DEM Stocking 11 Freshwater Ponds with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Salmon for Winter Fishing Starting January 17

Published on Tuesday, January 16, 2024

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that it will be stocking 11 freshwater ponds with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Sebago Salmon starting Wednesday, Jan. 17 and continuing through Friday, Jan. 19.



DEM will be stocking the following waterbodies: 

  • Melville Ponds, Portsmouth
  • Simmons Mill Pond, Little Compton
  • Stafford Pond, Tiverton
  • Willett Pond, East Providence
  • Barbers Pond, South Kingstown
  • Wyoming Pond, Hopkinton
  • Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown
  • Meadowbrook Pond, Richmond
  • Watchaug Pond, Charlestown
  • Round Top Ponds, Burrillville
  • Peck Pond, Burrillville

Daily stocking updates will be available each afternoon. Please visit DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife's Facebook Page, visit www.dem.ri.gov/fishing for more information on stocking. Information about stocked freshwaters, size and creel limits for all freshwater fish species is available in the 2023-24 Freshwater Fishing Abstract, or by calling DEM's Great Swamp Field Office at 401-789-0281, or DEM’s Aquatic Resource Education office at 401-539-0019.

A 2023 fishing license is required for anglers 15 and older up to Feb. 29, 2024. For more information on fishing license requirements, please review the 2023-24 RI Freshwater Fishing Regulation Guide. 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. Trout stamps are not required for persons possessing trout taken from a lake or pond that shares a border with Rhode Island, persons over the age of 65, persons with 100% disability, persons fishing from their own domicile, and persons possessing privately owned trout caught in privately owned ponds. Fishing licenses can be purchased online on DEM’S Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) portal.

DEM would like to remind anglers of following important Freshwater Fishing Regulations:

  • The minimum size of all trout or charr species taken from the waters of the state is eight inches, measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. This regulation applies to both wild and stocked trout species.
  • The creel and possession limit for domestic or landlocked Atlantic salmon in the fresh waters of the state is two fish per day and shall be included in the daily limit for trout, salmon, or charr. The minimum size for domestic or land-locked stocked, Atlantic salmon shall be 11 inches total length. No person shall take any Atlantic salmon from the Pawcatuck River downstream of the Potter Hill Dam.
  • A current fishing license and a trout conservation stamp are required to keep or possess a trout or salmon. The daily creel and possession limit for trout and/or salmon singly or in aggregate is two fish from Dec. 1, 2023, through Feb. 28, 2024.
  • The creel and possession limits for trout or charr taken in the Wood River between Route 165 and Barberville Dam at Arcadia Road shall be limited to two fish from the second Saturday in May through the last day of February, annually.

The following activities are prohibited:

  • The taking of any fish in the freshwaters of the state by any means other than angling, using a hook(s) and fishing line, except for carp, suckers, and fall fish, which may be taken by snares, spears, or bow and arrow.
  • The taking of any fish in the freshwaters of the state by net, seine, trawl, or similar device; except for a dip net for the landing of a fish caught by hook and line, and the taking of baitfish. Cast nets and gill nets shall be prohibited.
  • The use of external felt soled or any natural or synthetic porous material capable of absorbing water in any freshwaters in Rhode Island is strictly prohibited. This includes any waters shared with adjacent states in which Rhode Island fishing regulations apply.
  • It is strictly prohibited to enter or exit a state boat ramp with any vegetation attached to any type of boats, motors, boat trailers, or any other conveyance or equipment in order to curtail the spread of invasive aquatic plants.

Anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts are reminded to protect themselves from hypothermia. When outdoors in low temperatures, dress in layers and wear a warm hat and gloves. Hypothermia is caused by exposure to cold weather, wind, rain, or submersion in cold water. When the body’s core temperature reaches 95 degrees Fahrenheit it can be marked by shivering, dizziness, trouble speaking, lack of coordination, confusion, faster heartbeat, and shallow breathing. It is important to look for these symptoms in children and the elderly. If hypothermia is suspected, call for help immediately. Move the victim to a warm environment, remove wet clothing, and cover them with warm layers of clothing or blankets.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.