DEM Stocking Trout Next Week for Fall Fishing Season
Some areas that were not stocked
with trout in October are able to be stocked due to improved water conditions.
The
following waters will be stocked with trout beginning Monday, November 9:
•
Charlestown: Kings Factory Bridge, Pawcatuck River *Lower Shannock Brook,
Pawcatuck River
•
Exeter: Barberville Dam (above), Wood River 165 Check Station, Wood River
•
Hopkinton: Bradford Fishing Area, Pawcatuck River Wyoming Pond, Wood River
*Hope Valley Fishing Area (Dow Memorial Field), Wood River
•
Foster: Shippee Sawmill Pond
•
Richmond: Carolina Trout Pond Meadowbrook Pond, Wood River Woodville, Wood
River Cronan Landing, Pawcatuck River Grantville Rt. 95 overpass, Wood River
•
Scituate: Hope Dam Fishing Area, Upper Pawtuxet River
•
Tiverton: Stafford Pond
*Hope
Valley Fishing Area and Lower Shannock Brook offer universal fishing access for
disabled anglers.
For daily updates on stocking locations, follow DEM's outdoor education page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/rioutdooreducation, or call 401-780-0281.
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
required 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