Freshwater Fishing Season Opens Saturday

Fishing enthusiasts around the state will be up before dawn this Saturday in anticipation of the start of freshwater fishing season.

The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish & Wildlife has announced that the beginning of the 2013 trout and general freshwater fishing season will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Apr. 13. More than 20,000 anglers are expected to turn out at dawn on opening day.

DEM has stocked up more than 100 ponds and streams across the state with 80,000 hatchery-raised brook, brown and rainbow trout with an average weight of 1.5 lbs. 

There are several trout-stocked waters in the Johnston area that will open on Saturday for the season:

• Dexter Pond (Scituate)
• Dolly Cole Brook (Foster)
• Geneva Brook & Pond (North Providence)
• Hopkins Mill Pond (Foster)
• J.L. Curran Reservoir (Cranston)
• Meshanticut Brook (Cranston)
• Mowry A.L. Pond (Smithfield)
• Pawtuxet River/Hope Mill Dam (Scituate)
• Ponaganset River (Foster)
• Seidel's Pond (Cranston)
• Woonasquatucket River (Smithfield)

For a complete list of trout-stocked waters, click here.

“For generations of Rhode Islanders, Opening Day is a traditional time to get out at dawn and head to a favorite fishing spot to experience the delight of catching the first trout of the season,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.  “Next Saturday, throughout Rhode Island, anglers of all ages will be enjoying the outdoors and fishing on ponds and lakes in search of the beautiful brook, brown and rainbow trout raised in DEM’s hatcheries.” 

Aside from offering Rhode Island residents an outdoor recreational activity, the freshwater fishing season also helps to boost the state's economy. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, residents and tourists spend more than $153 million annually in Rhode Island on trip and equipment-related expenditures for fishing.

Woonsocket's Cass Pond, Pawtucket's Slater Park Pond and Little Compton's Ponderosa Park Pond will be open April 13 and 14 for children only. Six other locations across the state have already been designated for children 14 years and younger. Fishing derbies will be held Saturday at Cass Pond, the Tri-City Elks Lodge/Warwick Elks Lodge (1414 West Shore Rd., Warwick) and Diamond Hill State Park in Cumberland.

For those 15 and older, a 2013 fishing license is required. A Trout Conservation Stamp is also needed for anyone wishing to keep or possess a trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or "fly-fishing only" area. Fishing licenses and stamps ($5.50) can be found at any city or town clerk's office or authorized agent, such as a bait and tackle shop, Walmart or Benny's. For a complete list of license vendors, click here.

License fees remain at $18 for Rhode Island residents and current members of the Armed Forces, $33 for a combination hunting and fishing license, $35 for non-residents, and $16 for a tourist three-consecutive-day license. Anglers over 65 must have a license, which for them is free, but do not need a trout stamp. The license is also free for anyone with a 100 percent disability.