Winter Trout Stocking

Stay off thin ice

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is conducting winter trout and salmon stocking. Stocking will be in selected areas in Rhode Island beginning Tuesday, Jan. 21, and continuing through Thursday, Jan. 23.

The following areas will be stocked with the indicated species:

• Barber Pond, South Kingstown –Golden Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout, Salmon 
• Round Top Ponds, Burrillville – Brook Trout 
• Onley Pond, Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln – Golden Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout, Salmon
• Carbuncle Pond, Coventry – Golden Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout, Salmon 
• Meadow Brook Pond, Richmond – Golden Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout, Salmon 
• Upper Melville Pond, Portsmouth – Golden Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout, Salmon
• Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown – Golden Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout
• Simmons Mill Pond, Little Compton – Golden Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout, Salmon
• Stafford Pond, Tiverton – Golden Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout
• Watchaug Pond, Charlestown – Golden Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout
• Willet Pond, East Providence – Golden Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout
• Wyoming Pond, Hope Valley – Rainbow Trout
• Peck Pond, Burrillville – Golden Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout

Daily stocking updates will be available each afternoon. Please visit DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife's (DFW) Facebook Page, visit www.dem.ri.gov/troutwaters, or call 401-789-0281 or 401-539-0019 for more information on stocking. 

A 2025 fishing license is required for anglers 15 years of age and older and a Trout Conservation Stamp is required to keep or possess trout. 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 Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) portal. 

DEM would like to remind anglers of following changes in the Freshwater Regulations:

• The daily creel/possession limit for trout and/or landlocked domestic salmon singly or in aggregate, is two from Dec. 1, 2024, through Feb. 28, 2025. 
• The daily creel limit for landlocked Atlantic Salmon is two fish per day, statewide until Feb. 28, 2025, which must be part of the overall two fish limit for trout, salmon and charr. 
• The creel/possession limit for trout or charr, taken in the Wood River between RT. 165 Arcadia Check Station and Barberville Dam at Arcadia Road is two fish from the second Saturday in May through the last day of February 2025. 
• That portion of the Falls River, from the bridge at Austin Farm Rd. to the bridge at Brook Trail is a catch and release area. 
• That portion of the confluence of the Beaver River and the Pawcatuck River, upstream to New London Turnpike is designated as a catch and release area. 
• There is an 8-inch minimum size for any trout, stocked or wild caught in any state waters.
• The minimum size limit for domestic, (landlocked) Atlantic Salmon is 11 inches.

The following activities are prohibited:

• The use of external felt soled waders or boots or those soled with 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 strictly 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 in order to curtail the spread of invasive aquatic plants or invertebrates.

Information about stocked freshwaters, size and creel limits for all freshwater fish species is available in the 2024-2025 Freshwater Fishing Abstract, or by calling DEM's Great Swamp Field Office at 401-789-0281, or the DEM’s Aquatic Resource Education office at 401-539-0019.

Anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts are reminded to protect themselves from hypothermia. When outdoors 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. When the body’s core temperature reaches 95 degrees Fahrenheit it can be 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. 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. 

DEM does not monitor ice conditions in local communities. Anglers and others should contact their local recreation departments about safe ice conditions on ponds before ice fishing, skating, or other ice-related activities in individual communities. DEM's Division of Parks and Recreation provides information about the ice conditions at Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln, Meshanticut State Park in Cranston, and Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick. The 24-Hour Ice Info Line is 401-667-6222. DEM stresses that there is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. You cannot tell the strength of ice simply by its look and thickness, the daily temperature, or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. For winter safety tips, visit www.riparks.ri.gov/icesafety.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter/X (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates. Follow DFW on Facebook and Instagram (@ri.fishandwildlife) to stay up to date on news, events and volunteer opportunities. You can also subscribe to DFW’s monthly newsletter here. Sign up here to receive the latest press releases, news, and events from DEM's Public Affairs Office to your inbox.