The 10 Best Delaware Lakes: Incredible Swimming, Fishing, Haunted Lakes, and More!

Delaware holds over thirty freshwater lakes and ponds that are open for fishing and other outdoor recreational activities. There’s only one natural lake in Delaware. This ranks the state second (tied with Texas) to only Maryland for having the fewest lakes out of all states in the US.

Various types of lakes exist in Delaware; many of them are called ponds. Don’t let the term “pond” confuse you; most are large bodies of water with full-service fishing and camping amenities. Killens Pond for example actually has a water park for swimming adjacent to the lake.

From Silver Lake located in Dover, to the haunted waters of Lums Pond, Delaware holds many amazing and interesting lakes. Remember, Delaware’s lakes aren’t huge, therefore boating size restrictions, no-wake policies, and combustion engine restrictions are common.

Let’s dive into the 10 best Delaware lakes!

1. Trap Pond & State Park

• Surface Area: 4,000 acres (including park)
• Max Depth: 9 Feet
• Camping/Overnight Available: Yes
• Boating/Docks Available: Yes, No-Wake Lake
• Swimming Permitted: Yes
• Fishing Permitted: Yes
• Best For: Bald Cypress Trees, Kayaking, Bald Cypress Nature Center

Trap Pond got its start in the eighteen hundreds by the creators of Trap Mills looking to harvest bald cypress trees. Today the site is host to all the modern amenities. Visitors to Trap Pond and State Park can enjoy cabin rentals, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, bird watching, guided pontoon tours, a playground, and even shopping!

Fish species anglers can expect to find at Trap Pond include bluegill, carp, crappie, American eel, largemouth bass, pickerel, pike, and sunfish. Trap Pond provides one boat launch that provides service for small-motorized boats. Boaters note there is a no-wake policy on the water.

Birdwatchers flock to Trap Pond to view the wide range of species including bald eagles, pileated woodpeckers, orioles, wood ducks, tanagers, warblers, great blue herons, owls, and hummingbirds. Visitors wishing for an extended stay can take advantage of the one hundred and forty-two campsites.

2. Wagamons Pond

• Surface Area: 44 acres
• Max Depth: 8 Feet
• Camping/Overnight Available: No
• Boating/Docks Available: Yes
• Swimming Permitted: No
• Fishing Permitted: Yes
• Best For: Tournament Bass Fishing, State Record Bass

Wagamons Pond is a man-made lake near Milton. The body of water is known for its spectacular bass fishing. Two state-record Largemouth bass have been pulled out of this lake. The other fish available at Wagamons Pond include black crappie, bluegill, chain pickerel, white & yellow perch, and redear sunfish.

Wagamons Pond Dam was built in 1815 to create the lake. The main water source of this lake is the Broadkill River. A new boat ramp was built at the lake within the last couple of years. Fly-fishing and baitcasting are both said to be effective from boats and also the shoreline.

The lake goes by a couple of other names, Paynters Pond, Waggamons Pond, and Milton Pond. They’re all the same lake; the one with record-breaking bass fishing.

3. Millsboro Pond

• Surface Area: 101 acres
• Max Depth: 12 Feet
• Camping/Overnight Available: No
• Boating/Docks Available: Yes
• Swimming Permitted: Yes
• Fishing Permitted: Yes
• Best For: Smaller Boats, Wide Variety of Fish Species

Millsboro Pond is an awesome little body of water providing really great fishing from the bank or by small boat. Many types of fish inhabit the water including largemouth bass, bluegill, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, common carp, black crappie, white & yellow perch, chain pickerel, redear sunfish, tautog, pumpkinseed sunfish, and American eel. The area is also home to many birds including bald eagles, barred owls, and the red-shouldered hawk.

Gasoline and electric motors are permitted at Millsboro Pond. Boaters should be aware of the engine size restrictions due to the lake’s shallow water. Canoe or kayak are great options for getting out into the water.

Nearby historic Millsboro is a riverside town on the bank of the Indian River. Millsboro has boutique stores, antique shops, cafes, restaurants, a museum, golf, and many other amenities and activities.

4. Records Pond

• Surface Area: 90 acres
• Max Depth: 10 Feet
• Camping/Overnight Available: No
• Boating/Docks Available: No
• Swimming Permitted: No
• Fishing Permitted: No
• Best For: Abundant Fish, ADA Accessible Pier

Records Pond is a quaint body of water referred to by locals as Laurel Lake. Anglers can try their luck catching large & smallmouth bass, carp, bluegill, bream, bullhead, chain pickerel, crappie, white & yellow perch, redear sunfish, and pumpkinseed. Largemouth bass between twelve and fifteen pounds have been recorded.

Records Pond has an ADA handicapped-accessible fishing pier located at the southwest corner of the pond close to the water control structure. Boating size is limited on Records Pond because of its smaller size. Fishing is said to be decent from the shore, with small boats, kayaks, and canoes.

In addition to the water, visitors can visit nearby historic Laurel for a great small-town experience. Laurel is on Broad Creek running from Delmar to Records Pond.

5. Killens Pond

• Surface Area: 66 acres
• Max Depth: 7 Feet
• Camping/Overnight Available: Yes
• Boating/Docks Available: Yes
• Swimming Permitted: Yes
• Fishing Permitted: Yes, Killens Pond Waterpark
• Best For: Water Park, Rated Highest Catch Per Angler Hour in Delware

Killens Pond is located within Killens Pond State Park. The park is a full-service outdoor playground actually hosting a water park right by the lake.

