RI Keeping It Reel: 60K Fish Stocked In Freshwater Bodies Across State

RHODE ISLAND — Good things come to those who bait — and in this case wait, but not too much longer for Rhode Island fishing enthusiasts.

Trout season is back to its regular pre-COVID-19 schedule in Rhode Island. On Saturday, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will have over freshwater ponds and lakes stocked with more than 60,000 fish — including hatchery-raised rainbow, brook, golden rainbow, and brown trout. Around 4,000 sebago salmon will also be stocked in water bodies across Rhode Island.

"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."

Dundery Brook and Wigwam Pond in Little Compton will not be stocked due to a deterioration of the access to the area. A complete list of stocked waters for Opening Day can be found here.

Go for the gold

To celebrate the return of fishing season, state officials are rewarding fishing enthusiasts for their first catch.

Anglers who catch a golden rainbow trout from Saturday to May 8 will be eligible to receive a golden trout pin. All you have to do is take a picture and send it to dem.fishri@dem.ri.gov.

Submissions need to be received no later than May 9 to be eligible for the pin.

An updated fishing license is required for all anglers 15 and older. DEM officials also said a trout conservation stamp is required for anyone wishing to keep a trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or "fly-fishing only" area. More fishing rules and regulations can be found here.

Fishing licenses can be purchased online through DEM's portal.