Rhode Island Fishing Report
It’s not spring yet, although it’s starting to feel like it—even if it’s only a temporary tease. Rain and mild weather are tricking southern New Englanders into thinking winter is wrapping up, but the extended forecast suggests otherwise.
March is a tough month for fishermen in the Northeast. Beginning this weekend, parts of Rhode Island will see temps in the mid 50s to low 60s through Tuesday. By late next week, however, the weather will stabilize and be on par for early March with overnight lows hovering near or just below freezing. It’s safe to assume that following this weekend, certain ponds—especially those to the south—may have soft or sketchy ice conditions for a few days at least. The inconsistent air temperatures make it difficult to judge whether the ice will last and be safe enough for anglers into the middle of the month; if melted ice doesn’t refreeze solid overnight, we’ll be in for a slow, steady transition to open water season a few weeks from now.
At this time, many Rhody ponds have have anywhere from 12 to nearly 20 inches of ice but with trout waters closed until the second Saturday in April, our options are somewhat limited. Going forward, anglers are encouraged to head north where the ice is generally thicker and safer compared to coastal areas. Bass, chain pickerel, northern pike, and panfish are all in play and will carry us into the end of the ice fishing season. Over the past few days anglers have landed some 20-inch-class pike, largemouths approaching 5 pounds, and piles of plump yellow perch. Bass, in particular, seem to be responding well to the slight warmup.
This weekend, you may be tempted to sport a t-shirt and jeans on the ice, but keep in mind that the water is still frigid and as conditions deteriorate, wearing a float suit or PFD of some sort becomes that much more important. Just steer clear of inflatable PFDs as they are known to fail under frigid conditions at times.
If spud-barring the ice is not in your weekend plans, consider heading to the New England Saltwater Fishing Expo from March 6-8, hosted by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) at the Providence Convention Center. Tickets are $15 at the door with free admission for kids under age 12. There are hundreds of vendors in the fishing industry and plenty of activities and seminars to entertain the whole family. Swing by the OTW booth to renew your subscription, pick up a new hat or hoodie, or sign up for the 2026 Striper Cup. We’ll see you there!