Cast a Line at Cape Henlopen State Park

A trip to the Delaware Beaches offers plenty of opportunities for a fishing excursion. Anglers have their choice of fishing from a boat, in the surf, or off a pier. When you want to fish in Rehoboth Beach or Lewes, head to Cape Henlopen State Park.

Compiled By Chris Murphy

Fishing at Cape Henlopen State Park

Cape Henlopen State Park offers anglers both saltwater and surf fishing.

The Fishing Pier

The iconic, historic pier provides access to the Delaware Bay. Originally constructed in 1942 as part of the Fort Miles military installation, the 84-year-old structure has undergone structural changes over time due to intense coastal winters and saltwater environment wear. Following structural inspections, the state implemented updated safety fencing to restrict access to deteriorating sections closer to the end, slightly shortening the walkable portion of the pier. However, the pier remains open for the season!

Breakwater Tackle, the bait and tackle shop located right off the pier, is open from April 1 through Oct. 31. It remains the perfect hub to find all of your fishing necessities, pick up snacks, or check on what’s biting. Anglers frequently land keeper flounder, bluefish, and striped bass right from the pilings.

Surf Fishing & Drive-On Rules

Surf fishing is popular year-round at Cape Henlopen State Park, which sits right along the Atlantic Ocean. Dune crossovers allow both vehicles and pedestrians to get to designated beach fishing areas. To drive on the beach, a valid Surf Fishing Vehicle Permit is required, and all permit holders are required to watch an educational surf fishing safety video before heading out.

Important Peak Season Changes: If you plan to drive onto the beach during peak summer weekends or holidays (from late May through Labor Day), advanced reservations are required between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for Cape Henlopen’s drive-on multi-use beaches, including Gordons Pond, Herring Point, Navy Crossing, and Point Crossing. Reservations open weekly on a rolling basis (Tuesdays for Saturdays, Wednesdays for Sundays, and Thursdays for holidays).

Additionally, note that while Off-Peak Surf Fishing Permits are still available, the state has announced they will be officially discontinued starting in 2027. Off-Peak permits do not allow weekend or holiday drive-on access.

Nature Preserves & Local Catch

A portion of the beachfront at the nearby Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve also permits drive-on surf fishing (and notably does not require the weekend reservation system, though a standard surf permit is still mandatory). However, much of the preserve remains strictly off-limits to pedestrians to protect fragile coastal ecosystems and nesting shorebirds.

When fishing at Cape Henlopen State Park, anglers have reeled in an impressive variety of species, including croaker, spot, weakfish, snapper bluefish, striped bass, porgies, pinfish, sand perch, dogfish, flounder, and even small cobia.

Click here to read more about fishing rules and permit reservations at Cape Henlopen State Park.

Click here to read more about fishing at Cape Henlopen State Park.