Where To Go Crabbing In Delaware (The Complete Guide)
Updated November 2, 2023 by Taylor Whiteman. Added video, updated map locations, and updated spot info.
I’ve lived in Delaware for almost 20 years and I love to go crabbing. So I thought I’d write this post to share, in my opinion, the absolute best crabbing spots along the Delaware coast. If I had to pick my favorite, it would be Holt’s Landing.
Holt’s Landing State Park is the best public crabbing pier in Delaware. It’s perfect for setting traps with its low railings and wide deck that sits just above the water. Go crabbing here any time between summer and early fall for the best catch.
Holt’s Landing isn’t the only great crabbing spot in Delaware, and maybe not even the best for your situation. I asked around and found plenty of spots to set crab traps up and down the state of Delaware. I marked each one on the map below for your convenience.
To make the map as easy to read as possible, I color-coded the spots:
- Public piers which are perfect for crabbing are labeled with a blue pinpoint.
- Bridges you can throw a ring net off of are labeled with a yellow pinpoint.
- Bodies of water crawling with blue crabs are labeled with a green pinpoint.
- Shoreline crabbing spots are labeled with a red pinpoint.
- Lastly, nearby Maryland bodies of water are labeled with a purple pinpoint.
Let’s dive into each spot. I’ll discuss what makes them great, some information you should know if you want to go crabbing there, and more!
Table of Contents
Delaware Crabbing Charters
Before you decide to go through the process of finding a crabbing spot, purchasing crabbing gear, and going down the rabbit hole that is recreational crabbing, you may want to consider a crabbing charter. A crabbing charter is a private crabbing trip with an expert captain. He or she will take you on the water with their boat to set crab traps and go fishing. You’ll spend the day on the water and learn a thing or two, and you get to keep whatever fish or crabs you catch!
I highly recommend this experience to anyone new to crabbing. There is a huge learning curve when it comes to figuring out crabbing techniques, buying the right gear, the right bait, finding the best time to go crabbing, and the list goes on. With a charter, however, you’ll get to have an expert at your side to answer any questions as you learn how to go crabbing. They’ll provide all the gear necessary, a license, and everything else you will need for this trip.
I don’t say this to overwhelm you, but just to introduce the idea of a charter boat. I found a captain who is beginner-friendly and has years of experience when it comes to catching blue crabs.
Sea Monkey Charters, Dagsboro, DE
Click here to see Captain Brossman’s Availability on FishingBooker.com.
Captain Aaron Brossman runs Sea Monkey Charters, a boat charter service that goes way beyond just crabbing. He offers to catch Flounder, Seabass, Mahi, and Clams. You can also take a trip on his boat for sand bar days. This is a unique service he offers where he takes your party to a sandbar to play sports, eat snacks, and enjoy a day out on the water.
Captain Brossman captains The Sea Monkey, a spacious 27′ Sea Hunt Game Fish fishing charter boat equipped with an AC mist system and restroom. It was built in 2015 and can fit 6 people.
When it comes to crabbing, Captain Brossman is an expert. He has excellent reviews stating that he’ll answer any question you can come up with while crabbing or fishing. With his service, he’ll provide all the gear necessary to go on a crabbing trip. All you need is to come with a good attitude. He’s also known for running a friendly boat and will go above and beyond to make sure your day on the water is a good one.
Crabbing Piers
If it’s your first time crabbing, I’d highly recommend trying out a crabbing pier. It’s much more convenient than crabbing alongside a busy road or from a nasty-smelling fishing boat.
For every spot on this list, you need to make sure that you’re following Delaware’s Crabbing Regulations. If you’re between 16 and 64 years of age, you will need a general fishing license to go crabbing. With that, you can use as many hand lines and ring nets as you please, in addition to two crab pots. Check out Delaware’s DNRC website for more information.
Plus, they make catching crabs using ring nets and hand lines so much easier. If you have no clue what I’m talking about, I highly recommend you check out my article: A Beginner’s Guide To Crabbing From a Pier. It’s an uncomplicated guide to crabbing from a pier and should be helpful once you have chosen your favorite crabbing pier.
