Delaware surf-fishing permits go on sale Tuesday. Reservations still needed for peak days

Delaware surf-fishing permits and annual passes for 2024 will go on sale at 8 a.m. Tuesday, but the days of lining up at state parks the night before are over.

After the debut of a reservations system for "peak days" last year, there's no limit on how many surf-fishing permits can be sold. While they're still required to access state park beaches by vehicle, driving on the beach on summer weekends and holidays now also requires a reservation.

The cost of a surf-fishing permit is unchanged for 2024, at $90 for Delaware residents and $180 for out-of-staters. Off-peak permits, which allow holders to drive-on only on off-peak days, are going for $70 and $140, respectively.

More:What to know about Delaware's surf-fishing reservation system

A total of 33 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2024 will call for reservations. Each weekend or holiday day will be available to reserve a few days before on the state website. The only change to the reservation system this year, according to a news release from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, is that the weekend before Memorial Day will no longer be considered a peak weekend.

Annual passes allow access to Delaware State Parks from March 1 to Nov. 30. They're $35 for Delaware residents and $70 for non-residents. Discounted or free surf-fishing permits and annual passes are available for Delawareans receiving state assistance, Delaware firefighters and EMTs, seniors and military members. Find out more at destateparks.com/SurfTagSales.

Surf-fishing permits and annual passes can be purchased at any state park office on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as online at destateparks.com/Know/PassesTagsFees. The estimated delivery time is two to three weeks.

Meanwhile, the low-digit surf-fishing license plate auction is underway through Dec. 7. Numerous tags will go to the highest bidder at usgovbid.com, with a minimum bid of $250. Proceeds benefit Delaware State Parks. Get more information at destateparks.com/LowDigitTags.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.