The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) began its fall trout stocking program during the first week of October in selected areas. As Rhode Island still is experiencing a severe drought that is particularly affecting the levels of rivers and streams, some traditionally-stocked bodies of water will see a delay as DEM officials wait for water levels and conditions to improve. Cyanobacteria alerts also will prevent stocking in some ponds and lakes.
The following areas have been stocked with rainbow and brook trout as of October 7:
Barber Pond, South Kingstown
Barberville to Wyoming Pond, Richmond, Hopkinton
Bradford Fishing Area, Westerly
Breakheart Pond, Exeter
Browning Mill Pond, Exeter
Carbuncle Pond, Coventry
Carolina Trout Pond, Richmond
Cronan Landing, Richmond
Eight Rod Farm Pond, Tiverton
Grantville to Route 95, Hopkinton
Hope Valley Fishing Area, Hopkinton
Kings Factory Bridge, Charlestown
Lower Shannock, Charlestown
Meadow Brook Pond, Richmond
Olney Pond, Lincoln State Park, Lincoln
Route 165 to Barberville, Exeter, Hopkinton
Round Top Ponds, Burrillville
Shippee Sawmill Pond, Foster
Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown
Spring Grove Pond, Glocester
Stafford Pond, Tiverton
Upper Pawtuxet, (Hope), Scituate
Willet Pond, East Providence
Woodville, Richmond, Hopkinton
A 2022 fishing license is required for anglers aged 15 and older and a trout conservation stamp is required to keep or possess a trout. Trout stamps are not required for persons possessing trout taken from a lake or pond that shares a border with Rhode Island. Fishing licenses can be purchased online on DEM’S Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) portal. DEM would like to remind anglers of the following changes in the Freshwater Regulations:
The daily creel and possession limit for trout and/or salmon is five fish, of which only two can be salmon, through November 30, 2022; and two trout and/or salmon, of which only two can be salmon from December 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023. The creel and possession limit for trout taken in the Wood River, between Route 165 check station and Barberville Dam at Arcadia Road, is two fish from the second Saturday in May through the last day of February. That stretch of the Falls River, from the bridge at Austin Farm Road to the bridge at Brook Trail, is a catch-and-release area. The confluence of the Beaver River and Pawcatuck River, upstream to New London Turnpike, is also designated as a catch-and-release area.
The daily creel limit for landlocked Atlantic salmon is two fish per day, statewide until Feb. 28, 2023, which must be part of the overall five-fish limit for trout and salmon. There is an eight-inch minimum size for any trout caught in state waters. The minimum size limit for domestic (landlocked) Atlantic salmon is 11 inches.
The following activities are prohibited:
The use of external felt soled or any natural or synthetic porous material capable of absorbing water in any freshwaters in Rhode Island is strictly prohibited. This includes any waters shared with adjacent states in which Rhode Island fishing regulations apply. To curtail the spread of invasive aquatic plants, it is prohibited to enter or exit a state boat ramp with any vegetation attached to any type of boats, motors, boat trailers, or other conveyance or equipment.
Daily stocking updates will be available each afternoon, please visit DEM’s website at dem.ri.gov/fishing, DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Outreach and Education Facebook page, or call 401-789-0281 and 401-539-0019 for more information on stocking.
