RI Saltwater Fishing Regulations: Rules & Limits

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RI marine rules checked • August 15, 2026

Rhode Island saltwater rules for the fish actually on your line

Striped bass, tautog, scup, black sea bass and summer flounder do not all use the same keeper logic. Rhode Island rules can change with the date, whether you are on shore or a boat, whether the vessel is a licensed charter, the fish’s exact length and even the location where the fish was caught.

Today’s keeper limits Shore vs boat Striped bass slot Tautog vessel cap Fluke shore sites Shark rules License reciprocity
What can I keep today? Main limits License checker
Freshness alert

Rhode Island clarified striped-bass measurement on August 2, 2026

The current definition measures striped bass using the greatest straight-line length from the forward-most tip of the jaw or snout to the farthest point of the tail, with the upper and lower tail forks squeezed together.

Why this matters: the fish must be at least 28 inches but still less than 31 inches. A sloppy curved measurement can turn a release fish into an illegal keeper.
August 15, 2026

Rhode Island saltwater keeper board for today

OPEN

Striped bass

1 fish

28″ minimum and less than 31″ maximum.

OPEN

Tautog

3 fish

16″ minimum. Only one per angler may exceed 21″. Private vessel max: 10.

OPEN

Black sea bass

3 fish

Shore/private. 16″ minimum. Licensed party/charter: 4 today.

OPEN

Scup

30 fish

Shore: 9.5″ minimum. Boat: 11″ minimum.

OPEN

Summer flounder

6 fish

19″ general minimum. Special 17″ shore rule at seven named locations.

YEAR-ROUND

Bluefish

5 fish

Shore/private/rental. Licensed party/charter: 7.

YEAR-ROUND

Weakfish

1 fish

16″ minimum.

AREA CHECK

Winter flounder

2 fish

12″ minimum, but several areas remain closed to harvest.

Rhode Island’s active regulation states that seasons and possession limits can be modified during the season. Always check the DEM in-season amendment page immediately before fishing.
Next rule changes

Dates worth saving now

AUG. 27

General sea bass sub-period

Active regulation technically starts another black-sea-bass recreational sub-period on Aug. 27. The general recreational bag remains 3 fish, so the angler outcome does not change.

SEPT. 1

Charter sea bass

4 → 6

Licensed party/charter possession increases to 6/person/day.

SEPT. 1

Charter scup

30 → 40

Through Oct. 31.

OCT. 15

Fall tautog

3 → 5

Five/person/day Oct. 15–Dec. 31. Private-vessel maximum stays 10.

Keeper decision

Six checks before the fish enters your cooler

1 Species?

Identify first.

2 Date?

Bags change during the year.

3 Fishing mode?

Shore, private boat or licensed for-hire?

4 Exact area?

Special shore sites and closed waters matter.

5 Length?

Minimum, maximum or slot?

6 Gear / vessel rule?

Circle hooks, shark rules and vessel caps can still apply.

2026 main species

Rhode Island recreational saltwater size, season & possession limits

Species / mode Minimum / slot Season Possession
American eel 9″ Year-round 25/angler/day. Paying charter customers: 25. Licensed captain/crew: 50.
Black sea bass — shore/private 16″; tail tendril excluded May 16–Dec. 31 3/person/day
Black sea bass — licensed party/charter 16″; tendril excluded May 16–Aug. 31
Sept. 1–Dec. 31 		4 then 6/person/day
Bluefish — shore/private/rental No minimum Year-round 5/person/day
Bluefish — licensed party/charter No minimum Year-round 7/person/day
Scup — shore 9.5″ May 1–Dec. 31 30/person/day
Scup — private/rental boat 11″ May 1–Dec. 31 30/person/day
Scup — party/charter 11″ May 1–Aug. 31
Sept. 1–Oct. 31
Nov. 1–Dec. 31 		30 / 40 / 30
Striped bass 28″ minimum; less than 31″ maximum Year-round 1/person/day
Summer flounder / fluke 19″ general Apr. 1–Dec. 31 6/person/day. Special shore rule below.
Tautog / blackfish 16″ minimum; only 1/angler may exceed 21″ Apr. 1–May 31
Jun. 1–Jul. 31 CLOSED
Aug. 1–Oct. 14
Oct. 15–Dec. 31 		3 / 0 / 3 / 5. Private-vessel max 10.
Weakfish 16″ Year-round 1/person/day
Winter flounder 12″ Mar. 1–Dec. 31 2/person/day, subject to closed areas
Cobia 43″ Year-round 1/person/day; max 2/vessel/day
Spanish mackerel 14″ Year-round 15/person/day; land with head and fins intact
Beyond the popular species

