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| A painting of a brook trout (above) by artist George Bradford of Georgetown will appear on the 2012 Delaware Trout Stamp. |
Delaware's freshwater trout program is a self-supporting fishery in selected streams in northern New Castle County, and in one pond in both Kent and Sussex Counties, that is funded from fees derived from the state's trout stamp program.
Fees paid for trout stamps are used to purchase trout from commercial hatcheries. Rainbow, brown and/or brook trout are stocked in selected streams within two weeks of the spring opening date and for an additional period of time into the season. There also may be a supplemental fall stocking.
Since Delaware stream temperatures are marginal at best for trout survival in the summer, and no reproduction has been noted, stocked fish are meant to be taken, not caught and re-released.
The Division began requiring trout stamps in the 1930s. Trout stamp art was first used in 1977. The fees paid for Trout Stamps are used to purchase rainbow and brown trout from commercial hatcheries. Purchased trout are stocked in selected streams in northern New Castle County and the ponds cited above for Delaware’s spring trout season.
Residents 16 to 64 years of age are required to have a Delaware Trout Stamp, which costs $4.20. Residents ages 12 through 15 years old are required to have a Young Angler Trout Stamp, which costs $2.10. Non-residents 12 years of age and older are required to have a Non-Resident Trout Stamp, which costs $6.20.
The 2012 Trout Stamp will feature a painting of a brook trout by George Bradford of Georgetown who won the state contest. He received $250 for best in show and retains artist's rights for reproduction and sales of prints of the stamp.
The 2012 Trout Stamp Contest judges were artist Doug Gibson, artist and biologist Charlii Miller, trout angler Bill O'Connor, collector and angler Roy Miller, and collector Dan Shevock.
See photos from the 2012 Trout Stamp Contest
NEW! Artists: Click here for information about the upcoming 2013 Delaware Trout Stamp contest.
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Collectors and buyers:
Delaware Trout stamps from 2009-2011 are available now for sale – click here for an order form.
For more infomation on Delaware trout stamps, please contact:
Amanda Belford, 302-739-9911 or email: DNREC_Stampprograms@state.de.us
