The U.S. state of Delaware has 19 wildlife and conservation areas, as of 2026. https://dnrec.delaware.gov/fish-wildlife/wildlife-areas/ Each of the wildlife areas is operated and maintained by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, a branch of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).
The state wildlife system includes over 68,000 acres of public land set aside to conserve Delaware's fish and wildlife populations. Unlike Delaware's state parks, which are geared to more general outdoor recreation, the wildlife and conservation areas are managed primarily for recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and birding, similar to the National Wildlife Refuges operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
State wildlife & conservation areas Area Name County Date founded Size DescriptionC&D Canal Conservation AreaNew CastlePreserves land along both sides of the C&D Canal, which connects the Delaware Bay to the Chesapeake Bay.Augustine Wildlife AreaNew CastlePreserves land along the Delaware Bay and the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal.Cedar Swamp Wildlife AreaNew CastlePreserves land along the Delaware Bay.Eagles Nest Wildlife AreaNew CastleWoods and wetlands near Blackbird State Forest.DNERR Blackbird Creek ReserveNew Castle583-acre (236 ha)Preserves uplands and marsh in Townsend, Delaware.Woodland Beach Wildlife AreaKentPreserves a stretch of wetland along the Delaware Bay.Blackiston Wildlife AreaKentLittle Creek Wildlife AreaKent1957Preserves a stretch of wetland along the Delaware Bay.Ted Harvey Conservation AreaKent1979Preserves land along the Delaware Bay and the St. Jones River. Named after the founder of Delaware Wild Lands.Tappahanna Wildlife AreaKentNorman G. Wilder Wildlife AreaKent1940Contains some of the largest intact blocks of forest in the state wildlife area system. Named for the first Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife.McGinnis Pond Wildlife AreaKentA small fishing pond.Milford Neck Wildlife AreaKent, Sussex1979The disconnected pieces of this wildlife area preserve land around the Murderkill River, the Mispillion River, and the Delaware Bay.Prime Hook State Wildlife AreaSussex1958Preserves land adjacent to the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge along the Delaware Bay.Marshy Hope Wildlife AreaSussex2000Preserves woods and wetlands near the Marshyhope Creek along the border with Maryland.Industrial Forest LandsSussex1992Forestland formerly leased from pulp companies.Old Furnace Wildlife AreaSussex2000Preserves woodland near the Nanticoke River.Nanticoke Wildlife AreaSussex1967Preserves portions of the Nanticoke River and surrounding land.Midlands Wildlife AreaSussex2000Preserves large pine forest tract located in the middle of the Indian River, Nanticoke River, and Pocomoke River.Assawoman Wildlife AreaSussex1954Preserves portions of Little Assawoman Bay and Indian River Bay and the surrounding land.
See also Fishing in Delaware
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