DEM Stocking Local Waters with Trout
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will begin stocking trout in freshwaters across Rhode Island next week for the fall fishing season – a popular time for recreational fishing.
The following waters will be stocked with trout beginning
Tuesday, October 6:
• Burrillville – Round Top Ponds
• Coventry – Carbuncle Pond
• Exeter – Breakheart Pond, Browning Mill Pond
• Glocester – Spring Grove Pond
• Lincoln – Olney Pond (Lincoln Woods State Park)
• Little Compton – Eight Rod Pond
• North Kingstown – Silver Spring Lake
• Tiverton – Stafford Pond
Water levels at these locations will be reassessed at the time
of stocking. Please note that due to low water conditions and Cyanobacteria algae
alerts, several areas normally stocked with trout are not on this list. When
conditions improve later on in the season, other areas may be considered for
trout stocking.
Daily trout stocking updates will be available each afternoon on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rifishwildlife/ or by calling 401-789-0281.
DEM reminds anglers of the following changes in the Freshwater
Fishing Regulations that took effect on August 2, 2020.
• The minimum size of all trout or charr species, taken from the
waters of the state, shall be (8) eight inches, measured from the tip of the
snout to the tip of the tail. This regulation applies to both wild and stocked
trout.
• The minimum size for domestic or land-locked stocked, Atlantic
salmon shall be (11) eleven inches total length.
• The following activities are prohibited: In accordance with RI
General Laws 20-11-3, the taking of any fish in the freshwaters of the state by
any means other than angling, utilizing a hook(s) and fishing line, except for
carp, suckers, and fall fish, which may be taken by snares, spears, or bow and
arrow.
And, the taking of any fish in the freshwaters of the state by
net, seine, trawl, or similar device; except for a dip net, for the landing of
a fish caught by hook and line, and the taking of baitfish. Cast nets and gills
nets shall be prohibited.
All other freshwater fishing regulations apply.
A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are
required to keep or possess a trout or salmon. The daily creel and possession
limit for trout and/or salmon singly or in aggregate, is five fish from Opening
Day 2020 to December 1,2020 and two fish from December 1, 2020 through February
28, 2021.
The creel and possession limits for trout or charr taken in the
Wood River between Route 165 and Barberville Dam at Arcadia Road shall be
limited to two fish from the second Saturday in May through the last day of
February, annually. Anglers are reminded to obey all fishing and boating
regulations. Catch and release is encouraged for wild brook trout.
License fees are $18 for Rhode Island residents and current
members of the Armed Forces, $33 for a combination hunting and fishing license,
$35 for non-residents, and $16 for a tourist three-consecutive-day license.
Licenses are free for anglers over 65 (trout stamp not required) - as well as
for those with a 100-percent disability.
State law requires that boaters always have personal flotation
devices for each person, and that they do not drink and operate a boat. Boaters
should also be sure their craft is seaworthy before going out on the state's
waterways.
In order to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive organisms
such as Didymo algae and other harmful aquatic "hitch hikers," Rhode
Island strictly prohibits the use of external felt soled or any natural or
synthetic porous material capable of absorbing water in any freshwaters in the
state.
This includes any waters shared with adjacent states in which
Rhode Island fishing regulations apply. Regulations mandate anglers to remove
all vegetation clinging to all types of boats, motors, and gear before leaving
and or entering freshwaters to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants to
other areas.
For a list of designated trout waters and information of
interest to anglers visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Twitter
(@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM for timely
updates.
Related
links
Daily Trout
Stocking Updates from the Division of Fish and Wildlife