Secondary Rhode Island finfish limits worth knowing

Species Minimum Recreational rule
Cod — Recreational harvest, landing and possession prohibited in Rhode Island marine waters.
Haddock 18″ May 1–Apr. 30 fishing year; RI state-water possession unlimited. Federal offshore rules remain separate.
American plaice 14″ May 1–Apr. 30; state-water recreational possession unlimited.
Pollock 19″ May 1–Apr. 30; state-water recreational possession unlimited.
Skate No general recreational minimum listed 10 fish/person/day. Thorny skate harvest/possession prohibited.
Yellowtail flounder 13″ May 1–Apr. 30; state-water recreational possession unlimited.
Witch flounder 14″ May 1–Apr. 30; state-water recreational possession unlimited.
Monkfish 17″ total length or 11″ tail length Recreational possession limit: 50 lb tail weight or 166 lb whole weight per person/vessel/day.
Menhaden ≤4″ None Recreational possession unlimited.
Menhaden >4″ None 200 fish/person/day.
“Unlimited” above refers to the Rhode Island state-water recreational regulation for that species. If you fish offshore federal waters, federal rules can impose different limits.
Striped bass control board

A 31-inch striped bass must go back

The recreational slot is 28 inches to less than 31 inches.

RELEASE KEEPER SLOT RELEASE
under 28″ 28″ <31″ 31″+

Current measurement method

  1. Lay fish straight.
  2. Measure from the forward-most tip of jaw or snout.
  3. Squeeze upper and lower forks of tail together.
  4. Measure to the farthest tail extremity.
  5. Use the greatest straight-line length.
Striper hook decision

When is a circle hook actually required?

CIRCLE HOOK REQUIRED

Fishing for striped bass with bait

“Bait” includes live or dead marine/aquatic organisms, whole or in pieces.

EXCEPTION

Artificial lure with bait attached

The active regulation says the circle-hook requirement does not apply to an artificial lure with bait attached.

RELEASE

Bass caught by unapproved method

It must be returned immediately without unnecessary injury.

Recreational gaffing or attempting to gaff a striped bass is prohibited.
Cleaning the catch

Rhode Island allows striped-bass filleting only under strict conditions

Lines still fishing? Do not fillet
Maximum fillets 2

Representing one legal fish per angler.

Rack Keep whole

Head, tail and body remain intact.

Measurement Must remain possible
Private recreational vessels must keep the rack until the vessel is secured to a dock or removed from the water and all fillets are offloaded. Party/charter vessels also have passenger-disembarkation requirements before racks may be discarded.
16-inch sea bass

Do not count the tail tendril

Correct rule

Black sea bass must measure at least 16 inches.

The elongated tendril on the caudal/tail fin does not count toward the legal minimum.

Why anglers get this wrong

A fish can appear to reach 16 inches when the long tail extension is included, yet remain undersized under the Rhode Island rule.

Choose your fishing mode

Shore, private boat and licensed charter do not always share the same limit

SHORE

Important shore advantages

  • Scup minimum: 9.5″
  • 30 scup/day
  • Seven special summer-flounder sites
  • Shark possession calculated per person
PRIVATE / RENTAL BOAT

Boat-specific traps

  • Scup minimum: 11″
  • Tautog private-vessel max: 10
  • Shark possession calculated per vessel
  • Special 17″ fluke shore concession does not apply
LICENSED PARTY / CHARTER

For-hire differences

  • No individual RI saltwater license needed by passengers
  • Bluefish: 7/person/day
  • Black sea bass: 4 now; 6 starting Sept. 1
  • Scup: 40 Sept.–Oct.
  • Exempt from 10-fish tautog vessel cap
Scup quick decision

The same scup can be legal on shore and undersized on a boat

Shore 9.5″

30/person/day.

Private / rental boat 11″

30/person/day.

Licensed charter 11″

30 now; 40/person Sept. 1–Oct. 31.

Special shore fluke rule

Seven locations allow two 17-inch summer flounder

General summer-flounder minimum: 19 inches. At the following special shore sites, two of the six fish may measure at least 17 inches.

