Come and get ’em: Portsmouth pond stocked with trout

DEM supplementing ponds at Melville for winter fishing season

Jim McGaw
Posted 12/30/16

PORTSMOUTH — “Just got a few stragglers at the bottom now,” said Charlie Lacki, as he plunged his net into the big tank atop his truck Friday morning and tossed the remaining few …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Come and get ’em: Portsmouth pond stocked with trout

DEM supplementing ponds at Melville for winter fishing season

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — “Just got a few stragglers at the bottom now,” said Charlie Lacki, as he plunged his net into the big tank atop his truck Friday morning and tossed the remaining few rainbow trout into Upper Melville Pond.

The R.I. Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) is completing its winter season trout stocking in anticipation of shore-side and ice fishing during the colder months.

About 300 fish were released into the Melville pond that sits behind the elementary school the bears its name, according to Mr. Lacki, the fish hatchery supervisor for RIDEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.

“I usually do this for opening day and we do it again about two to three weeks after opening day. We probably do it four times a year,” he said.

None of the fish tossed Friday were the coveted golden trout that RIDEM stocks in limited amounts during certain times of the year.

“These were all rainbow trout. The golden trout I think we do it only the first week of May in certain locations,” said Mr. Lacki.

Before visiting Portsmouth on Friday, he had been stocking ponds in the northern section of the state. “I’ve been working up in Burrillville, Coventry, Lincoln Woods — all these big places that get heavy traffic for ice fishing,” he said.

And, he plans on coming back to Melville next week to stock the Lower Pond. “The guys have to open the gates for us so we can drive in,” he explained.

Connecting with nature

According to RIDEM, winter is a popular time for shore-side and ice fishing in Rhode Island. 

“As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in the state, fishing plays an important role in connecting people with nature, promoting health, attracting tourism, and supporting a treasured tradition for Rhode Island families,” stated a press release from RIDEM. 

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there are about 175,000 recreational anglers, ages 16 and up, in Rhode Island. “And recreational fishing contributes more than $130 million to the economy each year,” according to RIDEM.

Them’s the rules

The department reminds anglers of the following: 

• A current Rhode Island fishing license is required, and a Trout Conservation Stamp is required to keep or possess a trout. The daily creel and possession limit for trout is two from Dec. 1, 2016 through Feb. 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.

• The use of external felt soled or any natural or synthetic porous material capable of absorbing water in any freshwaters in Rhode Island is strictly prohibited. This includes any waters shared with adjacent states in which Rhode Island fishing regulations apply.

• Ice on the ponds must have a uniform thickness of at least six inches before it is considered safe. RIDEM does not monitor ice conditions in local communities; residents should contact their local recreation departments regarding ice conditions in individual communities.

• RIDEM monitors the thickness of the ice at Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln, Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick, and Meshanticut State Park in Cranston on a daily basis, from Monday through Friday, weather permitting, during the winter months. For the latest information on ice conditions at these three locations, call RIDEM's 24-hour Ice Information telephone line, 401/667-6222.

For more information on recreational fishing in Rhode Island or to purchase a fishing license, visit www.dem.ri.gov. 

Follow RIDEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM for more information on recreational opportunities in Rhode Island as well as other updates.

Melville Pond, Melville Park, RIDEM, fishing, Upper Melville Pond

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.