Delaware
White Clay Creek near Newark
Current River Rating
Poor · 29
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Do Not Go
Avoid This Period
Saturday, 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
This is an informational evaluation period, not a recommended fishing window. These seasonal suggestions should not be interpreted as a recommendation to enter
Why
- Water temperature is unfavorable for trout fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
Cautions
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 120 CFS
- Gage Height
- 5.54 ft
- Water Temperature
- 75.9 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01479000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
72°F
Feels like
78°F
Wind
5 mph NW
Wind gust
10 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.06 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 72°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 71°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 78°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 4 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 82°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 8 PM
Clear
Temp 73°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 83°F / Low 68°F
Chance 18%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 74°F / Low 63°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 64°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 8 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 83°F / Low 63°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
USGS streamgage WHITE CLAY CREEK NEAR NEWARK, DE (01479000). Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. App-supported continuous parameters currently available: water temperature (00010), streamflow (00060), and gage height (00065). This destination is the named near-Newark trout reach. Related site 01478650 White Clay at Newark is not this destination. It is not Brandywine Creek at Wilmington.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at White Clay Creek.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Delaware's flagship White Clay Creek trout water at USGS 01479000 near Newark. DNREC stocks White Clay Creek and identifies it as designated trout water. USGS provides live water temperature, streamflow, and stage. This record is not Brandywine Creek at Wilmington.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Brown trout are a primary White Clay Creek trout-stream target.
Source: Delaware DNREC
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Rainbow trout are supported by DNREC stocking on designated White Clay reaches.
Source: Delaware DNREC
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
New Castle County White Clay Creek trout habitat at the near-Newark gauge reach.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Fall
Common techniques
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public access is documented by Delaware DNREC for White Clay Creek trout waters. Catalog coordinates are the USGS gage point, not a verified put-in pin.
Stocking information
Delaware DNREC freshwater trout program stocks White Clay Creek. Confirm current official DNREC stocking updates.
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · Delaware DNREC
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Delaware DNREC
Official sources
This destination is the near-Newark White Clay gauge reach only. Verify current Delaware DNREC trout rules before fishing.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
New Castle, Delaware
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
New Castle
Management Category
Trout stream
Regulation Scope
White Clay Creek near Newark trout gauge reach
Regulation Summary
Delaware DNREC freshwater trout regulations apply on designated White Clay Creek reaches. Confirm current seasons, methods, and limits before fishing.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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