What special fishing regulations apply at Trap Pond?

Trap Pond carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Delaware's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass and Chain pickerel. One of them reads: "90-acre — Sussex County state park; largemouth bass 12 in min + 6 / day; chain pickerel 15 in min + 5 / day; crappie + bluegill panfish; bald cypress swamp habitat (northernmost natural stand of Taxodium distichum in US)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Trap Pond?

Yes. Trap Pond is in Delaware, so a valid Delaware fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC) — Division of Fish & Wildlife. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Trap Pond; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Delaware rules.

Do Trap Pond's special rules replace Delaware's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Delaware's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Trap Pond by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Trap Pond?

Largemouth bass and Chain pickerel have a water-body-specific rule on Trap Pond, each linking to its full Delaware regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Delaware limits.

2026 regulation year

Trap Pond 2026 — Delaware Fishing Regulations

Delaware statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Trap Pond carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of Delaware's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass, Chain pickerel. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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Watch Trap Pond (DE) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

90-acre — Sussex County state park; largemouth bass 12 in min + 6 / day; chain pickerel 15 in min + 5 / day; crappie + bluegill panfish; bald cypress swamp habitat (northernmost natural stand of Taxodium distichum in US)
Source: Delaware special-water list

Per-species rules on Trap Pond

Largemouth bass regulations →
12 in min, 6 / day combined; bald cypress swamp habitat — northernmost natural stand of Taxodium distichum in US
Chain pickerel regulations →
No size limit, no creel limit; Sussex County bald-cypress swamp — classic trophy pickerel habitat (northernmost natural Taxodium stand in US)

Official source

Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC) — Division of Fish & Wildlife publishes the authoritative 2026 Delaware fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Delaware fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control's emergency-order feed — check it before any Delaware trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Delaware

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Trap Pond?: Trap Pond carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Delaware's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass and Chain pickerel. One of them reads: "90-acre — Sussex County state park; largemouth bass 12 in min + 6 / day; chain pickerel 15 in min + 5 / day; crappie + bluegill panfish; bald cypress swamp habitat (northernmost natural stand of Taxodium distichum in US)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Trap Pond?: Yes. Trap Pond is in Delaware, so a valid Delaware fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC) — Division of Fish & Wildlife. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Trap Pond; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Delaware rules.
Do Trap Pond's special rules replace Delaware's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Delaware's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Trap Pond by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Trap Pond?: Largemouth bass and Chain pickerel have a water-body-specific rule on Trap Pond, each linking to its full Delaware regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Delaware limits.

← Back to Delaware regulations overview