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Rules by state

Rhode Island
saltwater rules

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management sets the rules inside Rhode Island’s state waters, out to 3 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, NOAA's Greater Atlantic region writes the federal rules.

Nearby waters: Massachusetts · Connecticut

60 species with a rule on file, checked Sep 16, 2026. 11 of them carry a federal-waters rule because Rhode Island lists none of its own; those rows say so. Every row names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

  1. Albacore

    Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Rhode Island lists none of its own.

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.

    NOAA HMS 2025 · checked

  2. Alewife

    River herring, Buckie Alosa pseudoharengus

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Harvest, landing, or possession of river herring prohibited in RI marine waters.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  3. American Eel

    Yellow eel, Silver eel Anguilla rostrata

    Size
    9" min
    Bag
    25/person/day (50/vessel on licensed party/charter)
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  4. American Plaice

    Dab, Canadian plaice, Sand dab Hippoglossoides platessoides

    Size
    12" min
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    RI's table lists minimum size and season; no separate recreational bag is stated.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked · likely

  5. American Shad

    Alosa sapidissima

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Harvest, landing, or possession prohibited in RI marine waters.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  6. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

    Thunnus thynnus

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Rhode Island lists none of its own.

    Size
    27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73"
    Bag
    Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026
    Season
    Open under in-season limits

    Open

    HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  7. Atlantic Cod

    Codfish Gadus morhua

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Recreational harvest, landing, and possession of cod prohibited in RI marine waters.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  8. Atlantic Halibut

    Hippoglossus hippoglossus

    Federal rule (New England federal waters). Rhode Island lists none of its own.

    Size
    41 in total length
    Bag
    1 per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    One fish per BOAT per trip, not per angler.

    NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked

  9. Atlantic Menhaden

    Bunker, Pogy, Fatback Brevoortia tyrannus

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    200/person/day (fish over 4"; unlimited under 4")
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    200-fish limit applies to menhaden greater than 4".

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  10. Atlantic Salmon

    Sea-run salmon Salmo salar

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Harvest, landing, or possession prohibited in RI marine waters.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  11. Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

    Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    1/person/day in addition to the coastal shark bag
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    One Atlantic sharpnose per person per day allowed in addition to the one-shark shore/vessel limit.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  12. Atlantic Sturgeon

    Acipenser oxyrinchus

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Harvest, landing, or possession prohibited in RI marine waters.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  13. Atlantic Wolffish

    Ocean catfish Anarhichas lupus

    Federal rule (New England federal waters). Rhode Island lists none of its own.

    Size
    —
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Prohibited

    Put it back

    Protected in federal and Massachusetts waters — release immediately.

    NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked

  14. Black Sea Bass

    Sea bass Centropristis striata

    Size
    16" min
    Bag
    3/person/day (party/charter: 4 May 16-Aug 31, 6 Sep 1-Dec 31)
    Season
    May 16 - Dec 31

    Open

    Minimum size raised to 16" for 2026.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  15. Blacknose Shark

    Carcharhinus acronotus

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    RI reg text lists blacknose in the allowed no-minimum group; one DEM summary reading disagreed — flagged for review.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked · likely

  16. Blacktip Shark

    Carcharhinus limbatus

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  17. Blue Marlin

    Makaira nigricans

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Rhode Island lists none of its own.

    Size
    99" LJFL min
    Bag
    No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS permit required.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  18. Blue Shark

    Blue dog Prionace glauca

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  19. Blueback Herring

    River herring Alosa aestivalis

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Harvest, landing, or possession of river herring prohibited in RI marine waters.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  20. Bluefish

    Chopper, Snapper blue Pomatomus saltatrix

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    5/person/day (party/charter: 7)
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Private/shore bag raised from 3 to 5 for 2026.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  21. Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

    Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  22. Bonnethead

    Sphyrna tiburo

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    1/person/day in addition to the coastal shark bag
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    One bonnethead per person per day allowed in addition to the one-shark shore/vessel limit.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  23. Bull Shark

    Carcharhinus leucas

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  24. Caribbean Reef Shark

    Carcharhinus perezii

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Reef shark on RI prohibited shark species list.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  25. Clearnose Skate

    Brier skate Rostroraja eglanteria

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    10/person/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    RI lists a single recreational skate rule covering skate species.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  26. Common Thresher

    Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  27. Dusky Shark

    Carcharhinus obscurus

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    On RI prohibited shark species list.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  28. Finetooth Shark

    Carcharhinus isodon

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  29. Galapagos Shark

    Carcharhinus galapagensis

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  30. Great Hammerhead

    Sphyrna mokarran

    Size
    78" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  31. Great White Shark

    White shark Carcharodon carcharias

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    White shark on RI prohibited shark species list.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  32. Haddock

    Melanogrammus aeglefinus

    Size
    18" min
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  33. Lemon Shark

    Negaprion brevirostris

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  34. Monkfish

    Goosefish, Anglerfish Lophius americanus

    Size
    17" whole / 11" tail
    Bag
    50 lbs tails/day or 166 lbs whole/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  35. Nurse Shark

    Ginglymostoma cirratum

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  36. Ocean Pout

    Zoarces americanus

    Federal rule (New England federal waters). Rhode Island lists none of its own.

    Size
    —
    Bag
    No retention
    Season
    Prohibited

    Put it back

    No retention in federal or Massachusetts waters — release immediately.

    NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked

  37. Oceanic Whitetip Shark

    Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  38. Pollock

    Boston bluefish Pollachius virens

    Size
    19" min
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  39. Porbeagle

    Lamna nasus

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  40. Sailfish

    Istiophorus platypterus

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Rhode Island lists none of its own.

