• Winter sunrise, Kittatinny Ridge

    Delaware Water Gap

    National Recreation Area NJ,PA

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  • SAFETY ADVISORY

    UNTIL DELAWARE RIVER LEVELS DROP, SWIMMING PROHIBITED AND LIFE JACKETS (PFDs) MANDATORY WHILE ON BOARD ANY VESSEL (ON WATERS OF DELAWARE RIVER WITHIN DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA). More »

Hunt & Fish

White-tailed buck

White-tailed buck

NPS Image

Hunting and fishing are permitted in most areas of the park, during the appropriate state-specific seasons, and with the required licenses.

Because the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area spans the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, it is important for those who hunt or fish to observe state boundaries and regulations, as well as local- and park-specific regulations. A few of these are listed below:

  • Trapping is not permitted
  • Spear fishing is not permitted
  • Training dogs on game is not permitted
  • Target shooting is not permitted
  • Hunting within 450 feet of any regularly used or occupied structure is not permitted

More information about hunting in the park

 
Spotted trout

Brook trout

NPS Image

Either a New Jersey or Pennsylvania fishing license is valid when fishing on the Delaware River. Be aware, however, that fishing in a Pennsylvania or New Jersey lake or stream requires the state-appropriate license.

More information on fishing in the park

For those wishing to hunt or fish on the Pennsylvania side of the park, hunting licenses can be obtained through the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and fishing licenses through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

More information about purchasing a Pennsylvania hunting or fishing license

For those wishing to hunt or fish on the New Jersey side of the park, hunting and fishing licenses can be obtained through the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife

More information about purchasing a New Jersey hunting or fishing license

To contact the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Ranger Office, call (570) 828-2321.

Areas closed to hunting and fishing

Did You Know?

A ranger testing water quality in a stream.

... that the Middle Delaware River exceeds ordinary federal standards for clean water. Because of this, special higher standards have been set for the river, so it does not "deteriorate" to being just "clean enough." The river in this park is, and will remain, truly "cleaner than clean." More...