DNREC: Required Reservations for Five Most Popular Drive-on Surf Fishing Beaches Begin May 23rd

May 13, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has announced that reservations will be required beginning Saturday, May 23rd, for five of the most popular drive-on surf fishing beaches for weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. For the rest of DNREC’s surf fishing beaches, reservations will not be required in 2026, having initially been dropped in July 2025.

Reservations are required for select surf fishing beaches from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays in the summer. Reservations will open on May 19 at 11 a.m. for Saturday, May 23 reservations at Gordons Pond, Herring Point, Navy Crossing and Point Crossing in Cape Henlopen State Park and at 3R’s at Delaware Seashore State Park.

Inventory opens weekly on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for Saturday reservations and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. for Sunday reservations.

 

Additional Information from DNREC:

The 2026 holiday dates and reservation availability include:

  • Memorial Day (May 25), reservations available May 21 at 11 a.m.
  • Juneteenth (June 19), reservations available June 15 at 11 a.m.
  • Independence Day (observed on July 3), reservations available June 29 at 11 a.m.
  • Independence Day (July 4), reservations available June 30 at 11 a.m.
  • Labor Day (Sept. 7), reservations available Sept. 3 at 11 a.m.

Visit Delaware State Parks’ surf fishing webpage at Reserve America for more information and to make reservations when inventory is open. Reservations also can be made through the call center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, or from 8 a.m. to noon, on weekends and holidays at 1-800-499-8221.

 

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