Beach Plum Island

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Entrance to Beach Plum Island Preserve

Located across the west side of Roosevelt Inlet in Lewes, Delaware is Beach Plum Island Preserve (State Park). Although considered a part of Cape Henlopen State Park, Beach Plum Island is physically separated and accessible only by driving north on Route 1 (Coastal Highway) to Broadkill Road (Route 16). From Route 1 make a right onto Broadkill Road and follow to the end where it intersects with Bayshore Drive. Make a right at the stop sign onto South Bayshore Drive and follow directly into Beach Plum Island State Park.  

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Corby Fulton took off the skunk with this big black drum at Beach Plum Island State Park 2016

As one of the last undeveloped barrier islands in Delaware, access is restricted to marked hiking trails and State designated fishing areas. Unlike many of the other Park areas, hunting is prohibited as are the disturbance of natural vegetation and wildlife. The island is bordered by the Broadkill River and the Delaware Bay. 

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Surf fishing Beach Plum Island, you can see the beach is rather narrow even at low tide.

Fishing either side is productive at different times of the year. Beach Plum Island offers drive on beach access on the Delaware Bay. As with all other beach vehicle access areas a surf fishing vehicle permit is required. As you enter the park visitors are lead directly into the parking area. 

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Beach Plum Island State Park’s new air station house.

There is an air station on the left side of the parking lot near the beach on beach path is. The far east end of Beach Plum Island is designated as a nature preserve and is closed to vehicles. The Park Service maintains a fence that indicates the “no entrance” point, however heavy tides and storms in the Delaware Bay have been known to knock the fence down. The beach along Beach Plum Island is very narrow. So watch where you park your surf fishing vehicle as the tide rises. Also, be aware of any inclement weather that may drive the surf over the beach and onto the dunes.