Great Fishing In Rhode Island
Guide to fishing in the Ocean State
Rhode Island may be small, but it boasts a variety of fishing opportunities thanks to its diverse water bodies, including ponds, lakes, and rivers. The state's coastal location also offers access to marine fishing opportunities. Anglers can find a wide variety of fish species in Rhode Island's waters, making it a popular destination for both recreational and sport fishermen. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, plus the species found in each lake.
In the warm water fisheries, popular species include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, white perch, and sunfish. These warm water lakes and ponds provide excellent fishing experiences for anglers of all skill levels, and many are easily accessible for fishing from the shore or by boat.
Rhode Island also offers some fantastic cold water fisheries, particularly in its rivers and streams. Brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout are frequently stocked in rivers like the Wood River and the Pawcatuck River, providing ample opportunities for trout fishing enthusiasts.
One of the highlights of fishing in Rhode Island is the excellent striped bass fishing in its coastal waters. The state's saltwater fisheries offer opportunities for catching striped bass, bluefish, fluke (summer flounder), tautog (blackfish), and other saltwater species.
With numerous ponds, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters, Rhode Island provides a diverse range of fishing experiences for anglers. Whether you prefer freshwater or saltwater fishing, warm water or cold water species, Rhode Island has something to offer every fishing enthusiast. From beginners to seasoned anglers, everyone can find their favorite fishing spot and enjoy the abundance of fish that the state's waters have to offer.
Rhode Island offers a variety of fishing including lakes, ponds, streams and rivers. Here, you can fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white catfish, black crappie, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, bluegill, white perch, yellow perch, Atlantic salmon, stripers, chain pickerel and northern pike in local waters. Many of these species can be caught while ice fishing at lakes and ponds across the state.
Major Rhode Island Lakes & Species

Lake & Fish Chart
Top angling destinations, along with the major fish species found in each of the lakes or ponds. For a detailed list of primary fish species in RI, plus state fish records, see the list below.
Fishing lake sizes and locations in the state.
Beach Pond is a 390-acre lake on the western border of the state, at Beach Pond State Park.
Indian Lake is a 200-acre lake in the southeast part of the state, at Indian Lake Shores.
Johnson Pond, aka Flat River Reservoir, is a 650-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Coventry.
Pascoag Reservoir, aka Echo Lake, is a 350-acre lake in the northwest corner of the state, at Pascoag.
Stafford Pond is a 480-acre lake in the southeast part of the state, at Eagleville.
Tiogue Lake is a 200-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Spring Lake.
Watchaug Pond is a 570-acre lake in the southwest part of the state, at Fort Ninigret.
Woonasquatucket Reservoir is a 300-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Spragueville.
Worden Pond is a 1,040-acre lake in the southeast part of the state, at Tuckertown.

Find additional Rhode Island fishing details at the State of IR DEM website. Click here to obtain a Rhode Island fishing license.
If you have information on fishing in your area and would like to contribute articles or information we would like to hear from you.
There is a section dedicated to activities for kids in RI, including stories, photos and tips for where and how to take a kid fishing in RI.
You can find a listing of RI fishing guides here.
Rhode Island Fishing
All About Fishing wishes you the very best with your fishing endeavors in the great state of Rhode Island.

Fish for big bass
Excellent largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing opportunities are available to anglers.
Fish Species & State Records in Rhode Island
Bass
Largemouth bass
World record: 22 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 11 lbs 3.2 oz
Smallmouth bass
World record: 11 lbs 15 oz
State Record: 5 lbs 15 oz
Catfish
White catfish
World record: 22 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 16 lbs 12 oz
Crappie
Black crappie
World record: 6 lbs 0 oz
State Record: 3 lbs 0 oz
Trout
Rainbow trout
World record: 42 lbs 2 oz
State Record: 11 lbs 0 oz
Brook trout
World record: 14 lbs 8 oz
State Record: 3 lbs 12 oz
Brown trout
World record: 40 lbs 4 oz
State Record: 7 lbs 9 oz
Panfish
Bluegill
World record: 4 lbs 12 oz
State Record: 2 lbs 1 oz
White perch
World record: 4.6 lbs
State Record: 2 lbs 0 oz
Yellow perch
World record: 4 lbs 3 oz
State Record: 2 lbs 4 oz
Salmon
Atlantic salmon
World record: 79 lbs 2 oz
State Record: 21 lbs 9 oz
Striped bass
Striper
World record: 81 lbs 14 oz
State Record: 77 lbs 6.4 oz
Other species
Chain pickerel
World record: 9 lbs 6 oz
State Record: 6 lbs 14 oz
Northern pike
World record: 55 lbs 1 oz
State Record: 35 lbs 0 oz
Click the images and links above for species details.
Fishing in all states
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