Rhode Island Fishing Report
The Frances Fleet out of Point Judith reported some good action on a variety of species from south of Block. The togging has been solid with lots of keeper fish and some larger fish in the mix up to about 8 pounds. They are catching big cunners, too—big enough to fillet and eat—which are under appreciated table fare! They’ve had some ling in the catch as well, and this is a great time of year to pick up some jumbo sea bass. They’ve also had anglers occasionally reel in throwback codfish. Give them a call if you’d like to get in on this action; every day that weather looks fishable, they go.
Dustin, at Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures provided the following report for the week: “This has been a tough week to get out with heavy winds and frigid temperatures. However, earlier in the week the backwaters were very consistent for holdover striped bass and white perch. When there are open water opportunities, that will probably be the theme of the winter season until April. Early December has been very cold and this is shaping up to be another season for consistently good ice. Usually, the Rhode Island DEM stocks one more round of trout before everything is completely frozen over. Don’t be afraid to brave the cold and book a trip with us this winter. If not, head over to our site and lock in your 2026 date!”
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Captain Rob Taylor at Newport Sportfishing Charters said things have started to quiet down around inshore waters, but Rob told me he is still finding some nice tautog chewing on the grounds to the south. These areas are also producing solid numbers of sea bass to 5-pounds, and a couple solid throwback cod on most trip. After some more weekend cold, it looks like it may be warming up, so we should see this bite continue right through the end of the season.
Eric, at The Saltwater Edge provided the following report as winter weather patterns are starting to take over in Rhode Island: “Winter fishing is settling in for the Ocean State. There are still tautog to be caught, but the weather windows are tougher to come by and the fish are going to be deeper. There’s no reason not to go when the wind lays down though! Holdover striped bass fishing in the usual spots has been productive from shore and kayak. Make sure to check your favorite estuaries and brackish waters for those big holdovers, especially during the warmer days/nights, which have been few and far between lately.”
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, said the shop is now closed for the season and wanted to thank everyone for another great year. You can keep an eye on his Facebook page for re-opening updates, which should be back to full time the Friday before the opening of trout season. As far as fishing, Dave said most of the local captains have started to pack it in for the season, but a few are still finding some solid bottom fishing action. Hard structure around Block Island is producing as it should, and the fish have transitioned to deeper water. Anglers are finding a nice mix of keeper tautog, sea bass, ling, and throwback cod. Those that are still targeting striped bass are finding a few fish out front, but most of the striped bass attention is on holdovers in the rivers and salt ponds. Large swimming plugs and soft plastics after dark have been getting the job done in both areas. Freshwater anglers are reporting excellent trout fishing, following more fall stocking and improved flows in many of the streams.
Elisa at Snug Harbor Marina said they were still hearing good tautog results from the waters around Block Island, with fish to 9 pounds reported. Sea bass fishing has been solid for those able to make the run to spots like Sharks Ledge; this is a good time of year for some really big ones! There were mackerel piled up around the East Wall earlier in the week, and many of those were taken for use as tuna bait during the 3-day commercial season and they worked quite well. There have been pockets of mackerel around other spots as well, like North Rip and along the South County Beaches, however, the squid seem to have moved on. Striper action is now confined to the salt ponds and backwaters that hold over-wintering fish.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
The recent winds and a steady drop in water temperature has shifted the Rhode Island bottom fishing bite to the south. The inshore tautog fishing has mostly died out, but anglers sailing south toward Block Island are finding a nice mix of tautog, sea bass, ling, cunner, and throwback cod.
Holdover striped bass fishing has continued to garner more attention both in the rivers and salt ponds. These bass have mostly been on the small side, but anglers are reporting steady enough action, along with some nice white perch in the mix throughout the estuaries.
Late season trout fishing has been excellent across the state following the RIDEM fall stocking, and flows should finally be improving in the streams.