Rhode Island state waters, out to 3 miles
Harvest, landing, or possession of river herring prohibited in RI marine waters.
RI DEM 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Blueback herringBlue-black back, smaller eye — in hand, its gut lining is black. Tell them apart
Atlantic herringNo shoulder spot. Tell them apartNot listed by Rhode Island: the default applies (No size limit, no limit (hook and line); 2 quarts/person/day if taken by net).
American shadMuch larger, spot row. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
River herring with an eye WIDER than its snout is long; gray-green back, single shoulder spot, sawtooth belly keel. More on the alewife page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Alewife in other states11 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask2
Can you keep alewife in Rhode Island?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Rhode Island. Release it in the water where you can. Harvest, landing, or possession of river herring prohibited in RI marine waters.
How current is this Rhode Island alewife rule?
Source: RI DEM 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at an alewife in Rhode Island and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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