The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is stocking ponds across Rhode Island with some 6,000 trout in advance of Columbus Day weekend - a popular time for recreational fishing. Because of the extreme drought conditions present in many of the state's freshwaters, the number of waterbodies being stocked is limited; if conditions improve, additional stocking will take place this fall.

The following waters will be stocked: Carbuncle Pond, Coventry; Olney Pond, Lincoln; Silver Spring Pond, North Kingstown; Barber Pond, South Kingstown; Round Top Ponds, Burrillville; Stafford Pond, Tiverton; Wood River and Pawcatuck River, Richmond. A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are required to keep or possess a trout. The daily creel and possession limit for trout is five from April 9, 2016 through November 30, 2016, and two from December 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017. State law requires that boaters always have personal flotation devices for each person, and that they do not drink and operate a boat. Boaters should also be sure their craft is seaworthy before going out on the state's waterways.