DEM Stocking Carolina Trout Pond and Carbuncle Pond this Week with Brook and Rainbow Trout

Published on Tuesday, January 30, 2024

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that two additional freshwater ponds will be stocked with trout on Wednesday Jan. 31. Carolina Trout Pond in Richmond and Carbuncle Pond in Coventry will be stocked with Brook and Rainbow Trout.

A stocking update will be available that 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. 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 five fish from Opening Day to Dec. 1, and two fish from Dec. 1, 2023, through Feb. 29, 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 waders or boots or those soled with 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 or invertebrates.

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.

DEM does not monitor ice conditions in local communities. Anglers and others should contact their local recreation departments about safe ice conditions on ponds before ice fishing, skating, or other ice-related activities in individual communities. DEM's Division of Parks and Recreation provides information about the ice conditions at Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln, Meshanticut State Park in Cranston, and Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick. The 24-Hour Ice Info Line is 401-667-6222. DEM stresses that there is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. You cannot tell the strength of ice simply by its look and thickness, the daily temperature, or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. For winter safety tips, visit www.riparks.ri.gov/icesafety.

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.