India Point Park
Providence
Conimicut Park
Warwick
Rocky Point
Warwick
Stone Bridge
Tiverton
East & West Walls
Harbor of Refuge / Narragansett
Fort Wetherill
Jamestown
Fort Adams
Newport
Not six fish at 17 inches. Only two fish may use the 17″ special-shore minimum. The other four must be at least 19″.
Tautog vessel math

Calculate the person limit first — then apply the boat cap

Aug. 1–Oct. 14 3/person
Oct. 15–Dec. 31 5/person
Minimum: 16″. Only one fish per angler may be longer than 21″.
Private recreational vessel 10 fish maximum

Even if the combined individual angler allowances total more than 10.

Licensed RI party/charter vessels are exempt from the 10-fish vessel maximum.

Winter flounder

Two different restrictions: closed waters and nighttime waters

Harvest/possession prohibited

  • Narragansett Bay north of the COLREGS line
  • Potter Pond
  • Point Judith Pond
  • Harbor of Refuge

Night taking restriction

From one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise, winter-flounder taking is prohibited in specified waters including:

  • Coastal salt ponds
  • Coastal salt-pond channels
  • Narrow River
  • Specified Little Narragansett Bay / Pawcatuck River waters
The active rule contains limited gillnet/fyke-net language. Ordinary rod-and-line anglers should treat the listed nighttime restriction as a separate check from the general Mar. 1–Dec. 31 season.
Shark decision

Shore-caught does not always mean shore-based

SHORE-BASED

Fish remains shore-based

General allowable-shark limit: 1 shark/person/day, plus one additional bonnethead and one additional Atlantic sharpnose, subject to prohibited-species rules.

OR
VESSEL-BASED

Shark travels by vessel

General allowable-shark limit: 1 shark/vessel/day or trip/day, whichever is less, plus one additional bonnethead and one additional Atlantic sharpnose.

Critical Rhode Island rule: a shark transported by a vessel is considered boat-assisted and vessel-based regardless of where or how it was caught.

Size categories

Small coastal group No minimum

Smooth dogfish, Atlantic sharpnose, finetooth, blacknose and bonnethead.

Many allowable larger sharks 54″ FL
Hammerheads 78″ FL

Scalloped, smooth and great hammerhead.

Vessel anglers using rod and reel for sharks must use corrodible circle hooks, except when fishing with flies or artificial lures.
Sharks must be landed with head, tail and fins naturally attached. Gutting and bleeding are permitted as specified, but recreational sharks may not be filleted or cut into pieces at sea.
No recreational possession

Fish that should never reach the cooler

River herring

Harvest, landing and possession prohibited.

American shad

Recreational possession prohibited.

Atlantic salmon

Harvest, landing or possession prohibited.

Atlantic sturgeon

Harvest, landing or possession prohibited.

Cod

Recreational possession prohibited in RI marine waters.

Ocean pout

Harvest, landing or possession prohibited.

Atlantic wolffish

Harvest, landing or possession prohibited.

Thorny skate

Harvest, landing or possession prohibited.

License geography

Rhode Island marine waters end at 3 miles — license usefulness continues offshore

3-mile state boundary
Rhode Island marine waters Inland edge of tidal waters through the three-mile state boundary.

Recreational anglers/spearfishers generally need a qualifying RI saltwater license, national registration or accepted reciprocal license.
Federal offshore waters RI’s recreational saltwater license also serves the state recreational-license/registry function offshore.

Federal species seasons, permits and harvest rules may still apply separately.
License fees

Rhode Island recreational saltwater license cost

RI resident annual $7

Expires Dec. 31.

Nonresident annual $10

Expires Dec. 31.

7-day license $5

Resident or nonresident. Expires seven days after activation.

Eligible RI senior / military No fee

Eligible residents still obtain the applicable free license.

Do you need to buy RI?

You may already have a license Rhode Island accepts

RI recreational saltwater license

Standard Rhode Island option for recreational hook-and-line fishing and spearfishing for finfish/squid.

Reciprocal-state license

Rhode Island recognizes qualifying recreational saltwater licenses from:

  • Massachusetts
  • Connecticut
  • New York
  • Maine

National registration

A valid National Saltwater Angler Registration is also recognized under RI’s licensing framework.

Rhode Island also lists a valid Atlantic Highly Migratory Species permit among its recreational saltwater-license exemptions.
License exemptions

Situations where the ordinary individual RI saltwater license may not be required

Under age 16
Passenger on properly licensed party/charter vessel
Valid reciprocal-state license holder
Valid national saltwater registration holder
Valid Atlantic HMS permit holder
On leave from active military duty
Blind or permanently disabled qualifying person
Non-fishing passenger who does not fish or spearfish
Exempt persons can still be required to provide applicable proof and photo identification to law enforcement.
Where can the license be?

