10-25-2012, 11:10 AM
WHITE CLAY CREEK The Fisheries Section of the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife announced today that White Clay Creek has received its fall stocking of trout.
DNREC Fisheries staff, along with volunteer help, stocked 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout throughout White Clay Creek from near the border with Pennsylvania downstream to Newark at all of the normal stocking locations. The volunteers used float boxes to carry hundreds of fish upstream and down from the truck access points along White Clay.
"The fish looked great! Most were over 12 or 13 inches, and they were all healthy, just a beautiful bunch of fish!" enthused Fisheries staff member Mark Zimmerman, who heads up the trout stocking efforts.
Fisheries Administrator John Clark noted that fall stocking is handled with less fanfare than the spring stocking to give anglers a different flavor in a mellower season.
"We try to avoid the crowds and hype that often overshadow the spring opener on the first Saturday in April," Clark said, noting that the stocking schedule is included in the annual Fishing Guide and online but the exact date of the fall delivery is not publicized in advance. "Anglers appear to appreciate this approach, especially when they go to one of their favorite locations, find fish swimming around, and have the stream mostly to themselves. It's a beautiful time of year to enjoy some peace and quiet and catch some nice fish," Clark said. "And, since rainbow trout are a coldwater species, fish stocked in the fall should provide action throughout the winter."
Resident anglers wishing to try their luck are reminded that in addition to Delaware's normal fishing license requirements, most anglers also must purchase a trout stamp, which costs $4.20 for ages 16 through 64, or a youth stamp, which costs $2.10 for youth anglers ages 12 through 15. A resident annual fishing license, which covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64.
Anglers under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware. Higher stamp and license prices apply to non-resident anglers. Exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses and trout stamps if they so choose to help support fisheries management and Delaware's trout stocking efforts.
Delaware's trout stocking is conducted under the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Trout anglers support the program directly through the purchase of the required trout stamp along with the normal resident or non-resident fishing license. Proceeds from trout stamps go directly towards the purchase of rainbow trout from out-of-state producers, typically in Pennsylvania.
To purchase a fishing license or trout stamps, or for more information about trout fishing in Delaware, visit www.fw.delaware.gov, or call the Fisheries section at 302-739-9914.
DNREC Fisheries staff, along with volunteer help, stocked 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout throughout White Clay Creek from near the border with Pennsylvania downstream to Newark at all of the normal stocking locations. The volunteers used float boxes to carry hundreds of fish upstream and down from the truck access points along White Clay.
"The fish looked great! Most were over 12 or 13 inches, and they were all healthy, just a beautiful bunch of fish!" enthused Fisheries staff member Mark Zimmerman, who heads up the trout stocking efforts.
Fisheries Administrator John Clark noted that fall stocking is handled with less fanfare than the spring stocking to give anglers a different flavor in a mellower season.
"We try to avoid the crowds and hype that often overshadow the spring opener on the first Saturday in April," Clark said, noting that the stocking schedule is included in the annual Fishing Guide and online but the exact date of the fall delivery is not publicized in advance. "Anglers appear to appreciate this approach, especially when they go to one of their favorite locations, find fish swimming around, and have the stream mostly to themselves. It's a beautiful time of year to enjoy some peace and quiet and catch some nice fish," Clark said. "And, since rainbow trout are a coldwater species, fish stocked in the fall should provide action throughout the winter."
Resident anglers wishing to try their luck are reminded that in addition to Delaware's normal fishing license requirements, most anglers also must purchase a trout stamp, which costs $4.20 for ages 16 through 64, or a youth stamp, which costs $2.10 for youth anglers ages 12 through 15. A resident annual fishing license, which covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64.
Anglers under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware. Higher stamp and license prices apply to non-resident anglers. Exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses and trout stamps if they so choose to help support fisheries management and Delaware's trout stocking efforts.
Delaware's trout stocking is conducted under the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Trout anglers support the program directly through the purchase of the required trout stamp along with the normal resident or non-resident fishing license. Proceeds from trout stamps go directly towards the purchase of rainbow trout from out-of-state producers, typically in Pennsylvania.
To purchase a fishing license or trout stamps, or for more information about trout fishing in Delaware, visit www.fw.delaware.gov, or call the Fisheries section at 302-739-9914.