Fish For Free Without A Permit In Rhode Island Ponds, Lakes This Weekend

RHODE ISLAND — Rhode Island anglers who want to go fishing but still haven't picked up their fishing license, are getting a freebie this weekend from the state.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has scheduled free fishing days throughout the state. Established in 1995, the program provides an opportunity to encourage people to experience freshwater fishing as a new outdoor experience and highlight some of the state’s premier freshwater fishing areas.

Visitors and Rhode Island residents need not worry about getting their fishing license or a trout conservation stamp this weekend in freshwater areas.

The offer does not extend to saltwater fishing, though. Also, make sure you check out the state's 2023-2024 freshwater fishing guide to make sure you are following all keep limits an other rules.

Lucky anglers who catch a golden trout during the free fishing weekend will be given a free golden trout pin. You can take a picture of your catch and email it to dem.fishri@dem.ri.gov for verification. Submissions must be received no later than Monday.

DEM also stocked the following ponds and lakes with golden rainbow trout to open up the Ocean State's spring fishing season:

• Barber Pond, South Kingstown
• Carbuncle Pond, Coventry
• Carolina Trout Pond, Richmond
• Eight Rod Farm Pond, Tiverton
• Meadow Brook Pond, Richmond
• Melville Ponds, Portsmouth
• Olney Pond, Lincoln Wood State Park, Lincoln
• Peck Pond, Burrillville
• Shippee Sawmill Pond, Foster
• Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown
• Simmons Mill Pond, Little Compton
• Tucker Pond, South Kingstown
• Watchaug Pond, Charlestown
• Willett Pond, East Providence.

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