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Changes to fishing regulations set to be finalized

March 31, 2018

The proposed regulations for 2018 have been finalized. We will see a 16.5-inch total length limit for summer flounder, down a half-inch from 2017. Granted, this is a small reduction, but some of us flounder fishermen need all the help we can get.

A new regulation that should help the ocean-going charter and head boat fleet is no closed season on black sea bass once the season opens May 15. Now, instead of closing in September, we will be able to keep black sea bass until Dec. 31.

There are still a few procedures that have to occur before the regulations are officially final, but they have been approved. This means the 17-inch size limit for flounder is still in effect, but it will decrease to 16.5 long before any summer flounder show up in Delaware. You may want to make corrections on your fishing guide and rulers to reflect the changes. 

Trout season changes

Delaware has made some changes in the stocking plans for the 2018 trout season in New Castle County. The biggest one is the schedule for Wilson Run at Brandywine Creek State Park. Ever since I can remember, Wilson Run has been stocked prior to the opening day, which falls on April 7. This year the creek will not receive any trout until April 19 and then again April 26 in preparation for the folks with special needs and old people’s derby April 28.

I have been recommending Wilson Run as the best location to take kids on opening day to avoid the crowds and parking problems found at other places like White Clay Creek.

This year, for the first time since the 1980s, Red Clay Creek will be open for trout fishing. It will not be stocked until April 9 and then again April 19. The problem has been the contamination left in Red Clay Creek by the National Vulcanized Fiber plant that pretty much killed off the insect life in the creek. I recall doing a stream check with the folks from Delaware Wildlife that showed no insects living in the water. We had all sorts of bugs in the feeder creeks, but nothing in Red Clay. It is good to see the water quality has improved.

I try to make the trip to New Castle County each spring because I so enjoy trout fishing on a beautiful warm day. Last year, beautiful warm days and my schedule did not align. I hope to do better this year.

Harrison’s Chesapeake House

There has been a major shift on Tilghman Island, Md. The Harrison’s Chesapeake House is no longer. Beginning April 15, the Wylder Hotel, Tilghman Island will open for business and replace four generations of ownership by the Harrison family. According to the press release from Wyler Hotels, the same charter boats will run from the dock, but there will also be 25 open docks for guests to arrive by boat.

All 54 rooms have been upgraded, and there is now a saltwater pool. Three restaurants replace the one large dining room, and the menu change will go from Eastern Shore to New York City.

I have spent several days at Harrison’s Chesapeake House and fishing from the boats that ran out of there. The late Capt. Buddy Harrison was a one-of-a-kind person and ran a special deal called the Buddy Plan that allowed a guest to have dinner, spend the night, then have breakfast before going on a full-day charter with a big box lunch. The last time I was there, the cost was $225 person. The Wylder room rate is $200 per night with a two-night minimum. I believe they are hoping to attract a different customer base. I wish them luck.

Fishing report

Last Saturday, I tried several fishing locations from Lewes to Laurel. I did not catch nor did I see anyone else catch a single fish. This despite reports from a few tackle shops that said white perch had been caught in several of these locations.

My quest began at Lewes Harbour Marina where I discovered the head and charter boats had no plans to run until after Easter. They did have reports of white perch at Round Pole Bridge in Milton. I checked that location out to find no one even fishing there.

Then I drove over to Laurel to fish the spillway and never saw nor did I catch the first fish. Two gentlemen there said a few perch had been caught.

Finally, I tried Phillips Landing near Bethel. This was another disappointment, as three people fishing from the bank had nothing to show for their efforts. The one angler I spoke with had caught a couple of small rockfish on bloodworms.

And so it goes.

  • Eric Burnley is a Delaware native who has fished and hunted the state from an early age. Since 1978 he has written countless articles about hunting and fishing in Delaware and elsewhere along the Atlantic Coast. He has been the regional editor for several publications and was the founding editor of the Mid-Atlantic Fisherman magazine. Eric is the author of three books: Surf Fishing the Atlantic Coast, The Ultimate Guide to Striped Bass Fishing and Fishing Saltwater Baits. He and his wife Barbara live near Milton, Delaware. Eric can be reached at Eburnle@aol.com.

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