware

Anglers love Moores Lake because of the bass and bluegill. The lake is a total of 27 acres. The shoreline is less than two miles and is primarily on private property. When you’re fishing from the bank, you do have to mind the space where you set up. You can only use the space between where the boat launch ramp is located and the dam, which is on the lake’s east end. Aside from bass and bluegill, you can expect to find perch, sunfish, and crappie.

You can take out a small boat, a canoe, or a kayak on this lake. Don’t expect to find rentals available here, however. There’s no lodging on site but if you plan to stay, you can find accommodations nearby. There’s no camping here. While there’s no bait and tackle shop, there is a convenience store and a restaurant at Moores Lake.

5. Woodland Beach

Location: Smyrna, Delaware

At Woodland Beach, you can either head out to the pier to fish or use any one of the two boat ramps available. On the creek side, you can launch your small boat and on the bayside, you can launch a small craft. You can also fish along the beach. It makes for a good fishing trip, especially during the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

You can also stop by any of the bait shops situated along Route 9 in case you need any last-minute items. There is a variety of fish here, including white perch, dogfish, bluefish, striped bass, catfish, croaker, skates, and on occasion, carp. There are also sharks and rays at the beach and you could go out crabbing as well.

Summary of 5 Best Fishing Lakes in Delaware

Here’s a summary of the 5 best fishing lakes in Delaware, where they are located, and what fish you might find there: