DELAWARE — The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has started the sales of 2024 Delaware State Parks annual passes and surf fishing permits. The passes and permits became available for purchase on Tuesday, November 28.
Annual passes and surf fishing permits can be purchased at any state park office and DNREC’s Dover campus from Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Online purchases are also available at destateparks.com, with an estimated delivery timeframe of two to three weeks.
The annual pass costs $35 for Delaware residents and $70 for non-residents, providing unlimited access to state parks from March 1 to Nov. 30. Seniors receive a discounted rate, and special passes are available for Delawareans 65 and older, Delaware Military personnel, and those eligible for the Assistance Program Pass.
Firefighters and emergency medical technicians in Delaware can obtain an annual pass or surf fishing permit for free. However, they must first obtain an application from their fire company or the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association and submit the completed form to a state park office.
The daily advanced drive-on reservation program, piloted in 2023 for peak summer days, has now become permanent. Reservations will be required for peak weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day at seven locations where surf fishing is permitted. The weekend before Memorial Day will no longer be considered a peak weekend.
Surf fishing permit rates remain unchanged for 2024. The permit fee for Delaware residents is $90 and $180 for out-of-state residents, with discounted rates available for Delaware residents aged 62 and older.
In addition, DNREC’s annual auction of low-digit surf fishing license plates started on Nov. 21 and will remain live until Dec. 7. The online auction benefits Delaware State Parks, with bidders having the option to bid on 15 tags and nine “choice” categories. A low-digit surf fishing tag does not allow drive-on surf fishing access — a valid surf fishing permit is still required.
For more information about the low-digit surf fishing license plate auction, visit https://destateparks.com/LowDigitTags.
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