    Size
    63" LJFL min
    Bag
    No federal bag limit
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS permit required.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  41. Sand Tiger

    Carcharias taurus

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    On RI prohibited shark species list.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  42. Sandbar Shark

    Carcharhinus plumbeus

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    On RI prohibited shark species list.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  43. Scalloped Hammerhead

    Sphyrna lewini

    Size
    78" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  44. Scup

    Stenotomus chrysops

    Size
    11" min (9.5" from shore)
    Bag
    30/person/day (party/charter: 40 Sep 1-Oct 31)
    Season
    May 1 - Dec 31

    Open

    Shore anglers may keep scup at 9.5"; boat (private/rental/party/charter) minimum is 11".

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  45. Shortfin Mako

    Isurus oxyrinchus

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Retention of shortfin mako prohibited per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1(B).

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  46. Silky Shark

    Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

    Size
    N/A
    Bag
    No harvest or possession
    Season
    Closed year-round

    Put it back

    Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  47. Skipjack Tuna

    Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Rhode Island lists none of its own.

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.

    NOAA HMS 2025 · checked

  48. Smooth Dogfish

    Mustelus canis

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  49. Smooth Hammerhead

    Sphyrna zygaena

    Size
    78" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  50. Spinner Shark

    Carcharhinus brevipinna

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  51. Striped Bass

    Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

    Size
    28" to <31" slot
    Bag
    1/person/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Slot limit 28" to less than 31"; inline circle hooks required when fishing with bait.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  52. Summer Flounder

    Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

    Size
    19" min
    Bag
    6/person/day
    Season
    Apr 1 - Dec 31

    Open

    At 7 designated shore sites (India Point Park, Conimicut Park, Rocky Point, Stone Bridge, East/West Walls, Fort Wetherill, Fort Adams), 2 of the 6 fish may be 17"+.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  53. Swordfish

    Xiphias gladius

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Rhode Island lists none of its own.

    Size
    47" LJFL min
    Bag
    1 per person, up to 4 per vessel per trip (private); higher for-hire vessel caps
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    May not be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is aboard.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  54. Tautog

    Tautoga onitis

    Size
    16" min (only one fish >21")
    Bag
    3/person/day Apr 1-May 31 and Aug 1-Oct 14; 5/person/day Oct 15-Dec 31; max 10/vessel/day (private)
    Season
    Apr 1 - May 31, Aug 1 - Dec 31 (closed Jun 1 - Jul 31)

    Open

    Only one fish per person may exceed 21"; 10-fish vessel cap does not apply to party/charter vessels.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  55. Tiger Shark

    Galeocerdo cuvier

    Size
    54" FL min
    Bag
    1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  56. Weakfish

    Gray trout, Squeteague Cynoscion regalis

    Size
    16" min
    Bag
    1/person/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  57. White Marlin

    Kajikia albida

    Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Rhode Island lists none of its own.

    Size
    66" LJFL min
    Bag
    No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)
    Season
    Year-round

    Open

    HMS permit required.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  58. Windowpane Flounder

    Sand dab Scophthalmus aquosus

    Federal rule (New England federal waters). Rhode Island lists none of its own.

    Size
    —
    Bag
    No retention
    Season
    Prohibited

    Put it back

    No retention in federal or Massachusetts waters — release immediately.

    NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked

  59. Winter Flounder

    Blackback, Lemon sole (big ones) Pseudopleuronectes americanus

    Size
    12" min
    Bag
    2/person/day
    Season
    Mar 1 - Dec 31

    Open

    Harvest prohibited in Narragansett Bay north of the Colregs line and in Potter Pond, Point Judith Pond, and the Harbor of Refuge.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

  60. Winter Skate

    Leucoraja ocellata

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    10/person/day
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    RI lists a single recreational skate rule covering skate species.

    RI DEM 2026 · checked

Every other species

Marine finfish not listed in RI regulations have no recreational size, season, or bag limit; unlisted species harvested by net are capped at 2 quarts/person/day (250-RICR-90-00-3).

Size
No size limit
Bag
No limit (hook and line); 2 quarts/person/day if taken by net
Season
Open year-round

RI DEM 2026 · checked 2026-09-16

Report to NOAA within 24 hours

HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.

How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04

Licences and the fine print

  • A Rhode Island saltwater license is required to angle or spearfish in marine waters. Exempt: under 16, anglers on party and charter boats, and holders of a saltwater license from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts or Maine (reciprocity). Free for residents over 65 and active military stationed in Rhode Island.
  • No license is needed to fish recreationally without hook and line — cast nets, minnow traps, dip nets, seines and eel pots.
Get a Rhode Island license

Nearby waters: Massachusetts · Connecticut · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about Rhode Island

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in Rhode Island?

A Rhode Island saltwater license is required to angle or spearfish in marine waters. Exempt: under 16, anglers on party and charter boats, and holders of a saltwater license from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts or Maine (reciprocity). Free for residents over 65 and active military stationed in Rhode Island.

How far out do Rhode Island state waters go?

3 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, NOAA's Greater Atlantic region sets the federal rules, and where Rhode Island has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

What if a fish is not listed for Rhode Island?

Rhode Island sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No limit (hook and line); 2 quarts/person/day if taken by net. Season: Open year-round. Marine finfish not listed in RI regulations have no recreational size, season, or bag limit; unlisted species harvested by net are capped at 2 quarts/person/day (250-RICR-90-00-3).

Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

How current are these Rhode Island rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

Checked against 4 official pages