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Rhode Island

Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater Fishing

Size, Season & Possession Limits

Species

Minimum Size

Open Season

Possession Limit

American Eel

9"

Open year round

25 eels/person/day or
50 eels/vsl/day for licensed party/charter vessels

Black Sea Bass (shore & private)

16.5”

May 22 - Aug. 26

2 fish/person/day

Aug. 27 - Dec. 31

3 fish/person/day

Black Sea Bass (party and charter)

16"

June 18 - Aug. 31

2 fish/person/day

Sept. 1 - Dec. 31

6 fish/person/day

Bluefish (shore and private / rental boat)

No minimum

Open year round

3 fish/person/day

Bluefish (party and charter)

No minimum

Open year round

5 fish/person/day

River Herring (alewives and blueback herring) & American Shad

Prohibited Species

Scup (private / rental boat)

10.5"

May 1 - Dec. 31

30 fish/person/day

Scup (shore)

9.5"

May 1 - Dec. 31

30 fish/person/day

Scup (party and charter)

10.5"

May 1 - Aug. 31

30 fish/person/day

Sept. 1 - Oct. 31

40 fish/person/day

Nov. 1 - Dec. 31

30 fish/person/day

Striped Bass *

Slot Limit:

Minimum Size 28”

Maximum Size <31”

Open year round

1 fish/person/day within the slot limit

Summer Flounder (general)

18"

May 3 - Dec. 31

4 fish/person/day

Summer Flounder (special shore)***

17" (See Possession Limit)

May 3 - Dec. 31

2 fish @ 17" person/day
2 fish @ 18" person/day

Tautog (Blackfish)
Max of 10 fish/ves/day during all periods, except licensed party / charter boats

16"

Max 1 fish >21"

Apr. 1 - May 31

3 fish/person/day

June 1 - July 31

CLOSED

Aug. 1 - Oct. 14

3 fish/person/day

Oct. 15 - Dec. 31

5 fish/person/day

Weakfish (Squeteague)

16"

Open year round

1 fish/person/day

Winter Flounder ** (Blackback)

12"

Mar. 1 - Dec. 31

2 fish/person/day