DEM stocks brook trout; ice fishing safety

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has begun stocking four ponds with 2,000 brook trout this week for the winter fishing season. Barber Pond, South Kingstown; Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown and Meadowbrook Pond and Wyoming Pond in Richmond have been stocked. Additional locations will be announced later this month.

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 Dec. 1, 2016 through Feb. 28, 2017 currently stands at two per day.

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

How do you know if ice is safe for fishing?

Ice must have a uniform thickness of at least six inches before it is considered safe by DEM. It generally takes at least five to seven consecutive days of temperatures in the low 20’s for safe ice to form. In addition to the requisite cold temperatures, ice thickness is also determined by factors such as the size and depth of a pond, presence of springs or currents, and local temperature fluctuations.

For ice conditions in your city or town check with local police or recreation departments. DEM 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 the three state pond locations, call DEM's 24-hour Ice Information telephone line, 401/667-6222.

Annual fly tying expo for charity

The Rhody Fly Rodders will hold their annual Fly Tying Expo Tuesday, Dec. 20, 6:30 p.m. at the Riverside Sportsmen’s Association, 19 Mohawk Drive, East Providence. Peter Nilsen, president of Rhody Fly Rodders said, “We hope to tie 200 flies for this year’s charity and then sell them at the many fishing shows we attend. This year our designated charity is Project Healing Waters. They take wounded, disabled and challenged veterans and introduce them to the quiet world of fly fishing and fly tying.” For information contact Peter Nilsen at pdfish@fullchannel.net.

Trout Unlimited to meet December 21

The Narragansett Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU225) will host a meeting Wednesday, December 21, 6:30 p.m. at the Coventry / West Greenwich Elks Lodge, 42 Nooseneck Hill Road (Rte. 3, Exit 6 off of Rte. 95), West Greenwich.

Trout Unlimited will thank its members for the many volunteer hours they contributed to conservation, habitat, access improvement, and water monitoring projects completed in 2016 in our local watersheds. In addition members and guests will network, tell fishing and fly tying tales, and the Chapter will wish all a Happy 2017. Members will also approve the ballot and vote for next year’s Board members. Contact chapter president, Ron Marafioti at 401/463-6162 with questions.

Where’s the bite?

Tautog and cod fishing. Tautog fishing ends Thursday, December 15 and by anyone’s measure it was a great season both in terms of numbers of fish and the size of fish with fish in the 14 and 15 pound being caught in local waters on a weekly basis.

Cod fishing remained strong this last week. Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “The fishing was simply explosive on last Wednesday with limit and near limit catches all the way around the deck of the Lady Frances. Plenty of other limit and near limit catches recorded on other days too. The largest fish most days were in the low to mid-teens range. Plenty of sea bass mixing in most days as well with many fishers getting limits of sea bass. Both bait and jigs have been working.”

Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence fished the East Fishing Grounds off Block Island Wednesday of last week with Capt. Rob Taylor of Newport Sport Fishing Charters. Henault said, “We had a great day fishing with the five of us catching a total of 27 keeper codfish, 15 keeper black sea bass to four pounds, a weakfish and a pollock. The largest cod was 15 pounds with most fish caught using jigs and Berkley Gulp.”

Fresh water fishing for trout is expected to be very good in water ways stocked by DEM. Visit dem.ri.gov for a list of ponds stocked. Henault of said, “Remember the best bait to use to catch recently stocked trout are Power Baits as this is the type of food they eat when in the hatchery.”

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shellfishing for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. He is a RISAA board member, a member of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association and a member of the RI Marine Fisheries Council. Contact or forward fishing news and photos to Capt. Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net or visit his website at noflukefishing.com.