The Delaware Coastal Fishing Tournament runs from June through September, with monthly divisions and a grand prize structure that rewards both the heaviest fish and consistent catches across the season
The Delaware Coastal Fishing Tournament is an annual event run by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. It opens in June and closes at the end of September, giving anglers a full summer and early fall to compete. The tournament is free to enter — you register your name and contact information with the Division, and then any fish you catch in Delaware waters during those months can be weighed in at official weigh stations.
The tournament divides the season into monthly periods. Each month has its own winners for the heaviest fish in each species category, and there is also a grand prize structure that tracks your best catches across all four months. This means you can fish casually throughout the summer and still compete, or you can target specific species during peak seasons.
Most of the fish weighed in are striped bass, bluefish, flounder, and sea trout, though the exact species may be able to access and the prize structure can shift year to year. The Division posts the current rules and weigh station locations on their website before the tournament opens each June.
Key Takeaways
- Registration is free and happens through the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, with the tournament running June through September each year.
- You can fish from shore, boat, or pier in Delaware waters and weigh your catch at any official weigh station during the tournament window.
- The tournament tracks both monthly winners (heaviest fish per species each month) and a grand prize for best catches across the full season.
- You must follow all Delaware fishing regulations and have the proper licenses for the method you use — the tournament does not replace licensing requirements.
- Weigh stations are located at marinas, tackle shops, and fishing access points around Delaware's coast, with hours posted before the season starts.
How to Register and What You Need
Registration opens in late May or early June each year. You can register online through the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife website or in person at a weigh station. You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, and email. There is no entry fee.
Once you are registered, you can fish anywhere in Delaware waters — the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay, and tidal rivers. You do not need to register each fish individually. Instead, you bring your catch to an official weigh station, and the staff record the weight, species, and date. The weigh station then reports your catch to the Division's tournament database.
You must have a valid Delaware fishing license for the method you are using. If you fish from shore or a public pier, you need a saltwater fishing license. If you fish from a private boat, the boat owner needs a license. Charter boats and party boats have their own licensing, so check with the captain before you book. These licenses are separate from tournament registration and are required by state law regardless of whether you enter the tournament.
Where to Weigh Your Fish
Official weigh stations are scattered along Delaware's coast and inland waterways. Common locations include marinas in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and South Bethany; tackle shops in Lewes and Seaford; and fishing access points managed by the Division. Each station has posted hours, usually opening in early morning and closing in late afternoon or early evening.
Weigh stations close on certain days — typically Mondays or Tuesdays — so check the Division's website or call ahead before you make the trip. If you catch a fish late in the day and the nearest station is closed, you can keep the fish on ice and weigh it the next day, as long as you bring it in before the station closes that evening. The Division records the catch date, not the weigh date, so timing your visit does not affect your entry.
Some tackle shops and marinas that serve as weigh stations also sell bait, ice, and supplies, so you can handle your catch properly while you are there. Bring a cooler with ice if you are fishing far from a weigh station, and keep your fish cold from the moment you land it until you weigh it in.
Prize Structure and Monthly Divisions
Each month from June through September has its own set of winners. The Division typically awards prizes for the heaviest fish in each may be able to access species — usually striped bass, bluefish, flounder, and sea trout, though this can vary. Monthly prizes might include tackle, gift certificates to local shops, or merchandise branded with the tournament logo.
The grand prize structure rewards anglers who fish consistently across the season. Your best catch in each species category counts toward a season-long ranking. An angler who lands one very large fish in June and then fishes steadily through September might place higher in the grand prizes than someone who catches one giant fish and then stops fishing.
Prize details — the exact species, the prize amounts, and how ties are broken — are posted on the Division's website when registration opens. Read the current rules before you start fishing, because the structure can shift from year to year based on funding and participation.
Fishing Regulations You Must Follow
The tournament does not replace Delaware's fishing regulations. You must follow all size limits, bag limits, and seasonal closures that apply to each species. If a species is closed to harvest during part of the tournament season, you cannot weigh in fish from that period, even if you caught them legally under a different regulation.
Size limits vary by species. Striped bass have a minimum size, bluefish have both a minimum and maximum, and flounder have a minimum. These limits change periodically, so check the Division's current regulations before you fish. If you weigh in a fish that does not meet the size requirement, the weigh station staff will not record it, and you will not receive credit.
You also cannot fish in closed areas or use prohibited methods. Some sections of Delaware Bay and certain tidal rivers have seasonal closures or gear restrictions. The Division publishes a map of these areas each year. Fishing during a closure or using a prohibited method can result in a citation, and any fish caught that way will not count in the tournament.
Tips for Competing Successfully
Fish the peak season for each species. Striped bass are most active in June and September when water temperatures are moderate. Bluefish run hard in July and August. Flounder bite best in late summer and early fall. If you target the right species at the right time, you increase your chances of landing a large fish.
Fish near structure — jetties, pilings, drop-offs, and wrecks — where larger fish tend to hold. Smaller fish scatter in open water, but the fish worth weighing in usually stay close to cover. Local tackle shops can tell you where structure is located and what is biting there right now.
Keep your fish in good condition from the moment you land it. A fish that has been handled roughly or left in the sun will weigh less than one that was kept cool and wet. Use a net to land the fish, keep it on ice immediately, and minimize air exposure. A well-cared-for fish can mean the difference between first place and second.
Fish multiple times throughout the season. The monthly divisions mean you have four separate chances to win, and the grand prize structure rewards consistency. Even if you do not land a giant fish, steady fishing across the summer gives you more opportunities than a single trip.
Community Events and Weigh-In Celebrations
Some weigh stations host informal gatherings when anglers bring in their catches, especially on weekends and during peak fishing times. These are not formal events, but they are good places to meet other tournament fishers, see what is being caught, and learn what techniques are working. Tackle shop staff and other anglers often share information about where fish are biting and what bait or lures are producing.
The Division sometimes organizes a season-ending celebration or awards ceremony in October, though this varies by year. Check their website or call ahead to see if a gathering is planned. These events are open to all tournament participants and are a good way to celebrate the season and connect with the fishing community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to fish from a boat, or can I fish from shore?
You can fish from shore, a public pier, a private boat, or a charter boat. The tournament accepts fish caught from any legal fishing location in Delaware waters. Shore fishing and pier fishing are often productive and require only a saltwater license, not a boat.
What if I catch a fish that is too small to keep?
If a fish does not meet the size limit for its species, you must release it immediately. You cannot weigh it in, and keeping it is illegal. The weigh station staff will not record undersized fish, so there is no benefit to bringing one in.
Can I fish in other states and weigh the fish in Delaware?
No. The tournament only accepts fish caught in Delaware waters. Fish caught in Maryland, New Jersey, or federal waters do not count, even if you weigh them at a Delaware station. The Division records the catch location as part of the entry.
What happens if I catch a really large fish but cannot get to a weigh station before it closes?
Keep the fish on ice overnight and bring it to the weigh station the next day before closing time. The Division records the date you caught it, not the date you weighed it, so you will receive credit for the correct day. Just make sure the fish stays cold and fresh.
Is there a limit to how many fish I can weigh in each month?
The tournament rules vary by year, but typically you can weigh in multiple fish per month. Only your heaviest fish in each species counts toward the monthly prize, and only your best catch in each species counts toward the grand prize. Check the current rules on the Division's website to confirm the exact structure for this year.