60,000 Fish Stocked in Over 100 Waterbodies

60,000 Fish Stocked in Over 100 Waterbodies

Published on Wednesday, April 08, 2026

PROVIDENCE, RI - Opening Day of trout season is set for Saturday, April 11, and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has stocked more than 100 freshwater locations, including children's only ponds, with over 60,000 fish - brook, brown, rainbow, and golden rainbow trout. A complete list of stocked waters can be found at www.dem.ri.gov/troutwaters. Fishing is prohibited in all trout stocked waters until Opening Day. After Opening Day, many areas will be stocked additional times to support spring fishing.

"Opening Day is a spring tradition for thousands of Rhode Islanders who head out on the second Saturday of April to a favorite fishing spot to reel in their first trout of the season," said DEM Director Terry Gray. "The work and logistics involved in raising and stocking thousands of fish every year are intense, and this year our hatchery staff overcame a particularly challenging winter to provide fishing opportunities for the public. I'm proud to recognize all members of DEM's Freshwater Fisheries Team who pull off this feat every year - and keep freshwaters stocked throughout most of the year."

Keep it reel - even when fishing in non-trout stocked waters, no trout or salmon caught can be kept before Opening Day. The 2026-27 freshwater fishing abstractincludes all rules and regulations. Regular stocking updates will be available on DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife's (DFW) Facebook Pageand www.dem.ri.gov/troutwaters. See freshwater fisheries updates and FAQs at www.dem.ri.gov/fishing.

Go for the gold - catch a golden rainbow trout from Opening Day through May 3 to be eligible to receive a golden trout pin. Simply take a picture and email it to [email protected]for verification. Submissions must be received no later than Monday, May 4, 2026, and there is a one pin per person limit.

Get hooked - the annual Free Fishing Weekend is on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3. On both days, residents and visitors can fish all species of freshwater fish without a fishing licenseor a trout conservation stamp.

Information about stocked freshwaters, size and creel limits for all freshwater fish species is available in the 2026-2027 Freshwater Fishing Abstract. A 2026 fishing license is required for anglers 15 years of age and older and a Trout Conservation Stamp is required to keep or possess trout. Trout stamps are not required for possessing trout taken from a lake or pond that shares a border with Rhode Island, those aged 15 or younger, any resident 65 years of age or older, any person with 100% disability, landowners or members of their families when fishing from property on which they are actually domiciled, any person possessing privately-owned trout caught in privately owned waters. Fishing licenses can be purchased online on DEM's Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO)portal.

Please note that a collaborative studywith DEM and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) to better understand how Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances(PFAS) may accumulate in stocked trout will take place at Upper Melville Pond in Portsmouth, also known as Thurston Gray Pond, from May 4 through July 2. To protect the integrity of the study, the pond will be closed to fishing during this timeframe. The timing of this study was chosen to prevent the fishing closure from impacting Opening Day. Lower Melville Pond will remain open to fishing during the study but will not be stocked. Learn more at www.dem.ri.gov/trout-study.

DEM reminds anglers, especially boaters, to prioritize safety while pursuing their first trout of the season. State law requirespersonal flotation devices (PFDs) for each person on board, and all canoe, kayak, and paddle craft users must always wear one, regardless of age. DEM also reminds anglers to protect against hypothermia by dressing in layers and wearing warm hats and gloves in cold conditions. Learn more at http://www.dem.ri.gov/safeboating. Checking the weather and following safety guidelines helps ensure a safe and fun Opening Day.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter/X (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates. Follow DFW on Facebookand Instagram (@ri.fishandwildlife) to stay up to date on news, events and volunteer opportunities. You can also subscribe to DFW's monthly newsletter here. Sign up hereto receive the latest press releases, news, and events from DEM's Public Affairs Office to your inbox.