Low-digit surf-fishing tags up for auction

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is auctioning low-digit surf-fishing plates at usgovbid.com.

Through Thursday, Dec. 9, bidders will have the option to bid on 15 tags, including tags 26, 54, 132, 211, 301, 454 and on nine “choice” categories, ranging from tags 51 to 9999. The highest bidder in each choice category can choose a number, if not already sold, within that category.

The minimum bid for a low-digit surf-fishing plate is $250. By state law, surf-fishing tags numbered 1 through 200 are limited to vehicles registered in Delaware.

The auction of low-numbered plates was authorized by the Delaware General Assembly in 2015 and allows the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation to auction low-digit tags to the highest bidder. This one-of-a-kind program has raised more than $500,000 to date, and all proceeds directly benefit Delaware State Parks, which is 65 percent self-funded.

A low-digit surf-fishing plate is not required for drive-on surf-fishing in Delaware State Parks. Annual surf-fishing permits are anticipated to go on sale this winter.

For more information, go to destateparks.com/LowDigitTags or usgovbid.com.