Rhode Island state waters, out to 3 miles
Minimum size raised to 16" for 2026.
RI DEM 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Rhode Island state record
RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Blue-black with pale barred cheeks; big males show a blue nape hump and fin trailers. More on the black sea bass page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Black sea bass in other states15 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for black sea bass in Rhode Island?
16" min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many black sea bass can you keep in Rhode Island?
3/person/day (party/charter: 4 May 16-Aug 31, 6 Sep 1-Dec 31).
When is black sea bass season in Rhode Island?
May 16 - Dec 31. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Rhode Island record black sea bass?
8 lb 7.25 oz, Block Island (1981).
How current is this Rhode Island black sea bass 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.
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