Fishing in the Delaware River Region
Explore fishing in the Delaware River Region of New Jersey. Delaware River, Delaware Bay, Salem River, Cohansey River, M
The upper Delaware River forms the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border for 150 miles from the Water Gap to Trenton, offering world-class smallmouth bass and American shad fishing with diverse public access.
1. Delaware River (Upper)
Delaware River, Warren/Hunterdon countiesThe tidal Delaware River from Trenton to the bay offers excellent striped bass and white perch fishing with urban access in Philadelphia-area waterfront parks.
Boat Launch: Lehigh River Easton Access →
2. Delaware Bay (Striped Bass, Weakfish, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Drum, Tautog, Winter Flounder, Crabs)
Delaware Bay, Cumberland/Cape May countiesDelaware Bay offers world-class striped bass fishing in spring and excellent crabbing in summer, with shoreline access at multiple wildlife management areas and the Cape May peninsula.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
3. Salem River (Striped Bass, White Perch, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Fallfish)
Salem River, Salem CountyThe Salem River flows 25 miles through Salem County offering both fresh and tidal fishing for warmwater and anadromous species with access at multiple county parks.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Catfish · Limit: No limit
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
4. Cohansey River (Striped Bass, White Perch, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Crappie, Yellow Perch, Bluegill)
Cohansey River, Cumberland CountyThe Cohansey River offers excellent tidal and freshwater fishing in Cumberland County with public access at Greenwich and Bridgeton.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
5. Maurice River (tidal)
Maurice River, Cumberland CountyThe tidal Maurice River flows through the Heislerville Wildlife Management Area offering excellent brackish fishing for striped bass and white perch.
6. Raccoon Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill)
Raccoon Creek, Gloucester CountyRaccoon Creek is a tidal tributary of the Delaware River in Gloucester County offering good fishing in the Swedesboro area.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Catfish · Limit: No limit
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
7. Oldmans Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill)
Oldmans Creek, Salem CountyOldmans Creek offers good fishing in the tidal Delaware River watershed line.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Catfish · Limit: No limit
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
8. Alloway Creek (tidal)
Alloway Creek, Salem CountyAlloway Creek offers good tidal and freshwater fishing in the Salem County marshlands.
9. Stow Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Chain Pickerel)
Stow Creek, Cumberland CountyStow Creek is a tidal creek offering good fishing in the Cumberland County marshlands.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Catfish · Limit: No limit
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
10. Mad Horse Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Weakfish, Bluefish)
Mad Horse Creek, Cumberland CountyMad Horse Creek in the Mad Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area offers excellent tidal fishing in the Delaware Bay marshland.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
11. Dennis Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Weakfish, Bluefish, Fluke, Crabs)
Dennis Creek, Cape May CountyDennis Creek is a major tidal creek in Cape May County offering excellent fishing in the Delaware Bay watershed.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Bidwell Creek | A Haven Marina Resort →
12. Bidwell Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Bluefish, Fluke)
Bidwell Creek, Cape May CountyBidwell Creek offers good tidal fishing in the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge area.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Bidwell Creek | A Haven Marina Resort →
13. East Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Bluefish, Crabs)
East Creek, Cape May CountyEast Creek in the East Creek Wildlife Management Area offers good Delaware Bay fishing access.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Keyport Yacht Club →
14. Nantuxent Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Weakfish, Bluefish)
Nantuxent Creek, Cumberland CountyNantuxent Creek offers good tidal fishing in the Delaware Bay marshlands of Cumberland County.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
15. Fortescue Creek (Striped Bass, Weakfish, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Drum, Crabs)
Fortescue Creek, Cumberland CountyFortescue Creek is a historic fishing destination in the Delaware Bay town of Fortescue, famous for spring striped bass fishing.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
16. Dividing Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Weakfish, Bluefish)
Dividing Creek, Cumberland CountyDividing Creek offers good tidal fishing in the Delaware Bay watershed.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
17. Oranoaken Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Weakfish, Bluefish)
Oranoaken Creek, Cumberland CountyOranoaken Creek offers good fishing in the marshlands of Cumberland County's Delaware Bay coast.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
18. Back Creek (Cumberland Co.)
Back Creek, Cumberland CountyBack Creek offers good tidal fishing access in the Cumberland County Delaware Bay marshes.
Boat Launch: Capital City Yacht Club →
19. Cohansey Point (Striped Bass, Weakfish, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Drum, Tautog)
Cohansey Point, Cumberland CountyCohansey Point at the mouth of the Cohansey River offers excellent Delaware Bay fishing from shore and boat.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
20. Sea Breeze (Striped Bass, Weakfish, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Drum, Crabs)
Sea Breeze, Cumberland CountySea Breeze is a historic fishing community on the Delaware Bay offering excellent shore fishing for striped bass and weakfish.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
21. Bayside (Cumberland Co.)
Bayside, Cumberland CountyBayside offers good Delaware Bay shore fishing access in Cumberland County.