Holt’s Landing State Park
If you ask a local lower-Delawarean where to go crabbing, I wouldn’t be surprised if they recommended Holt’s Landing Park. It’s a very popular spot for most first-time crabbers because of its specially-built crabbing pier.
I’ve visited the park myself and it’s a great spot for crabbing. There are plenty of parking spaces within a short walking distance from the pier and public boat ramp. The park has clean and well-maintained bathrooms, picnic areas, and a playground. Expect to find the classic, inviting Delaware Park atmosphere just with lots of crabbing and fishing.
Bring bug spray! The one and only complaint you’ll hear about this park is the number of mosquitoes and ticks during the summer.
A few things you should know before going to Holt’s Landing:
- There’s a $4.00 admission fee for in-state visitors and an $8.00 fee for out-of-state visitors. Entrance fees are charged from March 1st to November 30th.
- Delaware State Parks (including Holt’s Landing State Park) have a carry-in carry-out trash policy, which means there are no garbage bins on the premise. Be sure to bring your own trash bags.
- The park is open year-round from 8 am to sunset. The boat ramp is open 24 hours a day.
For more information on the state park, visit DE State Park’s Website.
Let’s talk about the crabbing pier. It reaches out into the Indian River Bay, low enough to the water to make using hand lines an easy task. The railings reach just above waist high, which makes using ring nets easier for short people like my 5-foot-7 self.
If you’re trusting enough, you can throw a crab pot from the pier and leave it overnight (Check out my article: What’s a crab pot?). Just keep in mind that the pier is crowded with pots and other traps during peak crabbing season. There’s always a chance that your catch could be stolen if left unattended.
I’ll let you in on a little secret, the smart crabbers at Holt’s Landing bring a paddleboard or kayak to set their traps away from the crowded pier. If you set your trap just 30 feet away from the pier beside the rip rap, you won’t only catch more crabs, but you will also have a smaller chance of your catch being stolen.
Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier
Cape Henlopen, one of my favorite Delaware State Parks, has one outstanding fishing and crabbing pier. Whenever I visit the park during late summer and early fall, I always see blue crabs scurrying just below the water’s surface around the pier. Henlopen’s fishing pier is easily one of my favorite crabbing piers in Delaware.
The water can be a bit choppy at times, being on the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, but that doesn’t stop crabbers from binging home an impressive catch! I love the atmosphere of the park. It’s filled with friends and families enjoying what nature has to offer.
The only problem I have with the pier is that it can get very crowded, especially during peak crabbing season (July-October). If you want a good on the pier, you’ll have to start early in the day. If you’re catching crabs, set up camp on the shallow end of the pier. If you’re fishing, do the opposite.
Also, keep in mind that the pier’s deck is high above the water, which makes it difficult to use hand lines (unless you have a really long dip net!). I recommend using ring nets, star traps, and box traps while crabbing at Cape Henlopen.
Lighthouse View Bait & Tackle is a small bait shop situated just before the park’s fishing pier. It’ll have everything you need, from crab bait to ring nets, for a successful crabbing trip.
Before you go crabbing at Cape Henlopen, there are a few things you should be aware of:
- There’s a $5.00 admission fee for in-state visitors and a $10.00 fee for out-of-state visitors. Entrance fees are charged year-round.
- Delaware State Parks (including Cape Henlopen State Park) have a carry-in carry-out trash policy, which means there are no garbage bins on the premise. Be sure to bring your own trash bags.
The state park has a bit more to offer besides crabbing. If you have a weekend to spare, I highly recommend booking a campsite. You’ll have plenty of time to go crabbing, and if that gets boring there are nature trails, beaches, and historic towers to explore. Find out more at the state park’s website.
Woodland Beach Pier
Just outside of the town of Smyrna, Woodland Beach is a forgotten little gem on Delaware’s bayside. In the early 1900s, people flocked from all over Delaware to visit Woodland. It had a boardwalk, pavilion, amusements, and everything you needed to enjoy the Delaware summer. If you saw the town now, you’d think I was making this all up.
Woodland’s main attraction today is its fishing pier. It’s a sturdy structure built in the place of the previous boardwalk, which you can still see remnants of till this day. If you take a boat out at Woodland, be sure to go at low tide so you don’t get stuck on any stray pilings.
