Christina River

Saltwater
Tidal river

Christina River

Saltwater
Tidal river

Sq. miles: 0.6
Boat Ramps: 2
Access Points: 4
Species: 8

The Christina River is a significant tidal river flowing through Wilmington, Delaware, and serves as a vital tributary to the Delaware River. As a tidal waterway, it offers diverse inshore fishing opportunities within an urban setting, blending accessible public infrastructure with productive brackish and saltwater habitats. The river is part of the broader Christina River Basin and supports a mix of resident and migratory species, making it a popular destination for shore and boat anglers year-round.

Delaware licenses and regulations6 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Christina River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Chain Pickerel

Esox niger

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Spot

Leiostomus xanthurus

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

White Perch

Morone americana

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Christina River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Christina River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Delaware licenses and regulations

Delaware Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Delaware Coastal & Inland Waters

A single Delaware recreational fishing license covers all tidal and non-tidal waters in the state, so one license applies whether you are fishing the Atlantic surf, Delaware Bay, the Inland Bays, or freshwater rivers. Delaware manages non-migratory species in state waters on its own, while migratory species found mainly in state waters are jointly managed with other Atlantic Coast states through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. State waters extend to three nautical miles offshore, beyond which federal rules apply.

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Delaware Federal Waters & Offshore Rules

Beyond three nautical miles, federal waters run to 200 nautical miles offshore and are managed by NOAA Fisheries in partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Anglers targeting Atlantic highly migratory species such as tuna, billfish, swordfish, or sharks must carry a federal HMS Angling or vessel permit issued by NOAA Fisheries regardless of whether they also hold a state license. Delaware anglers holding a valid state license are exempt from the separate National Saltwater Angler Registry because Delaware shares its license data with NOAA.

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Delaware Saltwater Fishing License

Any angler age 16 or older needs a Delaware fishing license to fish, crab, or clam in tidal and non-tidal waters statewide. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife issues the license annually through Digital DNREC, authorized agents, or in person in Dover. Anglers aboard licensed charter or head boats are covered by the vessel license, and DNREC designates free fishing days each year during National Fishing and Boating Week when no license is required, though a free FIN number is still needed.

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Delaware Saltwater Size & Bag Limits

Size and bag limits apply to tidal species and can change during the year, so check the current table before you head out. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife sets these rules, and the current seasons, sizes, and daily limits for species such as striped bass, summer flounder, black sea bass, bluefish, and cobia are kept in the tidal regulations guide. The electronic version is updated as changes occur throughout the season.

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Delaware Shellfish Closures & Advisories

A Delaware recreational fishing license is required to harvest shellfish such as clams and crabs in state waters, and recreational harvest of oysters is prohibited statewide. DNREC's Division of Watershed Stewardship runs the Shellfish Program and maintains an interactive map showing which growing areas are approved, seasonally approved, or prohibited for harvest. Areas can close without notice due to sewage releases, rainfall, or other water-quality events, so check the DNREC shellfish map before you go.

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Take Christina River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Christina River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Christina River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)

On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Christina River and check the marine forecast before you launch.

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