DEM Stocking Over 60,000 Fish in Freshwater Areas for Opening Day of Trout Fishing Season, April 9
"Opening Day is a special event and tradition for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders who head out on the second Saturday of April to a favorite fishing spot to reel in their first trout of the season," said DEM Acting Director Terry Gray.
"It's also an event that encapsulates much of DEM's mission and values of
protecting and managing Rhode Island's natural resources to preserve and
improve our quality of life. This Saturday, we hope that anglers of all ages
enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of landing a fish we've raised and stocked
for their benefit."
Go
for the gold!
Anglers
who catch a golden rainbow trout from Opening Day, to May 8 will be eligible to
receive a golden trout pin. Simply take a picture and send it to
dem.fishri@dem.ri.gov. The golden trout pin contest will be limited to the
first three weeks after Opening Day. Anglers' submissions need to be received
no later than May 9 to be eligible for the pin.
A 2022 fishing license is required for anglers 15 years or older. A trout conservation stamp also is required for anyone wishing to keep or possess a trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or "fly-fishing only" area.
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 new Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) portal.
The minimum size of all trout or charr species taken from the waters of the state is eight inches, measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. The creel and possession limit for domestic or landlocked Atlantic salmon in the fresh waters of the state is two fish per day and shall be included in the daily limit for trout, salmon, or charr.
The minimum size for domestic or
landlocked stocked Atlantic salmon is 11 inches in total length. No person
shall take any Atlantic salmon from the Pawcatuck River downstream of the
Potter Hill Dam in Westerly.
DEM
would like to remind anglers of following changes in the Freshwater
Regulations:
•
The minimum size of all trout or charr species, taken from the waters of the
state, shall be 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 inches total length.
The
following activities are prohibited:
•
The taking of any fish in the freshwaters of the state by any means other than
angling, using a hook(s) and fishing line, except for carp, suckers, and fall
fish, which may be taken by snares, spears, or bow and arrow.
•
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 gill nets shall be
prohibited.
•
The Beaver River will not be stocked with hatchery trout. It is
catch-and-release only from the confluence of the Beaver River and the
Pawcatuck River, located downstream of Shannock Hill Road, Richmond, upstream
to the New London Turnpike, Richmond. It is designated as a
"no-kill," "catch-and-release" area. Fishing shall be
permitted with artificial lures equipped with a single barbless hook or single
barbed hook that has been crimped, and all fish shall be returned to the water
immediately. The possession of any trout, salmon, or charr while fishing this
section of the river shall be prima facie evidence that said trout, salmon, or
charr was taken in violation of these rules and regulations.
•
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. It is prohibited to enter or exit a state
boat ramp with any vegetation attached to any type of boats, motors, boat
trailers, or any other conveyance or equipment to curtail the spread of
invasive aquatic plants.
•
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 to Dec. 1, 2022, and two fish from Dec. 1, 2022, through Feb. 28, 2023.
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.
Anglers are reminded to protect themselves from hypothermia. When outdoors, especially in low temperatures, dress in layers and wear a warm hat and gloves. Hypothermia is caused by exposure to cold weather, wind, rain, or submersion in cold water.
It can set in when the body core temperature reaches 95 degrees Fahrenheit and is marked by shivering, dizziness, trouble speaking, lack of coordination, confusion, faster heartbeat, and shallow breathing. It is important to look for these symptoms in children and the elderly who may not be focused on this hazard.
If hypothermia is suspected, call for help immediately. Move the victim to a warm environment, remove wet clothing, and cover them with warm layers of clothing or blankets. 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. For more information on Rhode Island
boating laws, click here.
For
more information on DEM programs and services, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM
on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@RhodeIslandDEM).
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