2025 Season
Fishing Regulations
Fishing
RI Striped Bass Aligned with ASMFC 2025 Addendum VI Slot Limit
Effective January 1, 2025
Rhode Island aligned its striped bass recreational harvest regulations with ASMFC 2025 Addendum VI, establishing a 28–35 inch slot limit for harvest. Fish below 28 inches or above 35 inches must be immediately released, restricting harvest to a specific size window that protects both juvenile fish and the largest breeding-age females. This regulation applies to all recreational striped bass fishing in Rhode Island state waters.
Key Changes:
• Striped bass slot limit: 28–35 inches for harvest (fish outside slot must be released)
• Fish below 28 inches: immediate release required
• Fish above 35 inches: immediate release required (protects large breeding females)
• Change required by ASMFC 2025 Addendum VI to address coastwide stock concerns
• One fish per day bag limit unchanged
• Applies to all RI state waters; federal waters follow separate NOAA regulations
Source: Official Rhode Island Agency ↗
Hunting Regulations
Hunting
RI Zone A Antlerless Permit Allocation Reduced 15% Due to Herd Decline
Effective September 1, 2025
Rhode Island DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife reduced the antlerless deer permit allocation in Management Zone A (western Rhode Island) by 15% for the 2025–26 season after population data indicated a declining herd in that zone. A new 3-day split early Canada goose season was also established in agricultural damage control zones for September, allowing harvest of resident geese with a 5-bird daily limit in those areas.
Key Changes:
• Zone A (western RI) antlerless permit allocation reduced 15% due to herd decline data
• Population monitoring triggered the reduction per DEM management protocols
• New early Canada goose season: 3-day split September season in agricultural zones
• Agricultural zone early Canada goose daily limit: 5 birds
• Zone B and Zone C deer permit allocations unchanged for 2025
• Hunters should check DEM for updated Zone A permit availability before applying
Source: Official Rhode Island Agency ↗