Opening Day of the freshwater fishing season in Rhode Island was Saturday, April 9. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) stocked 100 waterways many with brook, brown, tiger and rainbow trout as well as Sebago salmon in select areas.

Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, said, “Anglers caught trout in all stocked ponds. The turnout was good even though the weather did not cooperate with rain Saturday and cold and windy conditions Sunday.” Henault said, “Prior to opening day the largemouth bass bite has been good in the shallows with anglers catching white perch in brackish saltwater and freshwater at Narrow River, Narragansett and Turner Reservoir, East Providence/Seekonk area.”

Kevin Tierney of Burriville who fished with his stepsons Camryn Lions and Geo Curtis at Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown, said, “We have been here since 5:30 a.m. and the action has been fairly steady.  Both of the boys caught a fish and so far we caught a total of seven fish, two of them are golden trout. What more can you ask for?” The trio fished with two of the boy’s uncles, Phil Mockler and Matt Clemishaw, both of Warwick.

Hatchery -raised golden rainbow trout, a color variation of a rainbow trout, provided an exciting angling experience with golden trout pins awarded to those that catch these fish the first three weeks after opening day.  Simply take a picture and send it to dem.fishri@dem.ri.gov with contact information to be eligible for the pin.

John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside, said, “A lot of golden trout and salmon were caught right here at Willet Avenue Pond. I went by at 4 a.m. on Saturday and there were a ton of anglers already waiting to fish.  Business opening day was outstanding, one of the best ever.”

Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown, said, “Business was brisk all week in anticipation for opening day. But this morning (Saturday) with intermittent showers, traffic was a bit slow but picked up as the weather cleared.”

For licensing and stocking information visit www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/freshwater-fisheries/index.php.

Massachusetts began stocking in March and continued as weather conditions permitted. The freshwater fishing season in Massachusetts opened January 1 or April 1 depending on location. For information on regulations, licenses and an interactive map on stocking visit Freshwater fishing regulations | Mass.gov.

More cod and blacksea bass at wind farm

A seven year study on fish in the Block Island Wind Farm and in control areas south and east of the wind farm shows no difference in catch due to the operation of the windfarm with most species and an increase in cod and black sea bass in the wind farm area.  The study conducted trawl surveys monthly before, during and after construction through operation for a total of seven years.

The study published March 29, 2022 in the ICES Journal of Marine Science.

A total of 663,970 individual fish representing 61 species were collected in the seven years of the BIWF demersal trawl survey.

Species attracted to wind farm pylon structure, like Atlantic cod and black sea bass, increased at the wind farm after installation while the catch of other species like longfin squid and winter flounder varied consistent with regional trends independent of the wind farm.

Drew Carey of Inspire Environmental who designed the study said, “This unprecedented study was cooperatively designed by commercial fishermen and scientists to gather the highest frequency of data over the longest time period of any study in the world. These results will provide valuable information for planning future offshore wind development in the United States.”

Enhanced Atlantic cod and black sea bass at the wind farm occurred even though fishing pressure has dramatically increased.  The Block Island Wind Farm has become a fishing destination for many recreational anglers.  On an average summer weekend day ten to fifteen boats would be fishing in the area, compared to the 30 to 40 boats fishing there now after construction.

Where’s the bite?

Freshwater

“Peter’s Pond in Sandwich and other trout stocked ponds in Massachusetts are producing for anglers.” said Bruch Miller of Canal Bait & Tackle, Sagamore. “Anglers were doing well fishing for pickerel and largemouth bass before opening day and the trout fishing at stocked ponds opening day was very good. This year, we are an official State of Rhode Island weigh station.” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick

Saltwater

Tautog season opened April 1.  Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle said, “We sold crabs this weekend to anglers targeting tautog but no reports yet of major fish being caught.”  “The tautog bite was not good this weekend.  Customers who are avid fisherman fishing for tautog came up short with just one keeper. Most fish caught were undersized. The water is still in the 40’s and should be about 50 degrees before the tautog bite intensifies.” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle.

Striped bass.  Bruce Miller of Canal Bait & Tackle, Sagamore, said, “We have reports of some school bass being caught at Craigville Beach.” Ed Lombardo, expert fly fisherman and fishing guide said, “The fishing has been very good in March with a good number of striped bass landed and released. The bass have ranged in the 18 to 26-inch class. My brown colored Ed’s Fly has been working very well. I recommend brown color flies right now which imitates mummichogs.” 

Dave Monti holds a captain’s master 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.