Milford chronicle., 1960-05-20
Fishing News From
Game Commission

The weather has been generally
good for fishing activities in all
Delaware waters. Throughout the
crease in the number of sport fish
being taken.
Tidal streams leading inland
still head the list as areas of best
fishing for herring, perch, carp and
catfish. Herring, fish which has
reached peak popularity in the
State in recent years, are being
taken in large numbers in prac-
ticaIly all long tidal streams which
lead to- fresh water. During the
spring this fish is found as far in
land it is possible for him to go.
This is the spawning season for
herring and explains their long
migration to fresh water. In lower
Delware, around SeafOrd and Lau-
rel, the largest catches of herring
have been reported this week. One
of the common facts associated
with the herring is that it is re-
luctant to take a hook. These fish
are considered fine eating by many
and their roe is second only to
shad. They are found in large
schools and are caught by wide
variety of fishing equipment. The
most successful device is a wire
basket about four feet long, two
feet wide, mounted on long pole
and held directly in the path of the
unsuspecting herring.
Carp, perch and catfish are being
caught nearer the Bay and Della
ware River Fine catches of large
perch have been reported in the
Delaware City-Port Penn areas.
Founder and rock are not yet as
plentiful as the other species of
fish. However, a few of these fish
have been caught by anglers at
Indian River Inlet One catch re-
corded at the Inlet included Is
rock averaging one-half pound per
fish. Many other species of fish are
expected to make their appearance
in the coming weeks.
Shad Fishing ON the NanticOke--....
This past week members of the
Game and Fish Commission sur
veyed fishing activities on the Nan
ticoke River area. Catches of shad
are good. These fish are of nice
size ranging from three to five
pounds; a majority of them contain
large amounts of roe. The shad of
the Nanticoke are taken in drift
ing gill nets, ranging anywhere
from SO to $50 yards in length and
containing mesh size up to five and
one-half inches. These fish are
found in greate3t abundance on
falling tide either early in the
morning or In the evening. The
boat used by these river fishermen
is quite different from any seen in
other areas of the State. This shad
skiff, as it is. called, is long, mar
row craft ranging from 18 to about
20 feet in length, having width of
about four feet with approximately
IL inch freebOard. These Skiffs are
generally powered by OutbOard
motors and obtain speed as high
as 20 mph. The nets are drifted
down the river in a small bow
shape; then all that is needed is to
have a cooperative shad gill itself
in one of the many net meshes.
After gilling this beautiful fish it
is simpes process to boat the net
and remove he catch. Shad fishing
on the .Nanticoke is picturesque
sport and one enjoyed by many.
Fishermen and Gear %AiI Set" for
Big Summer Season
Fishing party boats at Bowers,
Mispillion Light House, Lewes and
Indian River Inlet are being pre-
pared for the fishing season. Many
rowboat liveries are also ready for
the fishing and grabbing seasons,
and it is the opinion of native wat
ermen that with the continuation
of warm weather both fish and
crabs will be on the move very
soon.
On the commercial fishing scene,
we find that our gill net fishermen
fishing for shad and rock have al
most completed their season. In the
past week there has been large
increase in the number of trash or
undesirable fish such as "Bunkers"
(Menhaden) making it impossible
to properly fish gill nets. The
large majority of the net fishermen
have altered their nets and are anx-
iously awaiting the arrival of
trout
Speaking of nice fish, there have
been rock fish reported weighing
as high as 80 pounds caught in gill
nets. These fish are returned to the
waters in accordance with the 20
pound maximum legal limit on
rock fish caught by nets in Della
ware waters.