My favorite aspect of the park is the plentiful parking. You’ll always find a spot in that oversized parking lot. Plus it’s right beside the fishing pier; you can literally pull your car up to the pier and start crabbing!
Here are a few reasons why I really like this spot:
- Unlike the two previously-mentioned state parks, the pier has trash bins on the premises.
- The pier has public restrooms.
- Besides the fishing pier, there is a pavilion and a small beach to enjoy. The beach can disappear at high tide, so be sure to visit at low tide.
Similar to Cape Henlopen, Woodland’s pier is a bit too high above the water for hand lines. On the other hand ring nets, star traps, and box traps will do just fine. You may find that you need a more durable and heavily-weighted trap than most places with Woodland Beach’s strong current.
The beach also has a boat ramp. If you plan on setting crab pots, I would not recommend using the pier, but rather taking a boat to nearby Duck Creek. A trotline would also do just fine in this part of the Delaware Bay.
I’ve only visited Woodland Beach one time, and on that day the water was just too choppy to go crabbing. Rough water will stir up the crabs and send your ring nets flying! Always be sure to check the weather before going crabbing.
Port Mahon Fishing Pier
Want to take a ride out to the middle of nowhere and go crabbing? Then you’re in luck! I’ve got just the spot for you.
Port Mahon Fishing Pier is a surprisingly sturdy and well-kept fishing pier along the Delaware Bay on Port Mahon Rd. It’s a great crabbing spot right outside of Dover. If any of my readers are from Dover, this pier is right around the corner.
Similar to Cape Henlopen and Woodland Beach, Port Mahon’s pier is a bit too high above the water for hand lines. On the other hand ring nets, star traps, and box traps will do just fine. You may find that you need a more durable and heavily-weighted trap than most places with Port Mahon’s Beach’s strong current.
I would not recommend taking children to this pier to go crabbing. The water is unsafe for swimming, and there’s no real beach or attraction besides crabbing or fishing. One of the previously-mentioned state parks would serve much better for a crabbing trip.
Keep in mind that there are no restrooms at this location or garbage bins.
Trap Shooters Road Boat Launch
Just off of Route 1 along the Saint Jones River, Trap shooters Road Boat Launch has a small fishing pier that’s perfect for crabbing.
This is a lesser-known spot compared to any of the previously-mentioned crabbing piers. The pier is very small, but also low to the water which will make using hand lines and ring nets an easy task.
If you are trusting enough, feel free to throw a crab pot or two from a pier overnight; just be sure to get back early enough before someone steals your catch.
Saint Jones River leads right into the bay and will serve as a great crabbing spot especially later in the crabbing season. According to crabbing reports, you’ll have the most luck crabbing here from late July to mid-October.
I visited this spot on May 21, 2022, and found a well-kept porta potty. So, there is a bathroom facility at this spot. There are no dumpsters or trash cans, so be sure to take your trash with you when you leave.
Bridges
On Crabbinghub, I try my best to give everyone the opportunity to get out there and catch a bushel of crabs. If your only option to go crabbing is to pull over on the side of the road and set some traps off a bridge, be my guest! Personally, I would want to be on the water in my boat, but what’s the difference if you end up with a steaming pot of blue crabs by the end of the day?
Crabbing from a bridge is as easy as it sounds. You will need either ring nets, topless traps, or both. Anything that is legal, catches crabs, and lets you hoist it from a long rope.
Start off by picking one of the bridges on this list. Drive there with your preferred traps, bait it, add some weight, then walk onto the bridge. I made sure to pick most of my bridges with built-in room for fishing. Once you are there, go ahead and use either your ring nets or topless traps from the side of the bridge. You would be surprised at how many crabs someone can catch in an afternoon on the side of the road!
Be mindful while crabbing, you will be on the side of fairly busy roadways. This is not a spot I would take children.
Let’s get into my favorite crabbing bridges. I made sure to choose bridges spread throughout the state so that everyone can get out there and go crabbing.
Silver Run Bridge
As the northernmost Route 9 bridge you would find me crabbing from, Silver Run Road Bridge is a great crabbing spot if you’re a crabber from the Appoquinimink River area without a boat. The bridge is very well built with a side rail built specially for fishermen and crabbers alike.
