Rhode Island Introduces New Fishing Regulations for 2024 Season
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has filed new fishing regulations with the Secretary of State's Office for the 2024 season, bringing changes to size limits, possession limits, and seasons for various species.
One notable change is the increase in the minimum size for summer flounder (fluke) from 18 to 19 inches for the season, which runs from April 1 to Dec. 31, with a possession limit of six fish per person per day. However, anglers fishing at Special Shore Angling Sites can take two 17-inch fluke, with the remaining four fish required to be a minimum of 19 inches.
For black sea bass, private anglers will have a minimum size of 16.5 inches and a two fish per person daily limit from May 22 to Aug. 26, increasing to three fish from Aug. 27 to Dec. 31. Party and charter boats will have a 16-inch minimum size and a later start to the season, from June 18 to Aug. 31, with a two fish per person daily limit, increasing to six fish from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31.
Striped bass regulations allow one fish per person per day between 28 inches and less than 31 inches, with the use of circle hooks advised when fishing recreationally with bait. A new recreational fileting rule requires racks to remain intact for accurate measurement, with no more than two filets taken from one legal fish.
Tautog has a 16-inch minimum size and a 10 fish per vessel daily limit, with only one fish allowed above 21 inches. The season is divided into three periods: April 1 to May 31 (three fish/person/day), Aug. 1 to Oct. 14 (three fish/person/day), and Oct. 15 to Dec. 31 (five fish/person/day), with a closure from June 1 to July 31 during spawning.
Bluefish have no minimum size and no closed season, with a three fish per person daily limit for private anglers and a five fish per person limit for party and charter boats.
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