Killens Pond State Park provides over fifty campsites with electricity and water and seventeen primitive sites for tent camping.

Bird watchers can scope for pileated woodpeckers, prothonotary warblers, and barred owls. Anglers can fish the waters for largemouth bass, catfish, carp, perch, crappie, bluegill, and pickerel. Canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats can be rented during the summer months for on-the-water fun.

6. Lake Como

• Surface Area: 42 acres
• Max Depth: 8 Feet
• Camping/Overnight Available: No
• Boating/Docks Available: Yes
• Swimming Permitted: Yes
• Fishing Permitted: Yes
• Best For: One of Delaware’s Only Swimmable Lakes, Good Fishing

Another lovely little body of water that Delawareans love to enjoy is Lake Como. For a small lake, it offers a full line of activities including a beach with a swimming area, playground, shore fishing area, boat ramp, picnic tables, and a pavilion. Lake Como is one of Delaware’s only swimmable lakes.

All kinds of fish swim Lake Como including largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, chain pickerel, white & yellow perch, and pumpkinseed. Boating is permitted and the lake has a boat ramp.

Visitors of Lake Como can also experience the wonderful nearby town of Smyrna. Enjoy fantastic restaurants, a museum, and even catch a live show at the Smyrna Opera House.

7. Moores Lake

• Surface Area: 30 acres
• Max Depth: N/A
• Camping/Overnight Available: No
• Boating/Docks Available: Yes
• Swimming Permitted: No
• Fishing Permitted: Yes
• Best For: Nice Quiet Lake, Local Hotspot for Fishing, Kayaking, and Canoeing

Moores Lake is a small body of water located south of Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. Fish species at Moores Lake include largemouth bass, yellow & white perch, bluegill, pickerel, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, and black crappie. Anglers are permitted to fish from the shore in the area between the boat launch ramp and the dam.

There is a boat launch available for small boats, canoes, and kayaks. Boat fishing might be the best option at Moores Lake because most of the two-mile shoreline is private property.

Carp and catfish once dominated Moores Lake. Today bass and crappie are the better bets. Reports state that there have been issues with the abundance of spatterdock and planktonic algae in the past. Visitors might need to watch out for potentially problematic aquatic vegetation.

8. Becks Pond

• Surface Area: 28 acres
• Max Depth: 11 Feet
• Camping/Overnight Available: No
• Boating/Docks Available: Yes, No Gasoline Engines
• Swimming Permitted: No
• Fishing Permitted: Yes
• Best For: Second Most Fished Lake in Delaware, Very Clean Lake Experience, Family Friendly

Becks Pond is one of the smaller lakes in Delaware. Despite its size, the lake is one of the most fished in the entire state. Good-sized bass are pulled from Becks Pond often. In addition to the bass, there is a wide range of other species present. There was even one report of a piranha!

Anglers can also hook brown bullhead, bluegill, calico bass aka black & white crappie, chain pickerel, and yellow perch at Becks Pond. You might even snag an invasive northern snakehead! Small boats are permitted with electric engines only.

Wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers can keep an eye out for multiple types of turtles, frogs, gray herons, red-winged blackbirds, wood ducks, and Canadian geese. In addition to the fishing, children can enjoy the playground and adults can relax in the gazebo.

9. Lums Pond

• Surface Area: 5,420 acres
• Max Depth: 90 Feet
• Camping/Overnight Available:
• Boating/Docks Available: Yes
• Swimming Permitted: Yes
• Fishing Permitted: Yes
• Best For: Readers Digest Best RV Park in Delaware, Largest Lake in Delaware, Haunted Lake

Lums Pond is a full-service lake. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, boat rentals, bike trails, a zipline, sports fields, horseback riding, an off-leash dog park, disc golf, and even seasonal hayrides. Boats are permitted and rowboat, canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rental are available.

Fish species available at Lums Pond include carp, pickerel, crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass and occasionally stocked hybrid striped bass. Anglers are welcome to fish from the two piers provided.

Lums Pond is also popular with true crime and paranormal enthusiasts. A young girl was murdered at the lake in the 1800s; the villain was never apprehended. Multiple reports of people hearing faint screams from the victim are still circulating today. It’s claimed to be a haunted lake!

10. Silver Lake

• Surface Area: 937 acres
• Max Depth: 25 Feet
• Camping/Overnight Available: Motel & Hotel
• Boating/Docks Available: Yes
• Swimming Permitted: Yes
• Fishing Permitted: Yes
• Best For: In-City Lake Experience, Bass Fishing, Duck & Birdwatching, Silver Lake State Bird Refuge

Silver Lake is located in the capital city of Dover. Locals and tourists are sure to enjoy the nearly two hundred acres of recreation fields, playgrounds, grills, fitness courses, walking paths, fishing, and camping. Rehoboth Beach and the Atlantic Ocean are minutes away from Silver Lake providing an extensive collection of activities and amenities.

Anglers looking for an in-city fishing escape can try their hand at hooking a carp, largemouth bass, crappie, white perch, or striped bass. Other fish species at Silver Lake include pickerel, pike, pumpkinseed, and sunfish. The lake has a boat launch available for deeper water fishing.

The surrounding park and area are home to wintering duck species including canvasbacks. Bird watchers are likely to also spot ruddy ducks, mallards, lesser and greater scaup, gulls, and various other water birds.

Summary of The 10 Best Delaware Lakes

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock.com