Posts Tagged ‘DNREC’
DNREC: Required Reservations for Five Most Popular Drive-on Surf Fishing Beaches Begin May 23rd
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…
Read MoreMariners Watch for Shoaling Hazard in Assawoman Bay Navigational Channel
DNREC has issued a warning notice for mariners navigating Assawoman Bay to use caution because of extreme shoaling hazards that have limited portions of the navigational channel – especially during low tide conditions. Severe shoaling has been identified near Marker 1 and Marker 5. Boaters are encouraged to proceed at slow, no-wake speeds and remain…
Read MoreDNREC Announces June 6 and 7 Will be Free Fishing Days in Delaware Waters
DNREC encourages Delawareans and visitors alike to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week (June 6th-14th) with two days of free fishing in the state Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th. On these two days anglers may fish, crab and clam in any Delaware waters without possessing a 2026 fishing license. The free fishing dates were…
Read MoreDNREC to Hold Community Meeting on Chronic Wasting Disease on May 13 in Laurel
There will be a community meeting on the recent detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Delaware’s white-tailed deer in Laurel on Wednesday, May 13th. DNREC invites the public to attend and get more information about CWD, ask questions and understand the state’s next steps. Also learn how the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s surveillance…
Read MoreDNREC & DPH Call for Heightened Tick Awareness in Delaware
As the warmer weather arrives, we’re spending more time outdoors. DNREC and the Delaware Division of Public Health remind you to take simple steps to avoid tick bites and reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme Disease. Ticks are active in Delaware year-round, not just in warmer months, and can be found in wooded,…
Read MoreFort Delaware Historical Marker to be Unveiled Saturday in Delaware City
As part of the 75th Anniversary of Delaware State Parks, an historical marker will be unveiled at 9:30 Saturday morning at Battery Park on Clinton Street in Delaware City to commemorate Fort Delaware. The marker commemorates the Fort’s role in the Civil War. Fort Delaware has helped to protect the ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington…
Read MoreDNREC Regulations Revised for Recreational Fishing for Black Sea Bass – Season to Open May 1
DNREC is revising the recreational fishing state regulations for black sea bass to reflect a greater abundance of that species for anglers to catch – but warn that federal regulations may or may not change to match the state regulations by the time the season opens on May 1st. The 2026 and 2027 changes reduce…
Read MoreEarth Day Events on Wednesday – Sussex and Kent Counties
Celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday with hikes, cleanups, tree plantings and other programs at parks and public spaces throughout Delaware through DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation.  “Earth Day is an opportunity to celebrate the rich natural resources we have in the state of Delaware and contribute to efforts to maintain it for generations to…
Read MoreTown of Fenwick Island Warning Boaters about Very Shallow Bayside Waters
Fenwick Island officials are warning boaters to watch for very shallow water on the bayside. Officials say the main channel at the point at the Ditch has shoaled over with very shallow water (between Core 5 and 4 on the map). Small boats may be able to navigate there, but larger boats should be very…
Read MoreDNREC to Conduct Statewide Assessment of Wastewater Infrastructure in Manufactured Home Communities
DNREC has started a statewide assessment of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure conditions at manufactured home communities (MHCs) throughout the state. Many MHCs are in underserved communities and some systems are believed to be outdated, poorly maintained or in various stages of disrepair. Over 170 MHCs have been identified so far. The first phase of…
Read MoreDNREC Looking for Volunteers for Concord Pond Cleanup Sat, April 11
DNREC is looking for volunteers this Earth Month to help with this year’s clean up at Concord Pond near Seaford. The cleanup event will be Saturday, April 11 from 10am to Noon – and volunteers are asked to pre-register. Concord Pond is a popular fishing and boating location in the Deep Creek Watershed. Volunteers will…
Read MoreMosquito Control to Spray for Mosquito Larvae Downstate during Daylight Hours Wednesday
Weather permitting; the Delaware Mosquito Control Section plans the following insecticide application for mosquito larvae located in flooded forested wetland habitats. This application could take place during the daylight hours on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, via helicopter (registration numbers N2268W and/or N862W). Application of Vectobac12AS (liquid BTI) to control mosquito larvae in the following areas: In Woodside. Near Dagsboro, Fenwick…
Read MorePublic Hearing Set on Proposed Fish Measurement Regulation
DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. to gather input on a proposed regulation that would standardize how fish length is measured for Delaware fisheries. Officials say the change would ensure consistency across regulations and help the state remain in compliance with Atlantic…
Read MoreDNREC to Begin Mosquito Spraying Friday
Mosquito spraying will begin on Friday! Mosquito Control will begin spraying the woodland pools to control aquatic immature mosquitoes and continue into mid-April – weather permitting. Spraying begins in southern Sussex County and will expand into Kent and New Castle Counties over the next several weeks. Targeting the woodland pool larval mosquitoes limits the emergence…
Read MoreGov Meyer Proclaims This Week as “Flood Awareness Week”
Governor Matt Meyer has proclaimed March 16 to 20 as Delaware Flood Awareness Week. This is in conjunction with DNREC, DEMA and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security which want residents to be better informed about flood risk, the likelihood of flooding from extreme weather…
Read MoreDelaware State Parks Fee Season Begins Sunday, March 1
Beginning Sunday – it will once again cost you to enter a Delaware State Park! The 2026 parks fee season will be underway from March 1st through November 30th. This year is the 75th Anniversary of the Delaware State Parks system and DNREC says that it will be packed with special events, activities and opportunities…
Read MoreDNREC Announces March 7 Youth Trout Day; March 8 Downstate Season Opener
DNREC has announced that Delaware’s 2026 downstate pond trout season will open for youth anglers under age 16 only at 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 7th followed by the opening of the regular downstate trout season for all anglers a half-hour before sunrise on Sunday, March 8th. Fishing will be allowed on youth opening day from 7…
Read MoreUPDATED: DNREC Reopens Indian River Bay to Harvest of Bivalve Shellfish
UPDATED – 02/06/26 – DNREC has reopened the Indian River Bay to clamming and shellfish harvest after a mandatory 21-day closure that followed a Jan. 15 wastewater release from the town of Millsboro’s sewage system. The emergency closure was enforced by DNREC under National Shellfish Sanitation Program requirements when the sewage spill threatened to impact…
Read MoreDNREC Awards Record Improvement Grants for Local Parks
Nearly $2.2-million in matching grants — the largest in the program’s history — have been awarded by DNREC to help local and county governments acquire parkland, design and build parks and trails and construct outdoor recreational facilities. DNREC has awarded 18 grants from the Outdoor Recreation Parks and Trails (ORPT) Program – 10 for projects…
Read MoreUPDATED: MERR Performs Necropsy on Dead Whale Beached Near Bethany
UPDATED – 01/10/26 – A necropsy on the juvenile humpback whale that washed ashore near the Ocean Ridge community in Bethany Beach on Thursday found the 32-foot male whale had subdermal hemorrhaging and a broken jaw on the right side. Officials say this sort of injury is often associated with a large ship strike – and…
Read MoreDNREC Soliciting Project Proposals for Surface Water Matching Planning Grants
Delaware county and municipal governments, conservation districts and estuary programs can now submit proposals to DNREC to receive matching grants for their surface water project planning. Proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18th. Eligible projects include: Planning, preliminary engineering and feasibility analysis of surface water projects; stormwater retrofits; Green technology practices; Stream…
Read MoreNew Year’s Day First Day Hikes on Delmarva
Start the New Year off with First Day Hikes on January 1st. There are multiple locations where you can take a First Day Hike in both Delaware and Maryland – most hikes average 1 to 2.5 miles. You have your choice of self-guided hikes or ranger-led hikes. This is part of a nationwide initiative led…
Read MoreWhat to Recycle & What NOT to Recycle and Disposing of Live Christmas Trees
After your mountain of presents become a mountain of paper, ribbon and boxes – what do you do with all that waste? Some of it can go into your recycle bin – but not all of it. You can recycle wrapping paper, cards, envelopes, paper gift bags, cardboard boxes and paper gift boxes. You can…
Read MoreDNREC Urges Safe Handling of Wild Birds as Wildfowl Hunting Seasons Open
Waterfowl hunting season is reopening and DNREC officials remind hunters that safe handling of wild birds is imperative after the recent detection of avian influenza in a sick snow good that was found in eastern Kent County on December 8th and confirmed by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Lab on Monday. The final segment of…
Read MoreDNREC Names New Leaders to Delaware State Parks
There are several new leaders to Delaware State Parks. DNREC officials announced these recent appointments which include Jayce Madden as inland ponds regional administrator, Chris Pauley – superintendent of Delaware Seashore State Park and Lindsey Goebel – superintendent of Trap Pond State Park. Additional information from DNREC: Jayce Madden was promoted to inland ponds regional administrator…
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