2011 Rhode Island Size and Bag Limits of Saltwater Gamefish

Home

Game Fish

2011 Rhode Island Size and Possession Limits of Saltwater Gamefish (Recreational)

NEW LAW IN 2010 – In order to fish recreationally in Rhode Island marine waters, and in offshore federal waters, anglers and spearfishers must have a RI Recreational Saltwater Fishing License, OR a Federal Registration, OR a license from a reciprocal state (e.g., Connecticut or New York).

Online: www.saltwater.ri.gov or in person at participating vendors throughout RI & MA [PDF List]

GO TO: Non-Game Species

Species

Image

Limit (person/day)-Minimum Size

American Eel

[Anguilla rostrata]

50 fish - 6 inch minimum
(no closed season)

American Plaice
(a.k.a Dab)

[Hippoglossoides platessoides]

no possession limit - 14 inch minimum
(no closed season)

Black Sea Bass

[Centropristis striata]

CLOSED

Details about Black Sea Bass

Bluefish

[Pomatomus saltatrix]

15 fish - No minimum size
(no closed season)

Cod

[ Gadus morhua]

10 fish - 22 inch minimum
(no closed season)

Massachusetts Official State Fish

Fluke
(a.k.a Summer Flounder)

[Paralichthys dentatus]

7 fish - 18.5 inch minimum size
May 1 - Dec. 31

Haddock

[ Melanogrammus aeglefinus]

no possession limit - 19 inch minimum
(no closed season)

Monkfish
(a.k.a. Goosefish)

[Lophius americanus]

50 lbs tails/day - 17 inch whole, 11 inch tail
(no closed season)

Pollock

[Pollachius pollachius]

no possession limit - (19 inch minimum)
no closed season)

Scup
(a.k.a. Porgy)

[Stenotomus chrysops]

Shore and Private Boat
10 fish - 10.5 inch minimum
May 24 to Sept. 26

Party and Charter Boat
10 fish - 11 inch minimum - June 8 - Sept. 6 -
40 fish Sept 7 - Oct 11

Details about Scup

Striped Bass

[Morone saxatilis]

2 fish - 28 inch minimum
(no closed season)

RI Official State Fish

Tautog
(a.k.a. Blackfish)

[ Tautoga onitis]

Split Seasons
Season 1: April 15-May 31 - 3 fish

June 1-July 31: CLOSED

Season 2: August 1 - Oct. 14 - 3 fish

Season 3: Oct. 15 - Dec. 15 - 6 fish

16 inch minimum

Weakfish
(a.k.a. Squeteague)

[Cynoscion regalis]

1 fish - 16 inch minimum
(no closed season)

Winter Flounder
(a.k.a. Blackback)

[Pleuronectes americanus]

Split Season
2 fish 12 inch minimum
Season 1: April 23 - May 22

Season 2: Sept. 24 - Oct. 23

Witch Flounder
(a.k.a.Gray Sole)

[Glyptocephalus cynoglossus]

no possession limit - 14 inch minimum
(no closed season)

The harvesting or possession of winter flounder is PROHIBITED in Point Judith Pond, The Harbor of Refuge and Narragansett Bay north of the lines from So. Ferry Rd. in Narragansett to Ft. Getty; Ft. Wetherill to Ft. Adams; and Sandy Pt. to High Hill Pt.

Yellowtail Flounder

[Limanda ferruginea]

no possession limit - 13 inch minimum
(no closed season)