Fresh Water Fishing in Delaware: Now retired and I’m new to fishing. I’d like to try for yellow perch or any other good pan fish. Recommendations on locations greatly appreciated.

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Fresh Water Fishing in Delaware

Delaware Fishing

Feb 27, 2023 18:21:51 #

intdeg01 Loc: Dagsboro, de

Now retired and I’m new to fishing. I’d like to try for yellow perch or any other good pan fish. Recommendations on locations greatly appreciated. Location Sussex County.

Feb 28, 2023 08:11:48 #

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Now that's what I've been looking fir here in New Castle County. The yellow perch are just warming up.

Feb 28, 2023 14:30:49 #

DE ShoreAngler22 Loc: Delaware

intdeg01 wrote:

Now retired and I’m new to fishing. I’d like to try for yellow perch or any other good pan fish. Recommendations on locations greatly appreciated. Location Sussex County.

Find any place where a tidal stream meets a mill pond dam. The more productive places have relatively clear (not turbid) water and a place for spawning - a side of the stream with a sandy or gravel bottom and it stays wet through the low tide cycle.

Tributaries of the Nanticoke and creeks in Maryland are better than those on the east side of the Delaware. But, you can find them in places like the state pier off Mulberry Street in Milton.

Grass shrimp is the best bait. Scraping a mesh net over the barnacles of pilings and rip rap in tidal areas will bring you hundreds, at no cost beyond the cost of the net and a bucket.

Good luck!

Feb 28, 2023 14:36:15 #

intdeg01 Loc: Dagsboro, de

Thanks. I appreciate you taking the time to help

Mar 1, 2023 09:05:04 #

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Good advice on the bait too.

Mar 8, 2023 21:16:07 #

azoreswanderer Loc: Dover de

intdeg01 wrote:

Now retired and I’m new to fishing. I’d like to try for yellow perch or any other good pan fish. Recommendations on locations greatly appreciated. Location Sussex County.

Just retired myself. Used to fish in Michigan for panfish. Crappies and pike. Had a lot of fun but not a skilled fishermsn. Bought a used 14 ft. Jon boat. Trailer, motor, I'm fixing up. Soon as I get the boat going I'm going to start fishing.

Mar 8, 2023 21:30:50 #

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

azoreswanderer wrote:

You have what I started looking for when covid hit. Ended up with a 16 foot Tracker. Love the boat, I went down to Garrison Lake to check out the ramp. Looks like a nice place to launch, just have to find the fish. Threw some worms off the bank while I was there but no luck. Should be warmed up enough to take the winter cover off the boat by the end of the month.

Mar 9, 2023 14:46:07 #

azoreswanderer Loc: Dover de

Good deal.

Mar 11, 2023 15:34:55 #

Sandcrab Loc: Dover, DE

I've done really well in Garrisons lake by flipping and pitching Texas-rigged 3 or 4" plastics into the spatterdocks. Once the spatterdocks get tall and full in the Summer, it makes it very hard to catch bass this way. Last year they (DNR) let the spatterdocks go wild and fishing went down the drain. Hopefully, they'll do some "trimming" this year. This lake does have plenty of larger bass - over 4 lbs - in it...

Mar 11, 2023 15:36:09 #

Sandcrab Loc: Dover, DE

Think Berkley 4" Pit Boss was my favorite for Garrisons Lake...

Mar 11, 2023 18:19:50 #

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I just picked up a 2 30 packs of Yum in watermelon/ red flake and green pumpkin. Can't wait to get them wet

Mar 11, 2023 18:35:00 #

azoreswanderer Loc: Dover de

Thanks for the info.

Mar 12, 2023 15:37:34 #

Bock1019 Loc: Smyrna Delaware

Most of the upper parts of the rivers in Maryland and Delaware are loaded with white perch. Got 19 yesterday