RI Freshwater Fishing Licenses Expire February 28 - The Fisherman

RI Freshwater Fishing Licenses Expire February 28

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 peculiar is that the Rhode Island saltwater fishing license does expire on December 31st each year. It’s confusing and that’s why we always try to remind our readers about this strange wrinkle in the regulations.

There is some logic to this mid-winter expiration date. As of March 1 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 to bass fishing or any targeting any other species, and there is no gray area there. 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 before the start of March. You’ve been reminded!

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