In Rhode Island, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) stocked 24 waterways with rainbow and brook trout last week before the holiday. DEM is providing stocking updates via its website at dem.ri.gov/fishing.  A 2022 fishing license is required for anglers 15 and older and a trout conservation stamp is required to keep or possess a trout. Fishing licenses can be purchased online on the DEM’S Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) portal.

Over 63,000 trout are being stocked across Massachusetts as pond and lake water temperatures start to cool down. As the stocking plans roll out locations will be updated daily on the map at www.mass.gov/service-details/trout-stocking-report . Don’t forget your fishing license—buy online at MassFishHunt.

Learn how to toss a fly

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Aquatic Education Program will be holding it’s annual “Introduction to Saltwater Fly-Fishing”, Saturday, Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Sprague Bridge, Narrow River, Narragansett, RI.

DEM and fly-fishing instructors including expert fly guide and longtime program coordinator Ed Lombardo will review the equipment needed to get started, provide casting instruction and then all will fish the Narrow River.

 Lombardo said, “Fly fishing equipment will be supplied including rods, reels, fly line and flies. However, all participants need to bring their own waders.”

 Cost of $15 is for lunch. For additional information and registration contact Kimberly Sullivan in DEM’s Aquatic Resource Education program at kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov .

Massachusetts considers new tautog regulations for 2023

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is taking public comment and holding a virtual public hearing on a series of proposed regulatory affecting commercial and recreational fisheries including recreational tautog. Full text of the regulations may be found on DMF’s website along with additional relevant background information.

In addition to recreational tautog, Atlantic menhaden, Shortfin mako and groundfish regulations will be addressed.

A slot limit and trophy fish provision for recreational tautog are being proposed. The regulation would adopt a 21-inch maximum size limit for the recreational tautog fishery — making a 16 to 21-inch slot limit — with an allowance for an angler to retain one trophy fish exceeding the 21-inch limit per calendar day. The aim is to preserve more large female fish with great spawning potential.

The proposal matches a rule enacted in Rhode Island for 2022 and would ensure Massachusetts and Rhode Island consistently manage their recreational fisheries across jurisdictions, as recommended in the interstate plan.

DMF will host the virtual public hearing on Nov. 1, 2022 at 6 p.m. to take comment on draft regulations. Register for the hearing at: https://bit.ly/3SIdZJv.

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass, bluefish and false albacore. Fly fishing guide and instructor Ed Lombardo, said, “The hickory shad and striped bass have been plentiful now for the past few weeks, both in Narrow River and at Charlestown Breachway. Small bucktail streamer flies in colors of yellow, or black, over white with flash topping has been working very well for shad. The striped bass like flies in traditional white and olive, or white and chartreuse with some flash in the body. I have been getting some very nice bass in the 24 to 39-inch class with my Hot Pink Ed’s Fly.”

Bass are everywhere in the Bay. We have so much Atlantic menhaden in the four to six inch range around that customer Albert Bettencourt of Riverside said they were four feet thick in the Warren River with slot size striped bass (28” to <35”) and larger fish under them. So with all this bait in the water it was hard to get them to bite,” said John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside.

East End Eddie Doherty, expert Cape Cod Canal angler and author said, “Peanut bunker, silversides, adult menhaden, mackerel and other baitfish remain in the Canal providing a top-notch meal plan for hungry predators! Vinny Rosata from Wareham caught several nice fish on the early east tide including a 41-inch striped bass with an Al Gags 5 ounce white soft plastic jig.” 

Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, RI said, “Stripers have started to push to south county beaches. Chasing peanut bunker these fish are mostly school bass to decent sized slot fish. Fishing was also very good this past week in the breachways and salt ponds even when it was too rough to boat fish or fish out front along the beach. The ponds have been loaded with bait (silversides, mullet, peanut bunker, shad, juvenile scup, and seabass) and bass ranging from schoolie to over slot sized that are feeding heavily on all of the bait.”

 Fluke, black sea bass and scup.  The fluke bite is nearly nonexistent with anglers finding it difficult to catch large black sea bass too in the Bay and in many places along the coast.  However, the scup bit is still very strong anywhere there is structure and good water movement in particular. “Scup being caught are large, 15” or so, with anglers still limiting out (30 fish/angler/day, 10” minimum size).” said John Littlefield.

Tautog. “When it has been calm enough for boaters to get out, the tautog fishing has been good with the best reports coming from shallow areas in 30 feet or less.” said Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle.  John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait said, “The tautog bite is good with anglers catching keepers at Kettle Point, East Providence; Conimicut Light, Warwick; at Colt State Park, Bristol, and out if front off Newport.”

Freshwater fishing is improving with ponds being stocked with trout in RI and MA waterways including Whiting and Falls Ponds in North Attleboro. “The trout bite is on at Willet Avenue Pond, Riverside where the state stocked it and 23 other waterways with rainbow and brook trout just before the holiday,” said Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & tackle.

Dave Monti holds a captain’s master license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.