Do you know about the new RI fishing regulations for the 2024 season? Here they are
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management filed new regulations for the 2024 fishing season with the Secretary of State’s office. Anglers should take note that we have a striped bass filet law in place now that applies to all. Here are the highlights of the new regulations:
Black sea bass
Private anglers, 16.5 inch minimum size, two fish/person/day May 21 through Aug. 26 and three fish/person/day Aug. 27 to Dec. 31. Party and charter boats would have a 16 inch minimum size with a season that starts later, June 18 to Aug. 31 with two fish/person/day and from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31 a six fish/person/day limit.
Scup
There's an 11 inch minimum for boats and a 9.5 inch minimum size from shore. Private anglers, from May 1 to Dec. 31 have a 30 fish/person/day limit. The party/charter season would run May 1 to Aug. 31 with a 30 fish/person/day limit and a bonus season from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 with a 40 fish/person/ day, and from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 the limit goes back to 30 fish/person /day.
More: Ready for spring fishing? Here are 6 great early-season spots in Rhode Island to check out
More: Dropping a line in freshwater is a good way to fish in a comfort zone
Bluefish
Status quo — three fish/person/day for private anglers, and five fish/angler/day for party and charter boats. No minimum sizes, allows for a snapper blue fishery, however, it is still three fish per angler.
Tautog
Maximum of 10 fish/vessel/day (does not apply to charter boats). Minimum size 16 inches, April 1 to May 31, three fish/person/day; June 1 to July 31, season closed during spawning in RI; Aug. 1 to Oct. 14, three fish/person/day; Oct. 15 to Dec. 31, five fish/person/day. Only one fish may be above 21 inches.
Striped bass
A slot of one fish/person/day between 28 inches to less than 31 inches. Additional provisions recommended include the use of circle hooks when fishing recreationally with bait, striped bass caught on any unapproved method must be returned to the water immediately without unnecessary injury, and gaffs are prohibited when fishing for striped bass recreationally.
New this year is a striped bass recreational fileting law: Racks must be retained and must be kept whole, meaning the head, tail, and body remain intact; No striped bass shall be mutilated in a manner that prevents the accurate measurement of the fish; No more than two filets taken from legal striped bass representing the equivalent of one fish per angler; and no possession of racks or filets while actively fishing with lines in the water. Racks must be kept until vessels are secure to dock or removed from the water and filets have been offloaded. See regulations for details.
Summer Flounder (fluke) are experiencing overfishing so a 28-percent reduction in harvest is required to meet this reduction. RI has opted to increase the minimum size to 19 inches for 2024 (from 18 inches) with a season from April 1 to Dec. 31, and the possession limit is six fish per person per day.
There are Special Shore Angling Sites for summer flounder where anglers are allowed to take two 17-inch fish. The minimum size for the remaining four fish shall be 19 inches. See website for a list of special shore angling locations.
For more for details on the new regulations, visit the RI Secretary of State’s website.
Revolution Wind project presentation is April 25
The Better Bay Alliance and Ørsted Maine Affairs will hold a presentation and panel discussion on construction of the Revolution Wind farm on Thursday, April 25, 5 to 6 p.m. at Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, Newport. The event will include discussions on the construction of the nearshore power cable as it enters the bay from the windfarm. To register for the event visit Narragansett Bay Community Series: Revolution Wind Construction and Mariner Tickets, on Eventbrite.com
Industry professionals, environmental advocates, mariners or those simply curious about the future of offshore wind energy are invited to attend. The event will provide an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge and participate in discussions shaping the future of our oceans and energy landscape.
Where’s the bite?
Freshwater. Anglers are encouraged to get out and fish in Rhode Island and Massachusetts as waterways have been stocked with trout. I fished Beach Pond, which straddles Exeter, RI, and Voluntown, Conn. this week and hooked up with brown trout 16-18 inches. The strategy that worked was allowing my Kastmaster lure to flutter down before retrieving. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, said: “Trout waterways still producing for customers include Carbuncle Pond, Coventry and Olney Pond, Lincoln Woods.”
Saltwater. East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said: “School bass are coming into the canal from Buzzards Bay and some small tautog have been landed.”
“Migrating striped bass with lice on them are in Narragansett Bay. The herring came into the bay, followed by Atlantic menhaden and then the striped bass were right behind them this week. Anglers are catching them in the Providence River, at Haines Park in East Providence and at the breachways along our southern coastal shore. The tautog bite is starting to pick up for customers too,” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle.
Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackel, Charlestown said about spring bass migrating: “I usually search for structures that are located according to our predominate SW wind. These structures tend to hold bait and make great feeding grounds for migratory fish. Some of these sites include the West Wall, the western sides of the Breachway, and the area in front of Ocean Mist.”
Dave Monti holds a master captain’s license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: New fishing season brings new fishing regulations in Rhode Island
