Saltwater Sportfishing Laws and Licensing
Information is available from the RIDEM website at: www.state.ri.us/dem/. A pamphlet on general recreational and commercial fishing laws is available from the RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife by calling (401) 423-1920. All marine licenses are issued by RIDEM's licensing section, 235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908, or call (401) 222-6647.
Shellfishing
During open season, no license is necessary for residents of Rhode Island. Any resident may take, in any one day during open season (if applicable), not more than a half-bushel each of quahogs, soft-shelled clams, surf clams, oysters, and mussels, and not more than one bushel of scallops, provided that none of these shellfish be offered for sale. The holder of a nonresident shellfishing license may take, on any one day, not more than one peck each of oysters, quahogs, soft-shelled clams, surf clams, or mussels. There is no taking of lobsters, blue crabs, or bay scallops by nonresidents. Licenses are required for lobsters and are only available to residents of Rhode Island. Additional restrictions apply in shellfish management areas.Finfishing
No license is necessary for saltwater fishing in Rhode Island.Minimum Size, Catch Limit, Closed Areas
There are strictly enforceable minimum size and catch limits for fish, shellfish, lobsters, and crabs. For further information on minimum sizes and catch limits call RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife at (401) 423-1920. For current information on pollution and seasonal closures, call RIDEM Division of Water Resources at (401) 222-3961.
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