Trout fishing is the ticket in April 

Rhode Island and some Massachusetts lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams designated as trout-stocked waters are currently closed for fishing. However, the season opens in waterways on Saturday, Apr. 12, 2025 and runs through Feb. 28, 2026. More to come in the next week or two on opening day Apr. 12.  

For licenses and trout/salmon waterway stocking information in Rhode Island visit www.dem.ri.gov/fishing, and in Massachusetts www.mass.gov/service-details/trout-stocking-report. 

Marine Fisheries Council meets to consider regulations 

The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council will meet to consider some 2025 commercial and recreational regulations at an in-person and online hybrid meeting 6 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2025, at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography Bay Campus, Coreless Auditorium, 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett. 

The council makes fishing regulation recommendations to DEM, with Terrance Gray, DEM Director, approving 95 percent of the council’s regulation recommendations. 

Issues before the council on Mar. 26 that impact recreational anglers include regulations on how to measure the length of striped bass, recreational quahog harvest in the Providence River Shellfish Management Area, commercial management of Atlantic menhaden in Narragansett Bay, cobia regulations, and allowing striped bass to be harvested commercially that are caught in gill nets which would be a change. 

The Rhode Island special management area in Narragansett Bay for Atlantic menhaden has been a model for programs nationally. The program includes weekly (sometimes daily) aerial stock assessments to determine whether the Bay is open or closed to commercial fishing. There are several commercial fishing industry proposals being considered at the Council meeting that would in effect dismantle the program to allow more Atlantic menhaden to be taken in the Bay. 

For years anglers have advocated for eco-system-based management for the species to provide enough bio bass in the Bay not only to sustain the fishery but to serve the ecological needs of fish and birds such as striped bass, bluefish, whales, osprey, etc. 

The meeting can be joined in person or by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84251491284?pwd=zG97WBcHqvXiZrT3bVRtL7u2LQ0pfi.1  Meeting ID: 842 5149 1284 Passcode: 165864 Dial in: 1-929-205-6099 (listen only). 

For agenda details with support documents on the meeting visit the calendar page for Mar. 26 at https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/marine-fisheries/calendar.

Fly fishing in some of New England’s best trout streams 

If you want the inside scoop on how to fly fish some of the best trout streams in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut you will not want to miss “Fishing the Dry Fly on Some of New England’s Best Trout Streams.” The presentation will be given by fly fishing expert and guide Ed Lombardo at the RI Trout Unlimited seminar on Wednesday, Mar. 26, 6:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 42 Gooseneck Hill Road, West Greenwich, Rhode Island. 

Ed Lombardo will share tactics and strategies he has successfully used for years to catch trout. And he will show how to read the water, dry fly imitations he uses as well as the equipment, rods, reels, fly line and leaders he uses. 

The public is welcome. For information and to RSVP contact rhodeislandtu@gmail.com. 

Kid's Day, an introduction to fly fishing 101 

The Aquatic Education Resource Education program of RI DEM will hold a kid’s day, an introduction to fly fishing on Saturday, Apr. 19, 2025, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Addieville East Farm, 200 Pheasant Drive, Mapleville, RI. 

This introductory class is designed for young people ages 10 to 15. Students will learn about the equipment needed to fly fish, how to tie flies, how to cast a fly rod, safe and responsible fishing techniques. Lunch is provided. A parent or guardian must be present for the duration of the class.  

All equipment will be provided including fly rod and reel outfits. The program is free for those registering in advance. Space is limited.  

Please email kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.govto register. 

Where’s the bite? 

Cod.  Party boat fishing and a few smaller charter boats continue to fish for cod south of Cape Cod and off Rhode Island waters. Visit Fishing Machine Charters, Pt. Judith, RI at www.fishingmachinecharters.com; www.islandcurrent.com and www.francesfleet.com.Fishing. Full day rates for party boat vessels are generally $130 to $135 per adult and around $80 for those under 12 years old. 

Freshwater fishing.  Opening day is Saturday, Apr. 12 for information and stocked ponds in Massachusetts visit Mass Wildlife at Trout stocking report | Mass.gov and in Rhode Island visit Designated Trout Waters | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Angler John Migliori of Aquidneck Island who has been targeting largemouth bass, said last week, “Today seems like it is the best day of March so far, and I took advantage of it by catching a very respectable 20 inch, 4.10 pound largemouth bass on my third cast with a spinner bait.” 

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.