Contact: Craig Shirey, Fisheries Section, phone: (302) 739-9914
or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, phone: (302) 739-9902

DNREC Stocks New Castle County Creeks with Trout; Season Opens Saturday, April 7 at 7:30 a.m.

DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will stock six northern New Castle County creeks with more than 33,000 rainbow and brown trout this spring. The first stocking of more than 14,000 rainbow trout will be completed during the first week of April, prior to the opening of trout season on Saturday, April 7 at 7:30 a.m. The six streams include White Clay Creek, Wilson Run, Christina Creek, Beaver Run, Mill Creek and Pike Creek.

The pre-season stocking will include rainbow trout averaging 11 inches, as well as trophy-sized rainbows averaging two pounds or greater. The supplemental stocking of 11-inch rainbow trout will continue through early May on a weekly basis in White Clay Creek. Additional stocking of rainbows at several other creeks is scheduled for April 12, 16 and 26. Brown trout averaging 11 inches will be stocked on April 19 and May 3.

“Our stocking program brings the excitement of freshwater trout fishing to anglers of all ages,” said Craig Shirey, Fisheries program manager. “We try to increase fishing opportunities by stocking two popular trout species in streams that don’t normally support much fishing activity. In addition, we will stock a small portion of Wilson Run for the “Gary Lasako Memorial Special Populations Fishing Derby” held at Brandywine Creek State Park on April 28. Anglers with disabilities should call the park office at 302-655-5740 for more information.”

The trout program in Delaware is a ‘put-and-take’ program, since trout are cold water fish and can only survive for a limited time in Delaware’s mild waters. The trout are purchased from trout farms located in neighboring states and are usually caught within a few months of release.

Anglers are encouraged to keep the fish they catch, with a daily limit per angler of 6 trout. DNREC’s web site includes Delaware sport fish consumption advisory information. When proper consumption advice is followed, eating fish as part of a healthy diet has been found to provide cardiovascular and other health benefits.

Anglers 12 through 15 years of age are required to have a Young Angler Trout Stamp, and those from 16 to 65 must purchase a Delaware freshwater fishing license and a trout stamp. To purchase a fishing license or Trout Stamp online visit, www.fw.delaware.gov and click on “Fisheries Section” or visit one of the 125 fishing license agents throughout the state.

All proceeds from the Trout Stamps are used to purchase next year’s fish for the program. Each year artists from across the nation submit paintings of rainbow, brown or brook trout for the competition to choose the illustration for the Delaware Trout Stamp. Some 6,500 trout anglers and stamp collectors support this program annually, generating approximately $25,000 in annual revenues used to match federal funds for the trout program.
 

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