2011 Rhode Island Size and Bag Limits of Saltwater Gamefish

Weather & Tides

Fishing Reports

2022 Rhode Island Size and Possession Limits of Saltwater Gamefish (Recreational)

RHODE ISLAND FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION

The saltwater license is reciprocal with New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine. You can buy a 3-day non-resident Freshwater tourist license (3 consecutive days), a 7 day saltwater license, and a 14-day tourist shellfish license.

Online: www.saltwater.ri.gov or in person at participating vendors throughout RI & MA [PDF List]

GO TO: Non-Game Species

Species

Image

Limit (person/day)-Minimum Size

American Eel

[Anguilla rostrata]

American Eel

25 eels/person/day - 9 inch minimum
(no closed season)

American Plaice
(a.k.a Dab)

[Hippoglossoides platessoides]

No possession limit - 14 inch minimum
(no closed season)

Black Sea Bass

[Centropristis striata]

Black Sea Bass

From 5/22 to 8/31 - 2 fish/person/day
From 9/1 to 12/31- 3 fish/person/day 16 inch minimum

Details about Black Sea Bass

Bluefish

[Pomatomus saltatrix]

Bluefish

3 fish - No minimum size
(no closed season)

Cod

[ Gadus morhua]

Cod Fish

10 fish - 21 inch minimum
(no closed season)

Massachusetts Official State Fish

Fluke
(a.k.a Summer Flounder)

[Paralichthys dentatus]

Fluke

7 fish - 18 inch minimum size
May 3 to Dec. 31 - 4 fish/person/day

Haddock

[ Melanogrammus aeglefinus]

Haddock

Open season, no possession limit - 18 inch minimum

Monkfish
(a.k.a. Goosefish)

[Lophius americanus]

50 lbs tails/day - 17 inch whole, 11 inch tail
(no closed season)

Pollock

[Pollachius pollachius]

Pollock

Open season, no possession limit - (19 inch minimum)

Scup
(a.k.a. Porgy)

[Stenotomus chrysops]

Porgy

Shore and Private Boat

30 fish - 10 inch minimum
May 24 to Sept. 26

Details about Scup

Striped Bass

[Morone saxatilis]

Striped Bass

1 fish - 28 inch minimum
(no closed season)

RI Official State Fish

Tautog
(a.k.a. Blackfish)

[ Tautoga onitis]

Tautog

Split Seasons

Season 1: April 1 - May 31 - 3 fish

June 1-July 31: CLOSED

Season 2: August 1 - Oct. 14 - 3 fish

Season 3: Oct. 15 - Dec. 31 - 5 fish

16 inch minimum

Weakfish
(a.k.a. Squeteague)

[Cynoscion regalis]

Weakfish

1 fish - 16 inch minimum
(no closed season)

Winter Flounder
(a.k.a. Blackback)

[Pleuronectes americanus]

Winter Flounder

2 fish 12 inch minimum
Season: March 1 - Dec 31

The harvesting or possession of Winter flounder is PROHIBITED in Point Judith Pond, The Harbor of Refuge and Narragansett Bay north of the lines from So. Ferry Rd. in Narragansett to Ft. Getty; Ft. Wetherill to Ft. Adams; and Sandy Pt. to High Hill Pt.

Witch Flounder
(a.k.a.Gray Sole)

[Glyptocephalus cynoglossus]

Open season, no possession limit - 14 inch minimum
(no closed season)

Yellowtail Flounder

[Limanda ferruginea]

Open season, no possession limit - 13 inch minimum
(no closed season)