It can park as many vehicles as you can squeeze along the side of Route 9 without falling into the Appoquinimink tidal marshes, which is a lot so do not worry about finding a spot.
In fact, there are three bridges just minutes apart from one another on Silver Run Road which are all perfect for crabbing. Each has a sturdy side rail, which is all you need to go crabbing. My favorite is the middle bridge of the three, just north of the southernmost bridge and just south of the northernmost bridge going over Silver Run.
You’ll have the most luck crabbing here from late June to August. Sometimes crabs will run in these waters as late as September, depending on the weather.
To go crabbing from these bridges, like every bridge in this article, you will need a recreational fishing license.
Duck Creek Bridge
If you’re from the Smyrna area, you should be happy to know that there’s a great crabbing bridge just a small walking distance from town.
Duck creek bridge is a quaint bridge with a side section for fishing and crabbing. It’s protected by a guard rail so it’s a bit safer from oncoming traffic than other spots on this list. The bridge is overtop the shallow duck creek, which puts you in the perfect spot for ring nets and topless traps.
There is enough parking for 4 or so vehicles along the side of Smyrna Landing Road, so you should be able to get a spot with the exception of some holidays and weekends.
Duck creek eventually feeds out into the greater Woodland tidal marshes which are full of blue crabs. Just keep in mind that this spot is very far upriver, which can affect the number of blue crabs in the water. After a lot of rainfall, the creek will be mostly runoff, which will push the crabs back into the Bay. I wouldn’t go crabbing here unless it hasn’t rained for a while. To increase your luck, go crabbing just after low tide. The water will run in from the bay, bringing blue crabs with it. To catch the largest blue crabs, go crabbing at Duck Creek from late June to late August.
To go crabbing from this bridge, like every bridge in this article, you will need a recreational fishing license.
Woodland Beach Bridge
If I had to go crabbing from any bridge on this list. Woodland Beach Bridge would be my pick. You’re situated just a few feet over Duck creek, in the center of Woodland Tidal Marshes. During the peak crabbing months (June through August), you’ll see blue crabs scurrying back and forth across the sandy creek bed. All you gotta do is throw in some bait and catch them!
The bridge is almost level with the water, which makes hand lines possible as well as ring nets and topless traps. The bridge is equipped with a side section for fishermen and crabbers guarded from incoming traffic with a guard rail.
The only issue with this spot is parking. You’ll have to park at the public boat launch a quarter mile up the road. It’s a fair walk to the bridge, but once you get there you’ll be all set to go crabbing.
Just a heads up, this road can get flooded at times, so be sure to go crabbing right after low tide and pack up before high tide. I wouldn’t come here after a heavy storm, you might find the road flooded. The best time of year to go crabbing here is from late June to late August.
To go crabbing from this bridge, like every bridge in this article, you will need a recreational fishing license.
Savannah Road Bridge
If you’re from slower Delaware and you mind crabbing in the middle of nowhere, Savannah Road Bridge would make a great crabbing spot. Like the other bridges on this list, it has a side section for crabbing and fishing, only this spot is not protected by a guard rail.
You’re situated overtop the Leipsic River, just close enough to the Delaware Bay to make this an adequate crabbing spot. It’s a good distance overtop of the water, so hand lines are out of the picture, but ring nets and topless traps will do just fine.
Parking is limited but should not be an issue. The bridge doubles as a small boat ramp, so sometimes a trailer can be in your way. You could squeeze 8 or so vehicles along the side of Savannah Road, so don’t expect to miss out on a parking space.
You’ll have the most luck crabbing here from late June to August. Sometimes crabs will run in these waters as late as September, depending on the weather.
To go crabbing from this bridge, like every bridge in this article, you will need a recreational fishing license.
Broadkill Road Bridge
Just before you enter Broadkill Beach on Broadkill Road, you cross a small bridge overtop Primehook Creek. This small body of water may not seem like much, but it’s a great crabbing spot along the Primehook tidal marshes.
I like this spot especially because there’s very little walking distance from the parking spots, and it has a public restroom. You’re also next to a bait & tackle shop in case you need any last-minute crab bait.
