Surf fishing at Delaware State Parks

Low-Digit Surf Plate Auction

2023 Auction

The auction is scheduled to run from November 21, 2023 at 9 am to December 7, 2023 at 7 pm ET.

Auction website: www.USGovBid.com

2-, 3- and 4-digit surf tag numbers available at this auction

Individual tags available

  • 37
  • 49
  • 120
  • 244
  • 366
  • 422

Choice of tag numbers 1 – 50

  • Excludes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50

Choice of tag numbers  51 – 200

  • Excludes:  51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 93, 95, 96, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 110, 111, 114, 120, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 132, 143, 148, 149, 160, 179, 195, 197, 200

Choice of tag numbers   201 – 500

  • Excludes:  201, 202, 206, 207, 208, 209, 211, 212, 222, 225, 226, 233, 234, 239, 244, 247, 250, 252, 262, 263, 278, 296, 300, 301, 302, 311, 312, 315, 321, 333, 344, 345, 350, 351, 355, 366, 369, 378, 379, 400, 401, 408, 410, 416, 420, 422, 428, 440, 441, 444, 450, 451, 454, 456, 460, 466, 468, 469, 478, 488, 497, 498, 499, 500

Choice of tag numbers   501 – 800

  • Excludes:  506, 515, 555, 561, 666, 692, 728, 730, 774, 787, 795

Choice of tag numbers   801 – 1000

  • Excludes:  814, 868, 888, 911, 942, 966

Choice of tag numbers   1001 – 2000

  • Excludes:  1111, 1150, 1212, 1313, 1357, 1480, 1510, 1546, 1873, 1911, 1962, 1972, 1989, 1995

Choice of tag numbers   2001 – 4000

  • Excludes:  2020, 2021, 2112, 2222, 2302, 3232, 3318, 3405

Choice of tag numbers   4001 – 7000

  • Excludes:  4040, 4051, 4090, 4133, 4646, 5050, 5392, 5555, 5678, 5769, 5888, 6209, 6898, 7000

Choice of tag numbers   7001 – 9999

  • Excludes:  7001, 7123, 7777, 8858, 9102, 9694, 9750, 9999

FAQs

Who is conducting the auctions?

Auction List Services of New Jersey, which won the State of Delaware's bid solicitation for auction services statewide. They conduct both the live and online auctions. They have a wealth of experience running auctions and online sales. Their online auction website is located at www.USGovBid.com

How much does the tag cost?

The minimum starting bid is $250 and may go up from there.

What about the surf fishing sticker or decal that goes on the plate?

The low digit surf tag does not replace the surf fishing permit decal which must be purchased separately. The surf fishing sticker or decal allows the vehicle owner to drive onto designated Delaware State Park surf fishing beaches in order to surf fish. The decal must be purchased and the cost of an annual surf fishing permit is dependent on the buyer's age and state of residence. For information about surf fishing on Delaware State Park beaches, click here visit our fishing page.

Can the plate be sold or transferred to someone else?

Yes. There will be a one-time transfer fee of $72 (the same amount DMV charges for transfer of low-digit black and white tags).

Do I have to be a Delaware resident to buy a low-digit surf plate?

No. Residents of other states who are eligible for a Delaware surf fishing permit are permitted to purchase and use low-digit tags. However, as part of the legislation that created this program, owners of vehicles that are not registered in Delaware may only purchase and display tag numbers 201 and above. Surf-fishing license plates numbered 200 or below may not be purchased for or displayed on any vehicle registered outside of Delaware, even if the plate is not used for free entry to Delaware state parks or surf fishing, or if it was purchased or received from a third party.

Do I have to purchase a black and white low-digit surf plate?

No. This is a purely optional program; our standard numberless blue-and-white surf fishing plates will continue to be available.

If I have a plate on the front of my vehicle not issued by Delaware State Parks (black enamel plate from eBay, vanity plate, etc.), can I use that as my surf tag instead, as long as it has a current surf fishing decal on it?

No. The surf fishing decal that you receive when you buy your permit must be placed on either a numbered low-digit surf plate or on one of the standard numberless blue-and-white surf fishing plates issued by Delaware State Parks. You're welcome to display old plates on the front of your vehicle, but for your surf fishing permit to be valid, the decal must be affixed to one of these two approved plates.

When will number XXX be sold?

Further information regarding specific numbered plates, and other sales or auctions are announced throughout the year.

What happens to the money generated by selling the tags?

This program was created by the 147th General Assembly through House Bill 348, which authorized the Division of Parks and Recreation to auction off low-digit surf tags, with the proceeds benefitting the Division. All funds will go to Delaware State Parks to help defray the cost of park operations.

For information about surf fishing in Delaware State Parks, visit our fishing page.