Rhode Island does not always require the license to be physically in your pocket

Boat angler

The applicable recreational license can be in your possession or in close proximity aboard the vessel from which you are fishing.

Shore angler

The rule treats a nearby vehicle or another location within walking distance from the point of exit from the water as qualifying close proximity.

You must still be able to present a valid current license for inspection when requested by an authorized law-enforcement officer.
Cast nets & recreational bait nets

No hook does not mean no regulation

Rhode Island’s recreational saltwater license is primarily tied to angling and spearfishing. Certain non-angling methods can be used without that individual recreational saltwater license, but the gear and species rules still apply.

Cast net
Minnow trap
Dip / umbrella net
Recreational seine
Eel pot
Other qualifying non-angling methods
Recreational beach seines/bait nets may not exceed 4 feet deep × 20 feet long.
If a marine finfish species harvested by net has no separate size, possession or season regulation, the active finfish rule sets a general recreational possession limit of 2 quarts/person/day, unless otherwise specified.
Different license system

Your RI saltwater fishing license is not a universal marine-harvest license

Lobster

Separate RI recreational lobster license required.

Shellfish

Recreational shellfish licensing and area closures follow separate rules.

Nonresident shellfish

Nonresidents need the applicable recreational shellfish license.

Blue crab

RI’s license guidance states that nonresidents may not recreationally harvest blue crabs.

After the catch

Four simple rules that prevent avoidable violations

Do not sell recreational finfish

Recreational catch may not be sold or offered for sale.

No at-sea vessel transfer

Regulated finfish may not be transferred between vessels at sea.

Keep species measurable

Species-specific landing/filleting rules can require fish or racks to remain measurable.

New notice beats old screenshot

In-season DEM modifications can supersede a saved regulation image.

Useful official trip tools

Save more than the regulation table

2026 tide table

RI’s guide publishes Newport tide predictions as a planning reference.

Access sites

The official guide includes shore access and launch-site information.

Party/charter directory

Useful when the for-hire possession rules differ from private limits.

AnglerCatch

Rhode Island’s guide promotes the free voluntary catch-log app. It is a fishing-data tool, not a substitute for mandatory regulations.

Before you cast

Rhode Island saltwater regulation checklist

  • Confirm today’s season. Tautog, sea bass and for-hire scup limits change during the year.
  • Decide shore, private boat or charter. Fishing mode can change both size and possession limits.
  • Measure striped bass using the Aug. 2, 2026 definition. Tail forks squeezed; greatest straight-line length.
  • Carry the correct striped-bass hook. Circle-hook requirement applies when fishing for striped bass with bait.
  • Do not count the sea-bass tail tendril. Minimum is 16 inches without the tendril.
  • Count tautog twice. First the angler bag, then the private-vessel 10-fish maximum.
  • Check special fluke shore location. The two-fish 17-inch provision only applies at the seven designated sites.
  • Check winter-flounder area and time. Both geographic closures and nighttime restrictions exist.
  • If shark fishing, determine shore-based or vessel-based status. Vessel transport makes the shark vessel-based.
  • Confirm your license route. RI license, reciprocal state license, national registration or qualifying exemption.
  • Keep lobster/shellfish separate. Different licenses and harvest rules apply.
  • Open the current DEM notice before leaving. Do not rely solely on an old PDF or screenshot.
High-risk mistakes

Fifteen Rhode Island rules easy to misread

Keeping a 31″ striped bass

Maximum is less than 31″.

Measuring striper with loose tail

Current rule squeezes the tail forks together.

Thinking every baited lure needs a circle hook

Artificial lure with bait attached has a specific exception.

Using sea-bass tail tendril

Tendril does not count toward 16″.

Using 9.5″ scup minimum on a boat

Boat minimum is 11″.

Keeping six 17″ fluke

Special shore rule covers only two fish.

Ignoring tautog boat cap

Private/recreational vessel max is 10.

Keeping two tautog over 21″

Only one per angler may exceed 21″.

Fishing closed winter-flounder water

General season does not override location closure.

Missing winter-flounder nighttime rule

Extra time restrictions apply in listed waters.

Calling a transported shark “shore-based”

Vessel transport makes it vessel-based.

Filleting sharks at sea

Recreational shark filleting/cutting at sea is prohibited.

Assuming cod is legal in RI marine water

Recreational harvest/possession is prohibited.