The bridge is a little high over the water, so you’ll need longer strings for ring nets and topless traps. Needless to say, hand lines are out of the picture. There is also no sidewalk or sectioned-off fishing spots, just the shoulder of Broadkill Rd. I would be careful to keep an eye on oncoming traffic while crabbing here. This road is not particularly busy, otherwise, I would not recommend this spot.
Parking can be an issue on weekends and holidays because you’re sharing parking with Broadkill beach parking. If you arrive early, you should find a parking spot.
You’ll have the most luck crabbing here from late June to August. Sometimes crabs will run in these waters as late as September, depending on the weather.
To go crabbing from this bridge, like every bridge in this article, you will need a recreational fishing license.
Shoreline Crabbing Spots
When I was scouring lower Delaware, I found a handful of public boat ramps and other spots that have shoreline crabbing availability. I thought it made sense to give these places their own section. It depends on who you ask, but shoreline crabbing can be just as effective as crabbing from a pier.
As you can see on the map, there are not too many shoreline crabbing spots that I know of. I do most of my crabbing in Maryland or from my boat. If you know of any spots you don’t mind sharing, feel free to leave a comment! I’ll check it out, and add it to the article.
In this section, I’ll mention crabbing with ring nets, hand lines, and topless traps. If you’re unfamiliar with crabbing using any of these methods, check out this video! It’ll show you how to go crabbing using each method.
Gills Neck Road
If you’re in the Lewes area, this spot is perfect for you. If you’re not, I’m about to leak a secret Lewes crabbing and fishing spot. I doubt they’ll ever welcome me back.
Anyways, along Gills Neck Road underneath the Route 9 bridge, you’ll find a little-known fishing and crabbing spot along the shoreline. The Lewes And Rehoboth Canal is just filled with blue crabs being so close to the Bay and acres upon acres of tidal marshes.
There’s parking for 8 vehicles underneath the bridge and more along the road. The shoreline is raised a few feet above the water, which makes ring nets, topless traps, and hand lines easy to use.
You’re just minutes from the Delaware Bay, which means it won’t take too long for crabs to run here during the crabbing season. I wouldn’t crab any earlier than the end of June to make sure you bring home a decently-sized catch.
If you want to do some serious crabbing, try launching a boat at Lewes Public Boat Ramp and trying your luck in the Delaware Bay. Lots of recreational crabbers get lucky setting pots or using a trotline from June to late August in this part of the bay. Be sure to check out the waterways section of this post for more information on crabbing in Delaware Bay.
I like this spot, especially being so close to Lewes Beach. If you’re in the area, I recommend trying out Wheelhouse (also known as The Wharf), my favorite restaurant in the area (I’m not affiliated with this restaurant, I just really love their soft shell crab sandwich).
Just like any other spot on this list, you will need a recreational fishing license to go crabbing.
Little Creek Boat Ramp
Little Creek, a small town on little-traveled Route 9, has a public boat ramp with some shoreline crabbing & fishing access. I especially like this spot because it’s a quiet, out-of-the-way crabbing spot just minutes from the hustle of Dover.
On the north side of Little Creek, the shoreline is raised a few feet from the fairly shallow murky water. This puts you in the perfect spot to use ring nets and hand lines.
Compared to Cupola Park and other spots on this list, there’s little to do here other than crab or fish. I wouldn’t take children here unless they are very patient and will be entertained with hours of crabbing.
A cool feature of this crabbing spot is Little Creek Bridge. Whoever designed this bridge had fishermen and crabbers in mind when they installed a side rail and sidewalk. It wouldn’t hurt to set a few ring traps or topless traps along the bridge. It’s too high up to use hand lines.
This spot is not too far away from the Bay, which means crabs will run here more often. The earliest I would crab here is very late June all the way through August. If it’s warm out in September, you should have some luck in the first weeks of the month.
If you want to do some serious crabbing, try launching a boat at Little Creek Boat Ramp and trying your luck in the Delaware Bay. Lots of recreational crabbers get lucky setting pots or using a trotline from June to August in this part of the bay. Be sure to check out the waterways section of this post for more information on crabbing in Delaware Bay.
Just like any other spot on this list, you will need a recreational fishing license to go crabbing.
