Check ice before fishing or skating, ponds stocked with trout

By CAPT. DAVE MONTI
Posted 1/28/25

Now that it is cold all need to be mindful of ice on ponds and lakes that may look safe but is not. Check with local cities and towns to find out if ice is safe to fish or skate on and use the safety …

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Check ice before fishing or skating, ponds stocked with trout

Posted

Now that it is cold all need to be mindful of ice on ponds and lakes that may look safe but is not. Check with local cities and towns to find out if ice is safe to fish or skate on and use the safety tips offered on state websites before you walk out on ice.
Ice must have a uniform thickness of at least six inches before it is considered safe by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. It generally takes at least five to seven consecutive days of temperatures in the low 20s. However, safe ice is determined by several factors such as the size and depth of a pond, presence of springs or currents, and local temperature fluctuations.
For safe ice tips visit www.mass.gov/service-details/ice-strength-and-safety. In Rhode Island, visit the DEM Division of Parks and Recreation 24-hour ice information line at 401.667.6222. A safe ice guide can be found at www.riparks.com. As of Monday morning, no RI State Park ponds or lakes were declared safe by the State.

Ponds stocked with trout
The State of Massachusetts has a great interactive make that lets you know what ponds were stocked and when. For example, Whiting Pond and Falls Pond in North Attleborough were stocked in September. For a complete list of trout stocked ponds in Massachusetts visit Mass Wildlife at Trout stocking report | Mass.gov.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is conducting winter trout and salmon stocking. Stocking will be in selected areas weather permitting and began this week.
Starting January 21 Rhode Island planned to stock a total of thirteen ponds. As of Monday morning, January 27, the State’s website related Carbuncle Pond, Coventry; Meadow Brook Pond, Richmond; Watchaug Pond, Charlestown; Wyoming Pond, Hope Valley; Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown; Barber Pond, South Kingstown; and Round Top Ponds, Burrillville had been stocked. Visit Designated Trout Waters | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for daily updates.

Fisheries Commission to meet
February 4 and 5
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 2025 Winter Meeting will be held February 4 – 5, 2025 at The Westin Crystal City, Arlington, VA. This will be a hybrid meeting (both in-person and remote) to allow for participation by Commissioners and interested stakeholders.
The ASMFC manages many of the species anglers like to catch, eat and/or release including summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, bluefish and striped bass.
Of particular interest to anglers will be the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board meeting taking place Tuesday, February 4 , 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Two key items on the agenda include a review of the proposed 2027 Benchmark Stock Assessment schedule as well as a discussion on the scope of Draft Amendment II for 2026 striped bass measures which will determine regulations for 2026. Regulations for this year (2025) will be the same as last year, one fish/person/day at a slot size of 28” to less than 31”.
Visit 2025 Winter Meeting Materials Combined for meeting materials and to live-stream the meeting visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1665035982583617623
(Webinar ID 606-647-923); and to call in dial +1 (562) 247-8422, access code 709-788-873.

Offshore wind put on hod except for approved projects, new
BOEM guidelines
This week President Trump issued an executive order to temporarily halt offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and pause approvals, permits and loans for both onshore and offshore wind projects. Off Massachusetts and Rhode Island waters, windfarms that are already being built or have received final approval will likely continue to be built such as Revolution Wind and Vineyard Wind (now under construction); and South Coast Wind south of Nantucket, which recently received final approval from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
The Associated Press reported this week, “The interior secretary will review wind leasing and permitting practices for federal waters and lands. The assessment will consider the environmental impact of wind projects on wildlife, the economic costs associated with the intermittent generation of electricity, and the effect of subsidies on the viability of the wind industry.”
The order does not pertain to projects in State waters such as the Block Island Wind Farm that has been operating for a few years now.
Also, last week The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has finalized guidance aimed at mitigating the impacts of offshore wind energy projects on commercial and for-hire recreational fisheries. BOEM’s final guidance provides a national framework for addressing social and economic impacts on the fishing industry affected by offshore wind development.
This comprehensive final guidance, informed by extensive public input, establishes clear processes for the offshore wind industry to address potential disruptions to fisheries. It ensures consistency and promotes fair treatment of fishers, regardless of their home or landing port.
The guidance emphasizes early engagement and transparency with fishing communities, encouraging lessees to document interactions. Recommendations in the guidance address design considerations, safety protocols, and financial compensation processes. Compensation measures extend through construction, early operations, and decommissioning, ensuring comprehensive coverage for affected fisheries.
For more information about the guidance, visit BOEM’s website at: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/reducing-or-avoiding-impacts-offshore-wind-energy-fisheries

Where’s the bite?
Cod. Last week Fishing Machine Charters, Pt. Judith, RI at www.fishingmachinecharters.com hooked up with cod in the Cox Ledge wind farm area. Capt. Mike O’Grady said, “We put together a nice catch of cod and choggies with even a few pollack. We will be sailing open boat cod and choggies trips thru the winter when the weather allows us.” So, if you are interested in getting out on a boat to fish cod is a good option. In addition to Capt. O’Grady’s open boat, large party boats are fishing too. Vessels generally sail between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. and return in the afternoon. Visit www.islandcurrent.com and www.francesfleet.com.Fishing. Full day rates for vessels are generally $130 to $135 per adult and around $80 for those under 12 years old.
Freshwater fishing. This recent cold spell will be great for ice fishers. Cold weather will continue to freeze things over. Beech Pond in Exeter, RI and Voluntown, RI continues to have fishable ice with anglers putting their time in and catching fish there. For a complete list of trout stocked ponds in Massachusetts and Rhode Island see links in above article.
Dave Monti holds a master captain’s license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.

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