Assuming charter limits equal private limits

Bluefish, sea bass and scup differ.

Assuming the finfish license covers lobster

Separate recreational lobster license required.

Still uncertain?

Ask RI Marine Fisheries a precise question

Marine Fisheries 401-423-1923

DEM lists Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM.

DEM general information 401-222-4700
After-hours emergencies 401-222-3070
“I’m fishing [exact shore location / bay / private boat / licensed charter] on [date] for [species]. Can you confirm the current minimum or slot, possession limit, vessel limit, season, area restriction and any in-season modification?”
Official final-check center

The rules are explained above — use these for the same-day verification

RI DEM Recreational Saltwater Fishing Main recreational marine hub. Current DEM limits Same-day minimum-size and possession check. Active Finfish Regulation 250-RICR-90-00-3. Definitions & General Provisions Includes current striped-bass measurement definition. In-season amendments Check for regulation or possession-limit changes. 2026 Recreational Limit Guide Reader-friendly official guide table. Measurement & Circle-Hook FAQ Striped-bass measurement and bait/lure guidance. Equipment Regulations Beach seines, bait nets, traps and gear. Saltwater License FAQ Fees, exemptions, reciprocity and license area. Rhode Island Outdoors Official license purchase portal. 2026 Tide Table Official-guide planning reference. Marine Regulations Hub Finfish, shellfish, crustacean and equipment rules.
Rhode Island FAQ

Saltwater fishing regulation questions

What is the Rhode Island striped bass limit in 2026?

Recreational anglers may keep one striped bass per person per day. The fish must measure at least 28 inches and less than 31 inches. The recreational season is open year-round.

How do I measure a Rhode Island striped bass?

Under the Rhode Island definition effective August 2, 2026, measure the greatest straight-line length from the forward-most tip of the jaw or snout to the farthest extremity of the tail, with the upper and lower forks of the tail squeezed together.

Do I always need a circle hook when striped bass fishing?

A circle hook is required when fishing recreationally for striped bass with bait. Rhode Island’s active rule states that the requirement does not apply to an artificial lure with bait attached. A striped bass caught by an unapproved method must be released immediately.

What is the Rhode Island tautog limit today?

On August 15, 2026, the recreational tautog limit is three fish per person per day with a 16-inch minimum. Only one fish per angler may exceed 21 inches. Private recreational vessels have a maximum of ten tautog per vessel per day.

What is the Rhode Island scup minimum from shore?

Shore anglers may keep scup measuring at least 9.5 inches. The daily possession limit is 30 fish. Private and rental boat anglers use an 11-inch minimum.

What is the special Rhode Island summer flounder shore rule?

At seven designated shore locations, up to two fish within the six-fish daily summer-flounder limit may measure at least 17 inches. The remaining four fish must measure at least 19 inches.

Is winter flounder open everywhere in Rhode Island?

No. Although the general recreational season is March 1 through December 31 with a 12-inch minimum and two-fish daily limit, harvest or possession is prohibited in Narragansett Bay north of the COLREGS line, Potter Pond, Point Judith Pond and Harbor of Refuge. Additional nighttime taking restrictions apply in other listed waters.

If I catch a shark from shore and take it home by boat, is it still shore-based?

No. Rhode Island states that sharks transported by vessel are considered boat-assisted and vessel-based regardless of where or how they were caught.

Do I need a Rhode Island saltwater fishing license?

Recreational anglers and spearfishers generally need a Rhode Island recreational saltwater license, a National Saltwater Angler Registration or an accepted reciprocal-state license unless an exemption applies.

Which state saltwater licenses does Rhode Island recognize?

Rhode Island recognizes qualifying recreational saltwater fishing licenses from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Maine.

How much is the Rhode Island saltwater fishing license?

The annual resident license is $7, the annual nonresident license is $10 and the seven-day license is $5. Annual licenses expire December 31.

Does the Rhode Island saltwater fishing license cover lobster and shellfish?

No. Recreational lobster requires a separate Rhode Island lobster license. Shellfish licensing and harvest rules are separate, and nonresidents need the applicable recreational shellfish license.

Rhode Island keeper formula

Species → date → fishing mode → area → length → vessel/gear rule

Rhode Island’s regulation table is only the first layer. The final answer can change because you are fishing from shore, aboard a licensed charter, inside a special flounder site, transporting a shark by vessel, fishing a closed winter-flounder area or using bait for striped bass.

Regulation research reviewed . Rhode Island marine limits can change in-season, so check the current DEM amendment page before the trip.

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