DEM STOCKS LOCAL WATERS WITH TROUT FOR COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is stocking ponds across Rhode Island with some 10,000 trout in advance of Columbus Day weekend – a popular time for recreational fishing. The number of waterbodies stocked will be limited given current drought conditions; if conditions improve, additional stocking will take place this fall.
The following waters will be stocked: Carbuncle Pond, Coventry; Olney Pond, Lincoln; Silver Spring Pond, North Kingstown; Barber Pond, South Kingstown; Round Top Ponds, Burrillville; Meadowbrook Pond, Cronan Landing, Lower Shannock Fishing Area, and Beaver River (Rt. 138), Richmond; Ponagansett Fishing Area, Foster; Wallum Lake, Burrillville; Wood River, Dow Field, Mechanic Street, Barberville, Wyoming Pond, and the Pawcatuck River, Hopkinton; and Potter Hill Landing, Westerly. For timely stocking information, follow DEM’s outdoor education page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/rioutdooreducation.
As part of a new initiative aimed at making larger, trophy-sized, hatchery-raised brown trout available to anglers, 400 brood stock brown trout with an average weight of 4 to 6 pounds will be stocked at Carbuncle Pond in Coventry beginning this fall. Anglers are encouraged to share photos of their catch on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rioutdooreducation.
As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in the state, fishing plays an important role in connecting people with nature, promoting health, attracting tourism, and supporting a treasured tradition for Rhode Island families. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there are approximately 175,000 recreational anglers (age 16+) in Rhode Island. And recreational fishing contributes more than $130 million to the economy each year.
A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are required to keep or possess a trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or fly-fishing only area. A trout stamp is not required for persons possessing trout taken from a lake or pond that shares a border with Rhode Island. The daily creel and possession limit for trout is five from April 9, 2017 through November 30, 2017; and two from December 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018; except in the Wood River between Route 165 and Barberville Dam at Arcadia Road where the daily creel limit is two trout from May 13, 2017 through February 28, 2018. State law requires that boaters always have personal flotation devices for each person, and that they do not drink and operate a boat. Boaters should also be sure their craft is seaworthy before going out on the state's waterways.
The use of external felt soled or any natural or synthetic porous material capable of absorbing water in any freshwaters in Rhode Island is strictly prohibited. This includes any waters shared with adjacent states in which Rhode Island fishing regulations apply. For more information or to purchase a license, visit www.dem.ri.gov.
At this time of the year, cyanobacteria or blue-green algae may be present in local lakes and ponds. People should avoid contact with these ponds. There is an advisory at St. Mary’s Pond in Middletown, Melville Ponds in Portsmouth, Stafford Pond in Tiverton, Pleasure Lake in Roger Williams Park in Providence, and J.L.Curran Reservoir in Cranston.
For a list of designated trout waters and information of interest to anglers visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM for timely updates.
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