Last week I was pleasantly surprised to see U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner from Rhode Island hosting an issues form with other U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Members titled “Attacks on NOAA threaten American Communities and Economies.”  

During this forum, the Members examined the dangerous consequences of the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign to dismantle the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Members and panelists warned that Trump and Musk’s attacks are calculated moves to silence scientists, privatize public services, and reward tax breaks to billionaires at the expense of the American people.

“Fishing is part of who we are in Rhode Island—and data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on weather, fish stocks, and more plays a critical role in protecting lives and livelihoods in the Ocean State,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “I was proud to bring voices together and host today’s forum with House Natural Resources Committee Democrats to elevate local challenges and shine a light on the reckless cuts to NOAA by Trump and Musk that hurt the Ocean State and its coastal economy.”

The second pleasant forum surprise for me was that Sarah Schumann, Rhode Island and Alaskan commercial fisher, and Owner/Principal Consultant, Shining Sea Fisheries Consulting, LLC was the lead fisheries panelist at the forum.  

Schumann, said, “All of the ambitious and visionary things that fishermen desperately need, the faster, more collaborative data collection and decision-making, the greater attention to the multitude of stressors affecting fishery habitats, the supports for young people to enter and thrive in fishing careers, will be vastly more difficult to achieve with a diminished and distressed NOAA workforce.”

The form also included comments from committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman of California who said, “Commercial and recreational fishers have stories to tell about the impacts these policies have on their day-to-day lives and their families’ futures. Sarah Schumann highlighted some of these stories at the forum, and there are so many more fishers out there who can and should speak their truth to power while we still have a shot at turning this chaos around.” 

Hats off to Rep Huffman for holding the NOAA forum and for Rep. Magaziner for doing a great job hosting. Rep. Magaziner’s leadership makes me, fishers and all Rhode Islanders proud.

Trout season opens 

this Saturday.  Go Fish!

Rhode Island and Massachusetts have stocked waterways with a variety of trout which makes catching them easy this time of year. Freshwater fishing is a good way to start fishing as anglers of all ages can fish from the safety and comfort of a pond, lake or river bank.  

The trout season in Rhode Island opens this Saturday, April 12. Most waterways in Massachusetts were already open before this date.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has stocked over 60,000 brook, brown, rainbow and golden rainbow trout and Massachusetts stocks over 500,000 fish each year.

Kenneth “Casey” Fernstrom, DEM Senior Biologist and manager of the four trout hatcheries in Rhode Island said, “We are stocking with larger fish this year, most are between 14” and 18”, however, the 20 plus inch fish are more abundant, particularly the golden trout we stocked this year.”

Anglers who catch a golden rainbow trout on Opening Day and through May 6 will be eligible to receive a golden trout pin. Simply take a picture and email it to dem.fishri@dem.ri.gov for verification. Submissions must be received no later than Monday, May 5, 2025. 

“State law requires boaters to have personal flotation devices (PFDs) for each person and a newer regulation is that all operators and passengers of canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and any other paddle craft must always wear a PFD, regardless of age,” said Deputy Chief Michael Schipritt of DEM’s Law Enforcement Divion. “Anglers are reminded to protect themselves from hypothermia. Do not be fooled by warm fishing weather in the spring as the water is very cold in the 50 degree range so respect that and take precautions. Boaters are also asked to make sure their vessels are check out, are in good working order and safe as opening day is the first time many anglers are using their boats for the season.”

A 2025 fishing license is required for anglers 15 years of age and older. A Trout Conservation Stamp is also required of anyone wishing to keep or possess a trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or “fly-fishing only” area in Rhode Island. 

The daily creel/possession limit for trout and/or landlocked domestic salmon singly or in aggregate, is five from April 12, 2025, through Nov. 30, 2025, however, only two salmon may be possessed per day. The number is reduced to two Dec. 1, 2025, to Feb. 28, 2026.  

For complete regulations, a list of stocked ponds, and a copy of the RI Freshwater Fishing Regulations and Guide visit Fish & Wildlife | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and in Massachusetts visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov.

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass fishing in salt ponds, rivers and waterways continues to be very good with anglers catching holdover striped bass to 34”. 

Cod Fishing is still open as new regulations have been delayed due to the new Federal rule making executive order, agencies must reduce regulations by ten to introduce every new one. This executive order needs to exempt fishing (as it did in the last President Trump administration) as fisheries open and close regularly based on quotas. 

Rick Bellavance, chairman of the New England Fishery Management Council and president of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association said, “Since the fishing year starts on May 1, and the new regulations may not be ready to start the year, NOAA is trying to develop an emergency action that will basically implement the councils desired management plans. NOAA is hoping to be able to implement the emergency action prior to May 1st, but that is not a sure thing. I will most likely learn more at the Mid-Atlantic Council meeting. If the emergency action is not successful, the current understanding is the fishery closes.”

Freshwater fishing. Opening day for trout season in Rhode Island is Saturday, April 12, largemouth bass fishing has been good. 

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@verizon.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.