Northern Pike Program

The History and Current State of Rhode Island’s Northern Pike Program

When you hear someone say pike fishing, do you think big toothy fish, bitten off lures, or ice fishing?

By Corey Pelletier, DFW Fisheries Biologist and Mark Gibson, Retired DFW Fisheries Biologist

Northern Pike are an incredible sportfish across much of the Northeast, upper Mid-West and beyond in the United States and throughout much of Europe. They are a popular target through the ice due to their feeding activity throughout the winter months, especially as they stage for spawning towards the end of February through March. They are sometimes a nuisance by-catch to bass anglers and sometimes a welcomed catch for those throwing a lightweight setup targeting panfish. Some anglers set out with the goal of catching pike on a fly rod, using large and colorful tied flies mimicking a large baitfish. Any way you look at it, they are a top predator in freshwater that can make for some of the most exciting catches for anglers alike. In some portions of their native range, mostly upper latitudes, within the United States, they are known to be a nuisance and their top-of-the-food-chain status is viewed as detrimental to other native species. In other states, typically lower latitudes (i.e. southern New England and south), natural resource agencies must stock pike to maintain catchable populations.

In Rhode Island, no evidence of natural reproduction has been found to date. The exact reasons are unknown but are likely because of low pH levels, poor spawning habitat, predation of eggs and fry, or a combination of factors. The Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) began a stocking program in the early 1960’s to not only provide recreational opportunity to anglers of the Ocean State, but also to help balance fish communities in select waterbodies. Pike are a longer-lived species in terms of lifespans of freshwater fish, in Rhode Island commonly ranging between 5 and 10 years and in rare cases up to 14 years. As the largest predatory species in the region, pike often reach lengths of 30 to 38 inches and weights of 10 to 15 pounds, with much less common catches of fish up to 25 pounds. When stocked as juveniles, pike will reach a catchable size in 2 to 3 years, and some will reach trophy sized in 8 to 10 years. The Rhode Island state record currently stands at 47.5 inches in length and a whopping 35 pounds, caught in 1987. Pike feed on a variety of prey with most prominent forage consisting of golden shiner, white perch, and alewife. Since stocking began, only five waterbodies within the state have been maintained including Waterman Reservoir in Gloucester, Stump Pond in Smithfield, Johnson’s Pond in Coventry, Worden Pond in South Kingstown, and Chapman Pond in Westerly. Despite stocking in these locations, pike have been found in other waterbodies in the state in low numbers, likely due to emigration from stocked waterbodies or from bordering states, as is the case in the Blackstone River.

The Northern Pike program in Rhode Island has had its share of ups and downs, relating to funding, staff shortages, and available sources of pike fry. From its inception in 1962 until 1992, based on survey and stocking data from Worden Pond, the program was at its peak. Pike were stocked and raised in a controlled marsh in Northern RI, which required a lot of staff time and resources, but proved successful. In 1993, the program ceased for a few years with no stocking until 1996 when DFW began purchasing pike fingerlings from out of state. Stocking was strong through 2006 when procurement of pike ended because of issues with the vendor. No pike were stocked between 2006 and 2013 and no surveys occurred between 1992 through 2013. Stocking began again in 2014 when surplus eggs were donated from the state of Pennsylvania. These eggs were hatched and reared in a Rhode Island hatchery. Surveys began again at this time in Worden Pond, indicating that the population was small with only large individuals, remnant from stocking efforts that ended in 2006. Between 2014 through 2020, surveys yielded between 3 and 7 individuals captured in fyke nets each year, most ranging between 5 and 10 years old.