Cupola Park
If you live in or around the Millsboro area, Cupola Park is an outstanding crabbing spot. It’s a great spot for many to spend the day enjoying nature, go fishing, have a barbeque, and so forth. If you plan ahead, you can catch a concert at the park after a long day of crabbing.
Being so close to the water and having a playground, Cupola Park is an amazing spot to take the kids crabbing!
If you walk up the park shoreline, you’ll find yourself a few feet above fairly shallow tidal waters that are perfect for using ring nets and hand lines. Might I add that these are perfect methods for young crabbers who are new to the trade. The park is just a great spot to go crabbing for the guy who doesn’t have a boat and has to crab from shore.
The park is located along the Indian River, just before Millsboro Pond. This is very far upriver, and crabs don’t run here until the water turns brackish later in the year. You’ll have the most luck crabbing here during August or maybe early September if it’s warm out. Otherwise, you’ll have to take advantage of Cupola’s public boat ramp and take a boat out into the Indian River Bay.
Lots of recreational crabbers will take home crabs by the bushels after a day crabbing on the bay. Be sure to check out the waterway section of this article to learn more about crabbing in the Indian River Bay.
Just like any other spot on this list, you will need a recreational fishing license to go crabbing.
Bower’s Beach Boat Ramp & Jetty
When the water is calm and the tide is forgiving, Bower’s Beach can make for a great spot to go crabbing. You should have some luck sending a few handlines out along the riverside of the jetty. If you’re skilled enough, this is the perfect spot to use a crab snare.
This shoreline spot is a bit unconventional compared to others. Instead of crabbing from a riverbank or the shore of a small creek, you’ll be crabbing on a fishing jetty. Bower’s, along with its beautiful sandy beach, has a fishing jetty many come from miles to enjoy. It stretches out into the Delaware Bay directly at the mouth of the Murderkill River.
When the water’s not too rough, this jetty would make a great spot to set some hand lines. You’re close enough to the water to lure crabs with some bait and string, then scoop them up with your dip nets.
Parking is free at Bower’s Beach and there’s plenty of it. The Jetty is a small walk from the large parking lot at the center of town, but that’s nothing compared to some shoreline crabbing spots.
Also, Bower’s Beach boat ramp has a small dock, but not enough to move this spot to the pier section. You’ll sometimes see one or two crabbers using a handline or ring net.
Plus, you have plenty to do at Bower’s Beach. Besides crabbing, take a minute to enjoy the scenery, the history that comes with the beach town, and it’s delicious restaurants while visiting.
Just like any other spot on this list, you will need a recreational fishing license to go crabbing.
Love Creek Bridge
A popular spot to crab at shore along the Rehoboth Bay is at Love Creek Bridge & Pier. Many shoreline crabbers come here with ring nets and topless traps handy and take home dozens of blue crabs every year.
To park in the marina and use the crab bridge, there is a $7.00 parking fee. Parking shouldn’t be a problem in most cases, however this bridge can get packed on warm weekends throughout the summer.
You’ll have the most luck crabbing here from late June to August. Sometimes crabs will run in these waters as late as September, depending on the weather.
To go crabbing from these bridges, like every bridge in this article, you will need a recreational fishing license.
Waterways
Especially in lower Delaware, crabs are crawling in almost every waterway up and down the coast. More specifically, blue crabs run in tidal waters up and down the Delaware Coast. If you have a boat, what are you waiting for?
In this section, I’ll showcase each waterway, when and where to crab in each, and public boat ramps to launch your boat and go crabbing.
Here’s solely the waterways on my map of every crabbing spot in Delaware. I included every tidal waterway that’s sure to be filled with blue crabs.
Boating Regulations (Brief)
Before you go crabbing, do yourself a favor and make sure you’re sufficiently licensed to do so. If not, I mentioned over a dozen spots to go crabbing from land, bridges, or piers, so scroll back up.
To go crabbing from a boat, you will need a Recreational Fishing License (this will allow you to use two crab pots), and a Delaware Boating License (to operate a motorized boat).
Your boat will also have to be registered in the state of Delaware, or elsewhere. If your boat is registered in another state, you will need a boat ramp certificate to use the boat ramps mentioned in this article.
