Fishing in Middle Delaware National Scenic River

The Middle Delaware runs roughly 40 miles through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, forming the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania as it cuts through the Kittatinny Ridge.

This is a free-flowing, largely undeveloped river corridor — no dams, minimal development on the banks — managed jointly by the two states and the National Park Service.

The fishing here is river fishing in the traditional sense: wading rocky shallows, working eddies below riffles, reading current seams from a canoe or kayak. Smallmouth bass are the backbone of the fishery.

The river's mix of riffles, deep pools, and rocky structure suits them well, and they're present throughout the park's length. Walleye and muskellunge also run this stretch, with walleye more reliably targeted in the deeper, slower pools.

Channel catfish show up in the same water. American shad move through on their spring spawning run, drawing anglers to the current seams near access points like Milford Beach and the Dingmans and Bushkill boat launches. American eel are present year-round.

Striped bass reach this stretch seasonally as well. Access points are spaced along both banks. On the Pennsylvania side, Old Mine Road provides pull-outs and trail access to the river. Poxono has a boat launch and bank access.

Smithfield Beach, Bushkill, and Dingmans are additional launch and access points that anchor different sections of the river.

The park is divided into five camping zones running from the New York border south to Kittatinny Point — the same zones that structure float trips and overnight river travel. No special NPS fishing permit is required.

You'll need a valid license from whichever state you're fishing — Pennsylvania or New Jersey — and you should carry a physical copy. Because the river is the state line, check which state's regulations apply to where you're standing or anchored.

Fish consumption advisories are in effect for several species including smallmouth bass, walleye, American eel, and channel catfish; the NPS posts current advisory tables for both states, and they're worth reading before you keep anything.

The river doesn't ask much of you in terms of gear or access fees. What it asks is that you pay attention to two sets of regulations at once and leave the banks the way you found them.