The Delaware River, one of the largest rivers on the Eastern Seaboard, flows for over 300 miles from its humble beginnings in New York's Catskill Mountains to its ultimate destination at the Atlantic through Delaware Bay. Beginning as two waterways—the East Branch and West Branch Delaware—which meet in Hancock, New York to form the main stem, the river gains strength as it travels southward. It forms natural borders between states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and passes through diverse landscapes from pristine mountain wilderness to industrial urban areas. Remarkably, the Delaware has no dams along its entire main stem, earning portions Wild and Scenic River status in 1978. This free-flowing nature contributes to the river's exceptional fishing opportunities, ranging from world-class trout fishing in its upper reaches to epic striped bass and American shad runs in the lower sections.
Learn what type of fish are at Delaware River and what's needed to catch them.
Micropterus salmoides
Micropterus dolomieu
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Salmo trutta
Salvelinus fontinalis
Esox lucius
Esox masquinongy
Sander vitreus
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Alosa sapidissima
Lepomis macrochirus
Ameiurus nebulosus
Esox niger
Ictalurus punctatus
Cyprinus carpio
Semotilus corporalis
Pylodictis olivaris
Aplodinotus grunniens
Esox americanus
Lepomis cyanellus
Alosa mediocris
Lepomis megalotis
Hypentelium nigricans
Channa argus
Lepomis gibbosus
Carpiodes cyprinus
Lepomis auritus
Ambloplites rupestris
Morone saxatilis
Morone chrysops
Ameiurus catus
Pomoxis annularis
Morone americana
Catostomus commersonii
Ameiurus natalis
Perca flavescens
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Updated Nov 13, 2026. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.
Open stocking page, opens in new tabLearn how to get on Delaware 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.
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.
What you need to float or boat Delaware River, and when to apply.
Buckhorn Natural Area, below Pond Eddy
Registration · Overnight trips · Required year-round
River users camping at the boat-only Buckhorn Natural Area on the Upper Delaware need a free permit, requested by email.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Reservation permit · Overnight trips · Required year-round
Paddlers using the 62 river campsites on the Middle Delaware in Delaware Water Gap NRA must reserve and pay ahead on Recreation.gov.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
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.
A current license, signed in ink, is required of persons age 16 and over to fish or angle for any species of fish and to take fish bait, baitfish, and species of amphibians and reptiles from Commonwealth waters by those legal methods described in the Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws (Summary Book).
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
The public has the right to fish in any navigable waterway, which is determined by the practical uses of the water. If a stream is determined navigable, the streambed is considered state owned, thus allowing wading, portage, and fishing. If the stream bed is non-navigable, floating is permitted, but fishing is exclusive to the landowner.
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.
Download the map around Delaware River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for Delaware River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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See the best times to fish Delaware River and check the forecast before you go.
All Flow Stations
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