Information Regarding the Use of Noxontown Lake in Delaware
(newest info on top)

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On April 8, 2016 we received information that new public fishing dates and hours were imposed as: June 13th thru August 28th, 5:30AM - 7:30PM.
(Source of info was a Phil Davis who is handling the Rodney Point Boat Ramp at Noxontown Pond.  Received via Joe Morgan of South Jersey Reel Burners bass club.)

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The following information was obtained in January of 2015 from the Facilities Office Manager of St. Andrew's School (Owner of the pond).  Lisa Henson, head of the Co-Chair Safety & Security Council, provided the image below.  The lake is public, but only accessible on certain days, depending on the month.

New Delaware Regulations for Noxontown Lake
« Thread started on: Dec 10th, 2003, 9:23pm »

Rules and Regulations

Noxontown Lake is a privately owned lake, and is bordered on both sides
by St. Andrews school. This is the place that "Dead Poets Society" with
Robin Williams was filmed. They allow fishing here by the public, but can
revoke permission, or prohibit your access at any time. They do not allow
any fishing either before dawn or after dusk. They have a groundskeeper
that opens and closes a locked, fenced in area around the lake. They will
come to open it at 15 minutes or so, before light, and will lock it up
once it is dark. If your vehicle is in there after this time, you are
spending the night there!

PLEASE CHANGE THIS: VEHICLES AND OWNERS WILL NOT BE LOCKED UP. THEY WILL
BE PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM THE PROPERTY. FOLLOWING SUCH A BAN, ANY ATTEMPT
TO TRESPASS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY WILL BE REFERRED TO DELAWARE STATE POLICE.

They have a 10 HP restrictions on motors, but that was to stop the army
of bass boats that descended on the lake from various states in the late
eighties and early nineties, when the word got out about the size of the
fish in Noxontown.

PLEASE CHANGE THIS: THE LIMIT IS 5 (FIVE) HP, NOT 10. IT IS A STATE LAW
PASSED LONG BEFORE 1980. IT DATES BACK TO 1952.

Now, in the last few years, they have been permitting people with bass
boats to come there, but a NO-WAKE policy is in effect.

PLEASE CHANGE THIS: THE 5 HP LIMIT IS THE STATE'S CONTINUING RESTRICTION.
WE IMPLEMENTED A NO -WAKE POLICY FOR OUR OWN CONCERNS. NO ONE CAN OPERATE
A MOTOR GREATER THAN 5 HP, AND NO ONE OPERATING A LEGAL MOTOR CAN GENERATE
A WAKE.

If you cause a commotion or disturbance they can prohibit them again, so
you must be respectful.

PLEASE CHANGE THIS: THE SIZE OF THE BOAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR SAFETY
CONCERNS. THE ENGINE IS THE ISSUE; THE WAKE IS THE ISSUE. IF SOMEONE COULD
LAUNCH A PONTOON BOAT, AS LONG AS THEY FOLLOWED ALL OF THE RULES, WE WOULD
HAVE NO CONCERNS

The school has boats docked in the lake on their property for students to
use, and there is an area that is restricted and marked by signs in the
water. They also hold races there, and there are lanes marked with floats
for this purpose, so be careful with your outboard when fishing or
crossing these areas. They also prohibit alcoholic beverages, and there
is a State Game Warden there at the ramp most times in the spring and
summer. He will check your license, coolers, and boats. The ramp is good,
but has a slight drop-off when you get a few feet in, so launch slowly.
The parking lot itself holds about 8-10 vehicles, but you can park on the
side of the road, and walk back down. There are signs on the fences
clearly stating all the rules.

PLEASE CHANGE THIS: PARKING ALONG THE ROAD IS NO LONGER PERMITTED. WE WILL
BE WORKING WITH DELAWARE STATE POLICE TO TICKET ALL VEHICLES PARKED ON THE
SHOULDER OF NOXONTOWN ROAD. WE WILL BE ALSO TAKE ACTION AGAINST ANYONE
USING THE RAMP, BUT PARKING OUTSIDE OF THE FENCED AREA.

ALSO, PLEASE BE SURE THAT ANY AREAS YOU RECOMMEND FOR FISHING DO NOT
CONFLICT WITH AREAS NOW PROHIBITED.

I'm sorry to have to lay all of this at your feet, but we must adopt
stricter policies at the ramp, in accordance with insurance regulations. I
fear it may only be a short time before our efforts are trumped regardless
by their refusal to provide coverage for its operation. If the insurance
company won't allow it, unfortunately neither can we.

Thanks,
Greg

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Greg Doyle
Director of Communications
St. Andrew's School
350 Noxontown Road

Subject: Noxontown, Delaware
Submitted by Greg Doyle (ip 12.149.3.226)
Date Fished: 2/12/04
 
To the patrons of the St. Andrew's School fishing ramp on Noxontown Pond:
Just a few reminders as we draw closer to March...

1. Access to the School's fishing ramp is according to the following schedule:
- From March 1 (or spring thaw) to June 30,, the boat launch ramp will open on SUNDAYS only, subject to some blackout dates. Monday through Saturday, there will be no public access to the ramp.
- From July 1 to October 31, the boat launcch ramp will be open on a daily basis, subject to some blackout dates.

2. The state law prohibiting motors in excess of 5 h.p. will be aggressively enforced. Fish and Wildlife will be called out to ticket lawbreakers. Regardless and independent of that process, violators of the law and/or our other usage terms will be asked to leave immediately and may be banned permanently from using the School's boat ramp.

3. Delaware State Police will be called out for anyone trespassing on private lands or anyone illegally launching or landing boats from non-designated areas. Also, DSP will be summoned for any illegal parking along Noxontown Road or on School property outside of the fenced area. If the parking area is full, move on.

Please remember that ALL shoreline land around Noxontown Pond is privately owned, and it is with great pleasure that we are able to provide the only access to non-residents via our boat ramp. However, this is done at our leisure and only within the limits of our capabilities. The School reserves the right to close the ramp for any reason whatsoever, at any time of our choosing, and for any length of time as determined solely by us.

When the ramp is open, we hope that you are able to enjoy the pleasant waters of Noxontown Pond, and fully comply with the terms of our ramp usage. This is a VERY important year in terms of boater compliance. Usage will be carefully monitored and our observations will be factored into future decisions. Please do not be the cause of additional restrictions or the full and permanent closure of the ramp.

My thanks to all who use Noxontown Pond with respect for our safety, security and environmental concerns, as well as reverence for the natural beauty of this sensitive area.
Best of luck to all in the upcoming season!

Greg Doyle, Director of Communications, St. Andrew's School