DIY Fly Fishing GuideDestinations map

Fly Fishing in Delaware

25 featured rivers, lakes and streams in Delaware, each with target species, a hatch chart and a map of nearby access.

Appoquinimink River (Common Carp, Striped Bass)
Characterized by its marshy banks, this river is a great spot to target carp and striped bass on the fly.
Beaver Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
A small, intimate tributary of the Brandywine known for its cool canopy and stocked rainbow trout in the early season.
Becks Pond (Bluegill, Largemouth Bass)
Highly accessible suburban pond with a surprisingly robust population of panfish and bass for topwater action.
Blackbird Creek (White Perch, Largemouth Bass)
A remote, winding tidal creek offering a peaceful experience for fly anglers targeting perch and bass in the marshes.
Brandywine Creek (Wilmington) (Smallmouth Bass, American Shad, Striped Bass)
A large, powerful waterway offering excellent smallmouth bass action and seasonal runs of American Shad.
Broadkill River (Striped Bass, White Perch)
A tidal river that offers exciting opportunities for striped bass on flies near the Milton area.
Christina River (Headwaters) (Largemouth Bass, Bluegill)
Slow-moving and scenic, these upper reaches are perfect for targeting largemouth bass and sunfish with poppers.
Hoopes Reservoir (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass)
Deep, cool waters that provide a unique habitat for large predatory fish; restricted access keeps pressure low.
Killens Pond (Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill)
Located in central Delaware, this pond offers excellent kayak fly fishing for chain pickerel and aggressive panfish.
Lums Pond (Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Chain Pickerel)
The largest freshwater pond in Delaware, offering extensive shoreline access for targeting trophy largemouth bass and crappie.
Marshyhope Creek (Hickory Shad, Largemouth Bass)
The only Delaware tributary where Hickory Shad are known to spawn; a fantastic light-tackle fly destination.
Mill Creek (Rainbow Trout)
A lesser-known stocked trout stream providing a quiet atmosphere and technical pocket water fishing.
Millsboro Pond (Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass)
This headwater pond of the Indian River is a hotspot for slab crappie and largemouth bass on small streamers.
Mispillion River (Striped Bass, White Perch)
A tidal waterway near Milford where fly fishers can target striped bass near dock structures and bridge pilings.
Murderkill River (Largemouth Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch)
A sluggish, scenic river perfect for slow-stripping woolly buggers for largemouth and white perch.
Nanticoke River (Upper) (Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch)
This blackwater river offers a unique ecosystem for targeting chain pickerel and white perch on streamers.
Newton Pond (Largemouth Bass, Bluegill)
A restored borrow pit with crystal clear water, making it a rare Delaware sight-fishing destination for bass.
Pike Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
A suburban gem that receives spring stockings; it features deep holes that hold fish later into the season than expected.
Records Pond (Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass)
A shallow pond known for aggressive chain pickerel that will smash large streamer patterns throughout the year.
Red Clay Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
A technical trout stream with varying currents and rocky substrates that requires precise casting and stealth.
St. Jones River (Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Carp)
Running through Dover, this river offers diverse fishing from freshwater species to brackish migrants.
Tidbury Pond (Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass)
A small, easily accessible pond perfect for beginners practicing their backcast while targeting stocked trout in winter.
Trap Pond (Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Chain Pickerel)
Famous for its bald cypress trees, this pond provides an ethereal backdrop for fly fishing for huge bluegill and bass.
White Clay Creek (Main Stem) (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Delaware's premier trout stream, stocked heavily in the spring and offering beautiful riffle-and-run sections through a protected state park.
Wilson Creek (Rainbow Trout)
A tiny, overgrown stream that offers a true challenge for the small-stream enthusiast seeking wild-behaving stocked fish.

Fly Fishing in Delaware

Fly Fishing in Other States