Helpful Links:
- Recreational Fishing License
- Official Delaware Boating Safety Course
- Delaware Boat Registration
- Delaware Boating: Common Q&A
Now, let’s get into each crabbing spot. Even though it’s such a small state, Delaware has a lot of tidal waterways filled with crabs. I have no clue how I’m gonna pull off one of these articles for Maryland…
To make things simple, I split it up into 3 sections:
- Delaware Bay & Its Tributaries
- Rehoboth Bay
- Indian River Bay
- Little Assawoman Bay
Delaware Bay
As one of the most notable bodies of water in Delaware, the Delaware Bay is an amazing spot to go crabbing. Commercial and recreational crabbers alike pull up tons upon tons of blue crabs from their traps every year in the bay.
Because it’s such a large body of water, I’m going to break it up into sections: Delaware River, Upper Delaware Bay, Lower Delaware Bay, and Delaware Bay Tributaries:
Keep in mind I labeled these sections of water, this is simply to make my job of describing where to crab in this large body of water much easier.
In my fictitious map, the Delaware River is between the C&D Canal and Woodland Beach. The Upper Delaware Bay is between Woodland Beach and Slaughter Beach. Finally, The Lower Delaware Bay is between Slaughter Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
To make this post as helpful as possible, I created a map with every public boat ramp in Delaware. To keep things organized, I grouped the boat ramps into sections in correspondence with my fictitious labeled of the Delaware Bay.
Delaware River
Starting with the Delaware River, beneath the C&D Canal and north of Woodland Beach, it’s the perfect crabbing spot for northern-Delaware crabbers.
Lots of crabbers report having great luck by using a trotline in the Delaware River. Otherwise, topless traps and crab pots will also get the job done.
You may go crabbing anywhere in the Delaware River south of the C&D canal (the water is not the cleanest up north). I personally would steer clear of the Nuclear plant across from Augustine Wildlife Area.
Crabs run in the Delaware River a just little later in the season than more southern parts of the bay. You’re guaranteed to get a good catch the first few weeks in August through September.
The tributaries and wildlife areas alongside this part of the Delaware River are also great for crabbing. If you want to set your crab pot in an undisturbed, quiet body of water, I recommend finding a spot in one of these areas. A few examples include:
- Augustine Wildlife Area
- Silver Run
- Appoquinimink River
- Blackbird Creek
Delaware River Boat Launches
The map above shows each and every public boat ramp in this section of the Delaware River / Delaware Bay. If you click on the pinpoint, you will find a snippet of information about each location.
Upper Delaware Bay
As we keep moving south, this section of the Delaware Bay starts with Bombay Hook Wildlife Area and ends at Bowers Beach. If you’re from the Dover area, this section is for you.
Just like before, you may crab wherever you please in this section of the bay and its tributaries.
Based on crabbing reports, the best time to crab in this part of the bay is from late-July to Late September. You can get away with crabbing a little earlier in the season here compared to more northern-parts of the bay.
This part of the bay is also great for trotlines and crab pots. I would personally set my crab pots in the tidal creeks and other waterways leading out to the Bay. Here are few:
- Bombay Hook Wildlife Refugee
- Little creek
- Smyrna River
- Saint Jones River
- Murderkill River
Upper-Delaware Bay Boat Ramps
The map above shows each and every public boat ramp in this section of the Delaware River / Delaware Bay. If you click on the pinpoint, you will find a snippet of information about each location.
Lower Delaware Bay
We’ve finally reached the end of the Delaware Bay. Just southwest is the grand Atlantic, and just south is the renowned Delaware Beaches.
You’ll see some of the earliest crabs caught in the season along this part of the bay. Depending on the weather, Delaware crabbers can get away with catching a few bushels of blue crabs as early as June!
This section of the bay has the least amount of tributaries as well as tidal creeks and marshes along the coast, but that doesn’t mean there are not any crabs to be caught!
Besides the bay, you can go crabbing in:
- Cedar Creek
- Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge
- Broadkill River
Cedar Creek, just above Slaughter Beach, has plenty of tidal waters that tend to see crabs running at their peak from late July to mid-September.
The waterway has a boat ramp just off Cedar Creek Rd, also known as Route 36, on Lighthouse Road. Its exact location is on the Lower-Delaware Bay Boat Ramp map below.
Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge is also a great crabbing spot with its hundreds of acres of tidal marshes. Because it’s on government land, however, there are stricter regulations than the other waterways on this map. Check out Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge’s Website for everything you need to know (permits, launching spots, etc.).
The last tributary feeding into this part of the bay is Broadkill River. This feeds into acres of tidal marshes around Lewes, which are just full of blue crabs. Lewes Boat Ramp is a public ramp for whoever wants to launch their boat on this river or the Delaware Bay.
Lower Delaware Bay Boat Ramps
The map above shows each and every public boat ramp in this section of the Delaware River / Delaware Bay. If you click on the pinpoint, you will find a snippet of information about each location.
Rehoboth & Indian River Bay
Welcome to Rehoboth Bay & Indian River, two of the most popular bodies of water to go crabbing in Delaware. Besides the Delaware Bay, these connected bodies of water have the most commercial crabbers in the state.
You’ll find crab here throughout the Delaware crabbing season, however the crabs are most active from late June through late August. If the weather’s fair in September and early November, you have a good chance to bring home a large catch.
There is no “best crabbing spot” in either bay; it really depends on who you ask. You’ll find most crabbers in the Indian River Bay setting their pots just outside of Rosedale Public Boat Landing and along the shoreline near the Indian River Power Plant. Don’t ask why, that’s just where you’ll see most the crabbing reports located.
The Rehoboth Bay is just crawling with blue crabs in the peak summer months. If it were me going crabbing, I would set my pots along the marshes that you can see from Route 1. Anywhere in Delaware Seashore State Park would be a great spot to lay some traps.
Lower Delaware Boat Ramps
Nearby Maryland Crabbing Spots
I live right on the border between Maryland and Delaware, and I go about my business in one state just as much as I do in the other. So, just before I finished this article I thought hey, there’s crabbing spots in Maryland that are much closer to some than most Delaware crabbing spots mentioned in this article. So, I picked a few Maryland crabbing spots and found information on each.
Keep in mind, you’re crabbing in a different state. This will require a different recreational fishing license. Check out Maryland’s DNR website for more information.
Sassafras River
The Sassafras River has great crabbing through late August to early October, and it’s only a 20-minute drive from Middletown, DE.
If you decide you want to try the calm and expansive Sassafras, I highly recommend Fredericktown Boat Ramp. It’s a free spot to launch your boat and go crabbing.
You’ll have the most luck crabbing downriver, around Ordinary Point and beyond. I hear other crabbers report decent catches from late July to November, but I usually have the best luck crabbing from late August to early October.
If you end up crabbing on the Sassafras, feel free to leave a comment letting me know how it went!
Elk & Bohemia River
The Elk & Bohemia River both have great crabbing through late July to November. If you have a boat and want to go crabbing in either river, Chesapeake City Boat Ramp is the best place to launch.
Chesapeake City Boat Ramp isn’t too far of a drive from Newark, Bear, and Wilmington. If you want to get away from the rush of Northern Delaware, Chesapeake city is a great place to be. It’s a quiet, historic town with plenty to offer.
Just keep in mind that this boat launch can get a little crowded on weekends and holidays. There’s enough parking for 10. I recommend that you get there early.
Another spot to access either river is the Elk River Boat Launch. It’s a little easier to travel to if you’re coming from the North. You just have to go a bit further into Maryland on Route 40.
As an alternative boat launch to Chesapeake City, Elk River Boat Launch has immediate access to the Elk River. It makes crabbing much quieter and more convenient.
Unlike Chesapeake City, this ramp has plenty of parking so you’ll be sure to get a spot.
Nanticoke River
If you live in or around Seaford and own a boat, Nanticoke River might be the crabbing spot for you! Launch at Phillips Landing Park and set traps downriver.
The boat landing itself is a great spot to go crabbing and fishing. It’s open from sunrise to sunset, and has plenty of picnic tables, restrooms, but no trash cans.
Most crabbing reports say they had the most luck downriver. I’ve never personally set traps on the Nanticoke, but if I did I would set my traps or start a trot line along the water just beyond Vienna, MD.
If it’s earlier in the season (July), I’d go even further south to where the Wicomico River meets the Nanticoke. You would most likely have a better catch closer to the Bay.
Delaware Crabbing Directory
