Northern Puffer

Season in Delmarva

DNREC: uncommon, 8 to 10 in, in bays and protected coastal water; Chesapeake Bay Program: spring through autumn inshore. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Back bays and the lower Bay on flats and channel edges in the warm months; sometimes in the surf in fall.

On the bottom in bays, on flats and along channel edges.

What to look for

A club-shaped yellow, brown or olive fish covered in small prickles, with dark splotchy bars on its sides; it swells into a ball when handled.

Bait

Squid pieces, Clam, Bloodworm, Peeler crab. Bottom rig with small hooks.

Leader

Light bottom rig with small hooks.

Common mistakes

• Hooks too big for the tiny mouth

Landing

Swing it up; it is small.

Handling

• Prickly skin
• Strong beak-like mouth

Hold it behind the head and unhook with pliers. An inflated puffer released at the surface floats upside down for a moment, then deflates and swims off.

Keep or release

The Chesapeake Bay Program notes the northern puffer is not poisonous, unlike some other puffers, and is sold as sea squab. Be sure of the species before keeping one; other puffers in the region (DNREC also lists the smooth puffer) are not covered by that note. Check state rules.

Recipes for northern puffer

Typical: 8 to 10 in. Large: unknown.

Limits

FishOS has not checked the DE and MD and VA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Delaware DNREC Fish and Wildlife before you keep a fish.

Sources

• DNREC Delaware Fish and Shellfish Facts: Northern Puffer (Official source)
• Chesapeake Bay Program field guide: northern puffer (Official source)

All the fish of Delmarva