Trout Fishing Season kicks off

Joe Studley,
An angler holds a rainbow trout. (File: Terry Gunn Via AP)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Saturday is the opening day for trout fishing season.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has stocked hundreds of freshwater locations with 60,000 fish ranging from brook, brown, rainbow and golden rainbow trout.

“Opening Day is a spring tradition for thousands of Rhode Islanders who head out on the second Saturday of April to a favorite fishing spot to reel in their first trout of the season,” said DEM Director Terry Gray in a press release.

A 2025 fishing license is required for anglers 15-years of age and older along with a Trout Conservation Stamp to keep or possess trout. Trout stamps are not required for anyone possessing trout taken from a lake or pond that’s shares a border with Rhode Island.

DEM would also like to remind anglers of Freshwater Fishing Regulations:

  • Fishing in trout stocked waters begins at 6AM on Saturday, April 12th
  • The daily creel/possession limit for trout and/or landlocked domestic salmon singly or in aggregate, is five from April 12, 2025 through November 30, 2025, however two salmon may be possessed per day. The number is reduced to two December 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026.
  • The creel/possession limit for trout or charr, taken in the Wood River between Route 165 Arcadia Check Station and Barberville Dam at Arcadia Road is two fish from the second Saturday in May through the last day of February 2026.
  • The minimum size limit for domestic, (landlocked) Atlantic Salmon is 11-inches.
  • The portion of the Falls River, from the bridge at Austin Farm Road to the bridge at Brook Trail is a catch and release area.
  • The portion of the confluence of the Beaver River and the Pawcatuck River, upstream to New London Turnpike is designated as a catch and release area.

Additionally, any anglers who catch a golden rainbow trout on Opening Day and through May 6th will be eligible to receive a golden trout pin. All you need to do is snap a picture and email it to dem.fishri@gme.ri.gov for verifications.

For more information on Trout Fishing Season, click here.

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