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Rhode Island

Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater Fishing

State Records

Rhode Island Recreational State Records for Saltwater Species

Species

Weight

Length

Date

Location

Angler

Atlantic Mackerel

1 lb. 1.6 oz.

14 in.

11/1981

T. Rovinelli - Providence, RI

Bluefin Tuna

1142 lbs. 12 oz.

09/1971

Block Island

J. Dempsey

Bluefish

26 lbs.

08/1981

D. Deziel - Woonsocket, RI

Bonito

13 lbs.

10/1995

Westerly

R. Gliottone - Exeter, RI

Chub Mackerel

1.52 lbs.

14.75 in.

07/2022

Point Judith

A. Bierly - Catawissa, PA

Cod

71 lbs.

06/1965

M. Deciantis - Warwick, RI

False Albacore

16.2 lbs.

32 in.

09/2022

The Gully

T. Craig - Bronx, NY

Gray Triggerfish

4 lbs. 8 oz.

22 in.

10/2021

G. Castonguay - Berkley, MA

Hickory Shad

2 lbs. 11 oz.

20 in.

11/1989

Narrow River

M. Pickering - Lincoln, RI

Scup

5 lbs.

20.25 in.

10/1990

J. Yurwitz - Block Island, RI

Black Sea Bass

8 lbs. 7.25 oz.

26 in.

10/1981

Block Island

K. McDuffie - Pascoag, RI

Squeteague

16 lbs. 8.72 oz.

36 in.

05/2007

Greenwich Bay

R. Moeller - N. Kingstown, RI

Striped Bass

77 lbs. 6.4 oz.

52 in.

06/2011

Block Island

P. Vican - E. Greenwich, RI

Summer Flounder

17 lbs. 8 oz.

1962

Narrow River

G. Farmer - Warwick, RI

Tautog

22 lbs. 5.28 oz.

33 in.

10/2024

Newport

G. Simms - Hamilton, NJ

Winter Flounder

6 lbs. 7 oz.

23 in.

08/1990

Galilee

A. Pearson - Cranston, RI

Yellowfin Tuna

265 lbs.

6 ft.

10/1997

The Dip

R. Hughes - Arlington, MA

If you believe you’ve caught a new Rhode Island State Record, bring it to an official weigh-in station to be weighed and measured using a digital scale. State record catches are determined annually once all data are received for that year. For a complete list of state records and official weigh-in stations, visit the Rhode Island DEM Sportfish Records page.

How to Properly Measure a Fish

Total length: is the maximum length of the fish, from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. The best way to obtain this length is to push the fish’s snout up against a vertical surface with the mouth closed and the fish laying along or on top of a tape measure.

Measure to the tip of the tail to determine the total length. Do NOT use a flexible tape measure along the curve of the fish. When measuring black sea bass, do NOT include the tendril on the caudal fin.

The Correct Way to Determine Total Length Measurement

Illustration of a fish with a double-headed arrow indicating how to measure its total length from the snout to the tip of the tail.
Diagram showing how to measure the total length of a fish—measured in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin.
NOAA Fisheries boater safety poster advising vessel operators to protect whales, sea turtles, seals, and sturgeon by going slow, giving space, and reporting injured marine wildlife.
NOAA Fisheries reminds boaters to help prevent vessel collisions with protected species by reducing speed, keeping safe distances, and reporting injured marine animals. Scan the QR code to learn more about safe wildlife viewing in New England.