Ponds are stocked — Ready to fish?

It’s opening day Saturday, and we’re ready to fish with fully stocked trout ponds in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) updated their website with the 100-plus waterways that have been stocked with brown, brook, rainbow and golden trout for opening day this Saturday, April 11, at 6 a.m.

For freshwater fishing information, trout stocking status and licenses in Massachusetts, visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov; and in Rhode Island, www.dem.ri.gov/fishing. 

Waterways fully stocked in both states make catching trout easy this time of year. So get out and fish, and take a family member or friend with you.

Kenneth ‘KC’ Fernstorm, senior biologist and trout hatchery manager for the Fish & Wildlife Division of DEM, said, “The trout we stocked in 100 waterways prior to opening day are larger today than ever before, averaging 1.4 pounds and about 14 to 16 inches.”

In Rhode Island, the minimum size for trout is eight inches (8”), and the daily creel or possession limit is five, from April 11 through Nov. 36, and two from Dec. 1 through Feb. 28, 2027.

“It was very challenging this year with all the ice and cold water. We were a week behind, but now have caught up and are ready for opening day,” said Fernstorm. “For the past few years, we have stocked all 60,000 fish before opening day, providing anglers with an abundance of fish for opening day. We stock to abundance so the chances are good that adults and children will catch fish on opening day.”

In Massachusetts, regulations are different and fishing in many waterways is already underway. In lakes, ponds and major waterways designated on their website, three fish may be taken year-round from these select major waterways. However, on all other rivers and brooks, eight fish may be taken from April 1 to Sept. 10, and three fish from Sept. 11 to March 31. There is no minimum size for trout unless otherwise noted at Freshwater fishing regulations | Mass.gov .

Outstanding largemouth bass bite

The largemouth bass bite has been very good, too. Expert angler and charter captain Brandon Hagopian of Cranston said, “Swimbaits and swim jigs are working well for me with largemouth bass. If you’re close to a herring run, focus on bigger lures and match the hatch with colors such as blue and silver. With more water flow this time of year caused by rain, higher tides, etc., the waters sometimes become stained or murky, so don’t be afraid to throw brighter colors such as chartreuse, glow, or my favorite, white.”

Kids Fly Fishing Day

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, led by expert fly instructor Ed Lomarbo and volunteers, will hold a Kids Fly Fishing Day on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for children 11 to 15 years old at Addieville East Farm, 200 Pheasant Drive, Mapleville, R.I.  The program is being offered at no cost to participants, lunch included for parents, guardians and children. To register, email sean.martin.CTR@dem.ri.gov .

Where’s the bite?

Freshwater fishing. Ryan Collins of My Fishing Cape Cod, said, “Brown, rainbow, and brook trout have all been biting at Cape Cod kettle ponds. Members have been posting trout and largemouth bass catches, and Grant Stark delivered one of the more exciting recent entries — a healthy holdover striper pushing 30 inches.”

In Rhode Island, opening day of trout is this Saturday. Ponds are stocked to the brim with trout and the largemouth bass bite, as noted above, is very, very good.

Saltwater

Fishing for holdover striped bass in our estuaries is continuing to improve as water warms. This past weekend, expert fly fishing guide Ed Lombardo and his fishing partner Dennis Pelletier did well fishing for striped bass on Narrow River, Narragansett. Ed said, “Last week we fished Narrow River from morning into the afternoon both incoming and then outgoing tides. We landed several nice striped bass; all fish were successfully released. My Ed’s Fly in Hot Pink and Wine Color Marabou worked well.”

Tautog fishing season is open April 1 to May 31, with a three fish/person/day limit and a 16” minimum size, only one fish may be greater than 21.” There is a maximum of 10 fish per vessel that does not apply to charter/party boats. The season closes from June 1 to July 31 and then reopens on Aug. 1. Massachusetts regulations are essentially the same except one fish/person/day is allowed from June 1 to July 31.

Although tautog season is open, the bite will need to heat up. Last week the water temperature in Narragansett was 39 degrees, and for the tautog bite to turn on, the water should be between 48 to 62 degrees.

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 .