In his free time, Corvias founder John Picerne is an experienced angler who makes the most of the excellent fishing in his home state, Rhode Island. The Ocean State is a renowned fishing destination that offers a wide range of options for anglers, including surf casting, freshwater fishing, deep-sea fishing, and skiff fishing in shallow bays and inlets. John Picerne enjoys heading out into the ocean on his boat, where he chases everything from striped bass and Atlantic cod to bluefin tuna.
The Ocean State is a fitting nickname for Rhode Island: The sea is never more than a 30-minute drive from anywhere in the state. Despite Rhode Island’s small dimensions, it boasts around 400 miles of coastline, thanks to Narragansett Bay cutting deep into the mainland. The bay is New England’s largest estuary and is dotted with several islands.
Rhode Island is also home to several fish species that are either trophy-worthy or put up a great fight. The state is best known for its striped bass, tautog, and bluefish, but also has healthy populations (both resident and migratory) of Atlantic cod, flounder, and black sea bass. Due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream, Rhode Island gets a nice mix of both warm- and cold-water fish, with the different seasons providing different fishing experiences.
What’s Biting When
Spring is when the first striped bass arrive in the bays, along with winter flounder and tautog (blackfish). Summer is the prime season for summer flounder, yellowfin and bluefin tuna, bluefish, and striped bass, which move into deeper water. Late summer and fall are the best times for false albacore (albies), while striped bass and bluefish are still active and tautog are back in season after the June-July closure. And even winter has great fishing, with cod and tautog being the main saltwater targets. Trout, yellow perch, northern pike, and largemouth and smallmouth bass are all good freshwater options in the state’s inland reservoirs and ponds.
Rules to Remember
If you’re fishing in Rhode Island, make sure you understand the state regulations related to the various species and seasons. Open season for black sea bass runs from May 22 to December 31, while summer flounder can be caught from April 1 to December 31. Tautog season runs from April 1 through May 31 and August 1 through December 31, but is closed in June and July. Bluefish and striped bass can be caught all year round. Note that anglers must respect minimum size and maximum daily per-person catch limits, which can change depending on the season. Fishing for river herring and American shad is prohibited at all times. If you’re planning a fishing trip to Rhode Island, the following are some of the best places to cast a line.
Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay dominates Rhode Island’s geography and provides countless fishing areas across its 120 miles of water. The bay is easily accessed through cities such as Providence, Newport, Warwick, Bristol, and Narragansett, which allows anglers from all over the state easy access to waters teeming with fish—particularly in early season, when a number of species show up in the bay before heading to deeper water. In Narragansett, try Black Point Fishing Area; in Bristol, Colt State Park offers great surf casting and shore fishing on the eastern side of the bay.
Block Island
Located nine miles offshore in the Outer Lands coastal archipelago, Block Island and its surrounding waters are a popular destination—and starting point—for deep-sea anglers in pursuit of striped bass, bluefish, albies, and black sea bass. Fishing parties near Block Island also regularly hook brown sharks, which often compete with anglers for their catch. Although catch and release of these protected sharks is allowed, they cannot be taken from the water.
Stafford Pond
Rhode Island does not have many large lakes, and most of its freshwater bodies are manmade. Still, good fishing can be found at several ponds, like Stafford Pond near Tiverton. Anglers here often pursue rainbow and brook trout, which are stocked throughout the year. Other targets include largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.
Goat Island Connector
Connecting Newport and Goat Island, the causeway known as Goat Island Connector offers easy access to the water, making it a convenient spot for anglers looking for an easy fishing excursion without the effort of loading up a boat. In particular, the causeway is a popular place to catch squid.
Brenton Point State Park
Located in Newport at the tip of Aquidneck Island, Brenton Point State Park offers beautiful views of Narragansett Bay where it flows into the open Atlantic. It’s also a great place to spend the day surf casting or enjoying a family picnic while sneaking in a few casts of the reel.
Haines Memorial State Park
Yet another great option for saltwater fishing in Narragansett Bay, Haines Memorial State Park is located in Barrington. In addition to a lovely park and convenient coastal access, the park also features a boat ramp, making it an easy place to put a boat in for a fun day on the water.
Charters
Near-shore and offshore charters depart from several places in Rhode Island, including Newport, Narragansett, South Kingstown, Warwick, and Westerly. If you’re new to saltwater fishing or never fished in the region before, a charter is a good bet—they take care of the equipment, provide the knowledge about the best locations and techniques, and allow you to simply relax and fish.
