Open 24Hours/DayAll Year

Closed toBeachVehicles

Bird NestingArea

Air PumpingStation

GuardedSwimmingBeach

Beach VehicleCrossingOpen 24Hours/Day

Legend

Surfing Beach

YorkBeach

Crossing

MiddleBeach

Crossing

SouthBeach

Crossing

AssawomanRecreation

Area

LittleAssawoman

Bay

AtlanticOcean

Boat Rental

Potential closure whennesting birds are present

Closed toBeachVehicles

Bird NestingArea

Air PumpingStation

GuardedSwimmingBeach

Beach VehicleCrossingOpen 8:00amto Sunset

Beach VehicleCrossingOpen 24Hours/Day

Surfing Beach

Tower BayEntrance

New RoadEntrance

Key BoxRoad

Entrance

ConquestRoad

Crossing

FaithfulStewardCrossing

SavagesDitch

3 R'sCrossing

RehobothBay

Atl

an

tic

Oc

ea

n

Indian River Inlet

Burton IslandNature

Preserve

Mar 1 - Dec 31

Open 24Hours/DayAll Year

Legend

Potential closure whennesting birds are present

Beach PlumIsland

Crossing

De

lawa

r eB

ay

RooseveltInlet

Bro

adkill R

iver

BroadkillBeach

BayshoreDrive

Closed toBeachVehicles

Open 24Hours/DayMar 1 - Dec 31Closed to VehiclesJan 1 - Feb 28

Bird NestingArea

Air PumpingStation

Beach VehicleCrossing

Be

ach

Plu

mIsla

nd

Legend

The beach along BeachPlum Island is very narrow.

High tides tend to rise to thetoe of the dune.

Beach Plum Island Preserveis one of the last stretches ofundeveloped barrier island in

Delaware. Hunting and disturbance of wildlife orvegetation is prohibited.

Pedestrians are prohibited inthe southern portion of theisland also closed to beach

vehicles.

Potential closure whennesting birds are present

DELAWARE STATE PARKS SURF FISHING PROGRAM

BEACH ACCESS RULES AND

REGULATIONS

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

CAPE HENLOPENSTATE PARK

BEACH PLUM ISLANDNATURE PRESERVE

DELAWARE SEASHORESTATE PARK

15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958(302) 645-8983

Administered by Cape Henlopen State Park 39415 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971(302) 227-2800

Administered by Delaware Seashore State Park

FENWICK ISLANDSTATE PARK

LEGEND

LEGENDLEGEND

NavyCrossing

Cape HenlopenState Park

PointCrossing

GordonsPond

Crossing

Bathhouse

DelawareBay

FishingPier

Herring Point

Crossing

Open 24Hours/DayAll Year

Open Sunsetto 8:00amMay 1 - Sep 30Open 24Hours/DayOct 1 - Apr 30

Closed - BirdNesting AreaMar 1 - LaborDay WeekendOpen 24Hours/DaySep 1 - Feb 28

Closed toBeachVehicles

Bird NestingArea

Air PumpingStation

GuardedSwimmingBeach

Beach VehicleCrossingOpen8:00am toSunset

He

rrin

gP

oi n

t

Beach VehicleCrossingOpen 24Hours/Day

Legend

Potential closure whennesting birds are present

LEGEND

• Surf fishing vehicle permits are issued for thecalendar year. They allow vehicles to accessdesignated beaches at Cape Henlopen,Delaware Seashore and Fenwick Island StateParks and Beach Plum Island Nature Preservefor the sole purpose of surf fishing.

• A surf fishing permit is valid only for two-axlevehicles that are licensed and registered tooperate on public highways.

• The surf fishing vehicle plate and currentsticker must be properly displayed on thevehicle for which the permit was issued andshall be affixed prior to operation on the beach.

• Operating a vehicle without a current surffishing vehicle permit and plate on state parkbeach areas or dune crossings is prohibited.

• Driving on swimming and surfboardingbeaches during summer season day-use hoursis not permitted. The permit does not give theright to access other state or private beachesnot owned or administered by the Division ofParks and Recreation.

• The owner’s copy of the permit receipt shallbe available for inspection at all times whenthe vehicle is being operated on beach areas.

• Loaning a surf fishing vehicle permit or plate, or using or attempting to use a surf fishing vehiclepermit or plate on any vehicle other than the one it was assigned to is prohibited. In addition toother actions that may be taken, the permit and plate will be confiscated and held as evidence.

• Vehicle use on the designated beaches isrestricted to persons actively engaged in surffishing. Operation of a permitted surf fishingvehicle on the beaches administered by theDivision for reasons other than traveling toand from fishing areas for the express purposeof surf fishing is prohibited.

• “Actively engaged in surf fishing” means aperson is taking all reasonable and necessaryactions to maximize the probability of hookingand landing game fish by rod, reel and lineattached to a baited rig, artificial lure orartificial fly. Persons are also actively engagedin surf fishing when they are within 50 feetof their fishing equipment and are tending,casting and recasting their fishing equipment.

• Any permitted surf fishing vehicle parkedfor any period of time on state park beacheswithout one or more persons who arrived inthat vehicle being actively engaged in surffishing is prohibited.

• The use or operation of any vehiclewhatsoever on, over, or across state park sanddunes is expressly prohibited, except whendisplaying a valid Delaware surf fishing vehiclepermit and crossing dunes at authorizeddune crossings, which are designated andmaintained for that purpose.

• No vehicle shall be driven through, over orupon any beach area that has been posted asan endangered and/or protected species birdnesting area

• The use of mechanically-propelled bait or linecasters is prohibited on all surf fishing beaches.

• The surf fishing vehicle permit serves as the vehicle operator’s fishing license when fishing in designated Delaware State Park surf fishingareas. Other anglers must have valid fishinglicenses issued by the Delaware Division ofFish and Wildlife. In addition, a Fishermen’sInformation Network (FIN) number is requiredto fish in Delaware waters. FINs are available atdelaware-fin.com/registerfin.asp or by calling 1-800-432-9228.

• Dogs are allowed in all surf fishing vehicleareas, but must be under control and on aleash not to exceed six feet in length.

• In addition to giving access to designated beach areas, the surf fishing permit also allows freeentry to day areas in most Delaware State Parks.

• The Carry-In, Carry-Out program is in effect inall surf fishing areas. Trash receptacles are notprovided, remove all of your trash and disposeof fishing line properly.

• Surf fishing areas are subject to closure at any time in the event of weather conditions (high tides, coastal storms, etc.). Surf fishing vehicleareas may be limited or closed when such action is deemed necessary for property management,protection of flora, fauna and their habitats, or when it is in the best interest of the health, safety,and general welfare of visitors.

• In order to protect fragile plants and grassesthat stabilize the dunes, and to leavenesting or fledging shorebirds undisturbed,people, pets and vehicles are not allowedon the dunes or in bird nesting areas. Onlydesignated crossings may be used to cross thedunes. Violations are subject to fines.

• Designated surf fishing beaches are open forother recreational activities. Caution must beexercised when sharing the beach.

• The beach ecosystem is very important and must be protected. Any damage done to the dunes should be reported to the nearest park employee.

About Your Surf Fishing Permit

Driving on State Park Beaches

Surf Fishing Safety

Other Important Information

Beach Access

Dune CrossingsDunes are a fragile resource that provide important habitat for a host of plants and animals and protect the coastline during severe storms. While dunes and the plants and animals found there usually survive storms, they are easily damaged by the harmful impact of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The dunes are protected by law, and access across is strictly limited to designated crossings. Use of the beach is strictly limited to the seaward toe of the dune down to the high tide line.

Bird Nesting AreasWhen nesting is identified along beaches, areas may be closed to all traffic, including vehicles, pedestrians and pets.

Official state park regulations are located at regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title7/9000. Permit regulations are strictly enforced.

• Surf fishing vehicles must be equipped witha shovel, jack, tow rope or chain, board orsimilar support for the jack, and a low pressuretire gauge when being operated on state parkbeaches.

• Operating any vehicle on any authorized dunecrossing or on any beach area at any speedthat is greater than is reasonable and prudentunder the conditions is prohibited. Vehiclesmust be operated with regard to existingand potential hazards, but never exceeding15 m.p.h. In every event, speed shall becontrolled and limited to that speed necessaryto maintain traction and steerage.

• The Division of Parks and Recreation shallhave the right to suspend surf fishing vehiclepermits for up to 90 days or to revokepermits for up to three years for conviction ofreckless operation of a surf fishing vehicle, foroperation of a surf fishing vehicle under theinfluence of alcoholic beverages and/or drugs,or for violations of these regulations.

Violations and Fines• Violation of the rules and regulations may

result in a fine of $50 to $250 for a firstoffense and $100 to $500 for a secondoffense. Violators will be cited and permitsmay be revoked if state park regulations arenot followed.

Division of Parks and Recreation89 Kings HighwayDover, DE 19901

The Department aof Natural Resources and Environmental Control is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the

diversity of its workforce

Typical Dune Cross-Section

Beach Vehicle Area — from seaward toe of the dune to the water line

DuneBeachVehicle

AreaAtlantic Ocean/Delaware Bay

Seaward Toe of the Dune

OMP-SurfFishingBrochure2020-withMaps-PrintFinal-BRO0220.indd