In 2019, DFW began receiving pike fry by generous donation from New Jersey Fish and Wildlife. Fry are typically raised in the hatchery from March through June before being stocked out. Again, between 2020 and 2024, surveys had ceased although stocking had continued. In 2025, DFW began surveying Worden Pond again, which occurs soon after ice out between the months of February and March. Fyke nets, a type of trap net, are used to capture pike and are checked each day to count and measure individuals. Results from 2025 surveys indicate that stocking efforts from the past 10 years have been successful at increasing the population size. A total of 13 pike were captured in a two-week period, nearly double the total in half of the survey time from surveys 5 to 10 years prior. Lengths of fish captured in 2025 ranged from approximately 20 to 37 inches. These fish were retained, brought to the hatchery, spawned, and returned to Worden Pond. A combination of fry that were hatched from Worden Pond broodstock and fry donated from New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, were stocked in 2025 (total numbers stocked in 2025 are presented in Table 1). In recent years, stocking efforts have been focused at 3 of the 5 historically stocked ponds (locations listed in Table 1). This is due to the total number of pike available for stocking and to prioritize maintaining populations in waterbodies with the best public access.

Northern pike fishing in Rhode Island has seen its ups and downs but each year, a number of anglers are lucky enough to catch a trophy pike. This is evident based on photos submitted to DFW with grip and grin photo shots and anglers holding pike in excess of 3 feet. This unique fishery to Rhode Island provides a fun and exciting chance to harvest the Northeast’s largest freshwater gamefish. Us fisheries managers in Rhode Island’s Division of Fish and Wildlife hope to maintain this program and continue providing this opportunity. For now, let’s hope for safe ice for getting out and targeting these toothy fish during the slow winter months, and for continued success at maintaining healthy, catchable populations in the Ocean State. Please share your photos with us and maybe you will be featured in next year’s fishing abstract! largest freshwater gamefish. Us fisheries managers in Rhode Island’s Division of Fish and Wildlife hope to maintain this program and continue providing this opportunity. For now, let’s hope for safe ice for getting out and targeting these toothy fish during the slow winter months, and for continued success at maintaining healthy, catchable populations in the Ocean State. Please share your photos with us and maybe you will be featured in next year’s fishing abstract!

Stay Connected with the Division of Fish and Wildlife

• Sign up for our ‘Wild Rhode Island’ Newsletter to keep up-to-date with RI DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife. The full-color quarterly newsletter is available online only. For more information or to be added to our email list, please contact Sarah Riley at (401) 789-0281.
• Kids can sign up for the ‘Wild Rhode Island Explorer’, a quarterly magazine just for kids, available on-line or in full-color print. This publication features interviews with biologists, information about native species, and so much more! For more information or to sign up, email Mary Gannon.
• Monthly Fish and Wildlife Outreach email: Receive free, up-to-date information about fishing, hunting, and wildlife outreach events as well as Division volunteer opportunities. To sign up, please contact Kimberly Sullivan or Mary Gannon.
• Follow Rhode Island Fish and Wildlife Outdoor Education on Facebook for event updates, the latest stocking information, and to learn more about Rhode Island fish and wildlife species.
• Follow us on Instagram @ri.fishandwildlife.

Tips for Releasing Live Fish

If fish are to be taken as part of the daily creel limit, they should be killed immediately and kept cool until they can be prepared for the table. If an angler wishes to release a live fish, either because it is undersized or because they are practicing catch and release fishing, the following procedures are recommended:

1. Land the fish as quickly as possible to minimize stress to the fish. Playing a fish to the point of exhaustion will lessen its chance for survival.
2. Wet your hands before handling the fish; dry hands will remove the fish’s protective slime layer and leave the fish open to bacterial and fungal infections.
3. Handle the fish carefully. Do not use excessive force when grasping the fish. Do not put fingers into the gill cavities or eye sockets. A wet glove can be a useful aid in grasping the fish because it reduces the amount of pressure needed to hold the fish securely.
4. Gently remove the hook to minimize damage. A pair of long-nose pliers will make the job easier.
5. If you are intentionally practicing catch and release fishing, use artificial lures with single, barbless hooks, or circle hooks to minimize damage to the fish.
6. Do not attempt to remove a hook that is deeply embedded in the gullet. Instead, cut the line off as close to the hook as possible and release. The fish will have a better chance of survival if the hook is left in place; the hook will eventually disintegrate.
7. Return the fish to the water as quickly as possible. Lower it back into the water in an upright position and move it back and forth in the water to force water across its gills. Once the fish revives, allow it to swim away.