It’s nearly time to test out that new rod or reel you got for Christmas — or dust off the tackle box that was put on ice at the end of the summer. Winter fishing season starts Jan. 6 in Rhode Island.
To prepare, the state Department of Environmental Management is stocking trout in area ponds — about 3,000 fish in eight ponds to be exact.
Here’s the list:
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- Carbuncle Pond, Coventry
- Olney Pond, Lincoln
- Barber Pond, South Kingstown
- Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown
- Upper Melville Pond, Portsmouth
- Round Top Ponds, Burrillville
“Even though there is no ice currently, we have had many beautiful days for fishing this winter. Getting out in the fresh air is a great way to start the new year and generate excitement for Opening Day in April.” says Catherine Sparks, Assistant Director for Natural Resources.
Anglers can be assured that winter stocked fish will hold over for the April 11th Opening Day of Trout season.
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A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are required to keep or possess a trout. The daily creel and possession limit for trout from Dec 1. to Feb. 28 currently stands at two per day.
Anglers are reminded of a new regulation that began in 2012 that prohibits the use of felt soled or any porous material footgear in any fresh waters of RI. This includes any waters shared with adjacent states in which Rhode Island Fishing Regulations apply.
Although there is no ice at this time, the Department advises anglers to check with individual communities regarding safe ice conditions on local ponds before going ice fishing. DEM does not monitor ice conditions on local lakes and ponds. Ice must have a uniform thickness of at least six inches before it is considered safe by DEM. It generally takes at least five to seven consecutive days of temperatures in the low 20s for safe ice to form.
In addition to the requisite cold temperatures, ice thickness is also determined by factors such as the size and depth of a pond, presence of springs or currents, and local temperature fluctuations. For ice conditions at Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods State Park, call DEM’s Division of Parks and Recreation at 667-6200. DEM has an ice safety guide that can be found online at its parks website, www.riparks.com
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