Delaware River · New Jersey · Pennsylvania · New York · Stripers
Delaware River Stripers Fishing Regulations 2026
Delaware River stripers season runs Mar 1 – Dec 31 in 2026. Statewide rules: 1, slot 28″–31″. Sourced from DEP Fish & Wildlife / Fish & Boat Commission / DEC.
Rules (129)
New Jersey (47)
Atlantic Ocean
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 31"
- Gear
- Gaff Prohibited
1 fish bag limit for Atlantic Ocean (0–3 nautical miles from shore) 28"-31" size requirement for Atlantic Ocean (0–3 nautical miles from shore) 28"-31" size range specified for 0–3 nautical miles zone It is illegal to gaff or attempt to gaff, any striped bass at any time
Delaware River (Downstream Of Calhoun St. Bridge)In season
- Season opens
- Jun 1
- Season opens
- Jun 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
Delaware River (Upstream Of Calhoun St. Bridge)In season
- Season opens
- Mar 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
Delaware River & TributariesIn season
- Season opens
- May 15
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/permit
- Min size
- 24"
- Max size
- 28"
Anglers participating in the Striped Bass Bonus Program may harvest one striped bass per permit at 24" to less than 28" in length from May 15 to December 31.
Delaware River & Tributaries (Calhoun St. Bridge To Salem River & Tributaries)Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- Jun 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Possession
- 1
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
Anglers participating in the Striped Bass Bonus Program may harvest one striped bass per permit at 24" to less than 28" in length from May 15 to December 31.
Delaware River & Tributaries (Upstream Of Calhoun St. Bridge)In season
- Season opens
- Mar 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/person
- Possession
- 1
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
- Gear
- Angling Only
by angling with a hook and line or by spear fishing
Great Egg Harbor RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
State Record: 51 lbs. 0 oz.
New Jersey's Marine Waters
- Season opens
- May 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/permit
- Min size
- 24"
- Max size
- 28"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Bonus permit program Only one fish can be harvested per permit Bonus permit required; less than 28 inches Bonus permit required; 24 inches to less than 28 inches Does not apply to artificial lures with bait attached
New Jersey statewideIn season
- Season opens
- Mar 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
- Gear
- Circle Hook
Non-offset (inline) circle hooks must be used when fishing for striped bass with bait.
Pennsylvania (53)
Conowingo Reservoir Up To Holtwood DamOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 18"
Delaware RiverIn season
- Season opens
- Jun 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 31"
Jan. 1 through March 31 and June 1 through Dec. 31 28 to less than 31
Delaware River - Calhoun Street Bridge Upstream
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Delaware River - Pa State Line To Calhoun Street Bridge
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
April 1 - May 31 Apr 1–May 31
Delaware River Calhoun Street Bridge Upstream (Slot: 28 To Less Than 31 Inches)
- Min size
- 28"
Delaware River Estuary
- Gear
- No Gaff
It is unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any Striped Bass at any time when fishing.
Delaware River From Calhoun Street Bridge UpstreamOpen
- Status
- Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
- Slot max
- 31"
open year-round less than 31 inches
Delaware River From The Pennsylvania State Line Upstream To Calhoun Street BridgeOut of season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- May 31
- Season closes
- May 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 22"
- Slot min
- 22"
- Slot max
- 26"
- Slot max
- 26"
less than 26 inches
Delaware River Pa State Line To Calhoun Street Bridge
- Min size
- 22"
Apr 1-May 31 (Slot: 22 To Less Than 26 Inches)
Delaware River Pa State Line To Calhoun Street Bridge (Slot: 28 To Less Than 31 Inches)
- Min size
- 28"
Delaware River Pa State Line To Calhoun Street Bridge,
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Apr 1-May 31
From Calhoun Street Bridge UpstreamOpen
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
open year-round less than 31 inches
From The Pennsylvania State Line Upstream To Calhoun Street BridgeOut of season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- May 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 22"
- Slot max
- 26"
less than 26 inches
Hunters Lake — Commonwealth Inland Waters
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day combined
The Portion Of The Delaware River Between New York And PennsylvaniaIn season
- Season opens
- Jun 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 31"
Jan. 1 through March 31 and June 1 through Dec. 31 28 to less than 31
Pennsylvania statewide
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
Conowingo Reservoir (Combined With Hybrids)
New York (29)
Delaware River & Wes (Ny/Pa Border Water)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 35"
From The Battery To The Troy Dam, And All Tributaries Upstream To The 1st Barrier Impassable By Fish
- Gear
- Non Offset Circle Hooks
Non-offset (in-line) circle hooks must be used when recreationally fishing for striped bass using bait
Hudson RiverIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 15
- Season closes
- Dec 15
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
April 15 - Dec 15 Slot size: 28" - 31"
Hudson River (North Of George Washington Bridge)
- Slot min
- 23"
- Slot max
- 28"
Marine Waters (South Of George Washington Bridge & Delaware River)
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
North Of George Washington BridgeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Nov 30
- Daily bag
- 1
not less than 18” nor greater than 28”
Tidal Hudson River North Of The George Washington Bridge And All Tributaries Upstream To The 1st Impassable Barrier To FishClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Nov 30
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 28"
Fishing for Striped Bass (including catch and release) is prohibited from December 1 through March 31 in the Hudson River above the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
TributariesClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Nov 30
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 28"
Fishing for Striped Bass (including catch and release) is prohibited from December 1 through April 1–Nov 30 Daily Limit-1 not less than 18" greater than 28"
Also known as
Rules above match the following common names in our regulations database: Striped Bass, Striped Bass Or Hybrid Striped Bass, Striped Bass Hybrids, Hybrid Striped Bass, Striped Bass And Hybrid Striped Bass.
Frequently asked questions
When is Stripers season on Delaware River?
Stripers season on Delaware River runs from Jun 1 to Dec 31 (varies by state) per DEP Fish & Wildlife / Fish & Boat Commission / DEC.
What is the size limit for Stripers on Delaware River?
Minimum size for Stripers on Delaware River is 28 inches in Atlantic Ocean. Slot or maximum sizes may apply elsewhere on the water; see the table above.
What is the daily bag limit for Stripers on Delaware River?
Daily bag limit for Stripers on Delaware River is 1 fish in Atlantic Ocean.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.