Yes, Rhode Island is still the only state in New England whose freshwater license doesn’t expire at the end of the calendar year. What’s even more perplexing is that the Rhode Island saltwater fishing license does expire on December 31st each year. It’s confusing and easy to forget, which is why we always try to remind our readers about this strange wrinkle in the regulations each year.
Fear not, there is some logic to this mid-winter expiration date. As of March 1st each year, Rhode Island closes all ‘trout stocked waters’ to any and all fishing. Spelled out, that means any stocked pond, lake or stream is closed, whether you’re bass fishing or targeting any other species, and there is no gray area or one-strike policy, if you’re caught, odds are high, you’ll be ticketed. All of these ponds will reopen on the official Opening Day of trout season which is set for the second Saturday in April each year, at 6 a.m. If you plan to ice fish, bass fish or chase any other species in Rhode Island’s – non-stocked – freshwater lakes and ponds, you will need to renew your freshwater license before you bait a hook or make a cast in March. You’ve been reminded!
