Weakfish Regulations in Delaware (2026)

Where

Statewide

Size limit

1.0 It is unlawful for any person to possess weakfish, Cynoscion regalis, taken with a hook and line, that measure less than thirteen (13) inches, total length.

Bag limit

2.0 It is unlawful for any person to whom the Department has issued a commercial food fishing license and a food fishing equipment permit for hook and line to have more than one (1) wea kfish in possession during the period beginning at 12:01 AM on June 3 and ending at midnight on October 31 except on four specific days of the week as indicated by the Department on said person’s food fishing equipment permit for hook and line. 7.0 The Department shall indicate on a person’s food fishing equipment permit for hook and line four (4) specific days of the week during the period June 3 through October 31, selected by said person when applying for said permit, as to when said permit is valid to take in excess of one (1) weakfish but not more than 100 pounds per day. These four days of the week shall not be changed at any time during the remainder of the calendar year.

Season

3.1 It is unlawful for any person, who has been issued a valid commercial food fishing license and a valid food fishing equipment permit to possess more than one hundred pounds (100 lbs) of weakfish per vessel per day (a day being 24 hours) or trip, whichever is the longer period of time, during the periods January 1 through April 30 and June 3 through December 31. 5.0 It is unlawful for any person issued a valid commercial food fishing license to take and reduce to possession any weakfish during the period May 1 through June 2, except a person issued a valid commercial food fishing license and a valid gill net food fishing permit by the Department may retain not more than 100 pounds of weakfish per day or trip (whichever is the longer period of time) as bycatch, provided that the combined weight of all other finfish retained per said day or trip is greater than the combined weight of weakfish retained. [Note: All provisions of 7 Del.C. §923 continue to apply.]

• 8.0 It is unlawful for any person with a food fishing equipment permit for hook and line to possess more than one (1) weakfish while on the same vessel with another person who also has a food fishing equipment permit for hook and line unless each person’s food fishing equipment permit for hook and line specifies the same day of the week in question for taking in excess of one (1) weakfish.
• 5.0 It is unlawful for any person issued a valid commercial food fishing license to take and reduce to possession any weakfish during the period May 1 through June 2, except a person issued a valid commercial food fishing license and a valid gill net food fishing permit by the Department may retain not more than 100 pounds of weakfish per day or trip (whichever is the longer period of time) as bycatch, provided that the combined weight of all other finfish retained per said day or trip is greater than the combined weight of weakfish retained. [Note: All provisions of 7 Del.C. §923 continue to apply.]

Official source

Where

Statewide

Size limit

3.0 It is unlawful for any person, who has been issued a valid commercial food fishing license and a valid food fishing equipment permit for fishing equipment other than a hook and line to possess weakfish, lawfully taken by use of such permitted food fishing equipment, that measure less than twelve (12) inches, total length.

Bag limit

3.1 It is unlawful for any person, who has been issued a valid commercial food fishing license and a valid food fishing equipment permit to possess more than one hundred pounds (100 lbs) of weakfish per vessel per day (a day being 24 hours) or trip, whichever is the longer period of time, during the periods January 1 through April 30 and June 3 through December 31.

Season

3.1 It is unlawful for any person, who has been issued a valid commercial food fishing license and a valid food fishing equipment permit to possess more than one hundred pounds (100 lbs) of weakfish per vessel per day (a day being 24 hours) or trip, whichever is the longer period of time, during the periods January 1 through April 30 and June 3 through December 31. 5.0 It is unlawful for any person issued a valid commercial food fishing license to take and reduce to possession any weakfish during the period May 1 through June 2, except a person issued a valid commercial food fishing license and a valid gill net food fishing permit by the Department may retain not more than 100 pounds of weakfish per day or trip (whichever is the longer period of time) as bycatch, provided that the combined weight of all other finfish retained per said day or trip is greater than the combined weight of weakfish retained. [Note: All provisions of 7 Del.C. §923 continue to apply.]

• 5.0 It is unlawful for any person issued a valid commercial food fishing license to take and reduce to possession any weakfish during the period May 1 through June 2, except a person issued a valid commercial food fishing license and a valid gill net food fishing permit by the Department may retain not more than 100 pounds of weakfish per day or trip (whichever is the longer period of time) as bycatch, provided that the combined weight of all other finfish retained per said day or trip is greater than the combined weight of weakfish retained. [Note: All provisions of 7 Del.C. §923 continue to apply.]

Official source