22. Gandy's Beach (Striped Bass, Weakfish, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Drum, Tautog)
Gandy's Beach, Cumberland CountyGandy's Beach offers excellent Delaware Bay surf fishing with public access at the Gandy's Beach Preserve.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
23. Moore's Beach (Striped Bass, Weakfish, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Drum, Winter Flounder)
Moore's Beach, Cumberland CountyMoore's Beach offers good shore fishing on the Delaware Bay in Cumberland County.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
Boat Launch: Bluewater Boat Ramp →
24. Finn's Point (Striped Bass, White Perch, Channel Catfish, Carp, Crappie)
Finn's Point, Salem CountyFinn's Point in the Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge offers good fishing in the tidal Delaware River.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Catfish · Limit: No limit
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
25. Artificial Island (Striped Bass, White Perch, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Crappie)
Artificial Island, Salem CountyArtificial Island in the Delaware River offers good fishing in the vicinity of the nuclear generating station warmwater discharge.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Catfish · Limit: No limit
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Artificial Island →
26. Hope Creek (Striped Bass, White Perch, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass)
Hope Creek, Salem CountyHope Creek offers good tidal fishing in Salem County.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Catfish · Limit: No limit
27. Deepwater Bridge (White Perch, Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, Crappie, Carp)
Deepwater Bridge, Salem CountyThe Deepwater Bridge area on the Salem River offers good fishing access.
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Catfish · Limit: No limit
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
28. Pennsville Marina (Striped Bass, White Perch, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Carp)
Pennsville Marina, Salem CountyPennsville Marina on the Delaware River offers good fishing access with a boat ramp and pier.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Catfish · Limit: No limit
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
29. Fort Mott State Park (Striped Bass, White Perch, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass)
Fort Mott State Park, Salem CountyFort Mott State Park on the Delaware River offers good fishing with a historic fort setting and shoreline access.
- Striped bass (freshwater) · Limit: 1 per day · 28-31 in slot (marine regs apply)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Catfish · Limit: No limit
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Fort DuPont Public Boat Ramp →
30. Parvin State Park (Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish)
Parvin State Park, Salem CountyParvin State Park offers excellent freshwater fishing in its 115-acre lake and connecting waters in the Alloway Creek watershed.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Catfish · Limit: No limit
31. Lake Elmer (Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Sunfish)
Lake Elmer, Salem CountyLake Elmer in the Parvin State Park area offers good warmwater fishing in Salem County.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Public boat ramp →
32. Willow Grove Lake (Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Crappie, Bluegill, Sunfish)
Willow Grove Lake, Salem CountyWillow Grove Lake offers good freshwater fishing in the Salem County Pine Barrens transition zone.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
33. Daretown Lake (Salem Co.)
Daretown Lake, Salem CountyDaretown Lake in Upper Pittsgrove offers good warmwater fishing in the Salem County agricultural region.
Boat Launch: Public boat ramp →
34. Oakwood Lake (Salem Co.)
Oakwood Lake, Salem CountyOakwood Lake in Salem County offers good community fishing.
35. Lake Mary (Salem Co.)
Lake Mary, Salem CountyLake Mary in Salem County offers good family fishing in a small lake setting.
36. Schadler's Pond (Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Crappie, Bluegill, Sunfish)
Schadler's Pond, Salem CountySchadler's Pond in Salem County offers good warmwater fishing in a small pond.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Schadler's Pond →
37. Auburn Lake (Salem Co.)
Auburn Lake, Salem CountyAuburn Lake offers good fishing in the Oldmans Creek watershed of Salem County.
38. Swedesboro Lake (Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Crappie, Bluegill, Sunfish)
Swedesboro Lake, Gloucester CountySwedesboro Lake offers good community fishing in the Raccoon Creek watershed.
- Chain pickerel · Limit: 5
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
- Panfish (bluegill, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch) · Limit: 50 combined (some waters 25)
Boat Launch: Swedesboro Lake →
39. Harmony Pond (Salem Co.)
Harmony Pond, Salem CountyHarmony Pond offers good freshwater fishing in the Harmony area of Salem County.
Fishing Tips for the Delaware River Region
- Get a licence — All anglers need a valid state fishing licence — check your state's wildlife agency site.
- Check the weather & water conditions — always check forecasts and wind before heading out, especially on big water.
- Know the regulations — size and catch limits vary by water body in New Jersey; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Delaware River Region waters fish best in spring and fall.
- Use the right gear — match your rod, line, and tackle to the species you're chasing and the water you're fishing.
More Regions in New Jersey
- Central Jersey & Shore
- Fishing at the Jersey Shore Bays & Inlets
- North Jersey & Highlands
- Pine Barrens & South Jersey
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