Everything to Know About Summer Fishing in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a great place to be an angler, no matter what time of the year it is. Whether it’s trout and flounder in the winter, bass and albies in the fall, or tautog in spring, there is always something worth catching, both in freshwater lakes and in the open ocean. But summer is when the state really shines, with warm temperatures, good weather, and the peak of the saltwater fishing season. Just about every angling experience is available, from surfcasting for striped bass and back bays teeming with bluefish to deep-water hunting for pelagic trophies.
Regardless of their experience, budget, or the type of fish being pursued, summer is a dream for anglers in Rhode Island. The following sections break down what types of species are available, the most important seasonal regulations for anglers in the state, and what fishing experts are predicting for summer 2026.
Anglers’ Favorite Fish Species Return
With the start of spring in late March, the conditions quickly change in Rhode Island, which means better weather, warmer water, and the return of some of local anglers’ favorite fish species. As spring works its way through April, striped bass will start to make their way back into the bays. Tautog and herring also become more common, making for a varied fishing experience. Then, as summer hits in mid-June, it's game on for just about everything. The striped bass population hits its peak, flounder are all over the place, bluefish become more common, and black sea bass are a great option for in-shore fishing. Scup are also an excellent choice for shore casting. Tautog are still plentiful, but are off-limits in June and July, as this is peak spawning season for the blackfish.
Meanwhile, summer is peak season for offshore deep-water fishing, with lots of charters available and just as many locals pursuing big fish in their personal rigs. Bluefin tuna start to show up in June, with populations peaking between July and October. Summer is also peak shark season, which means natural competition when reeling in those bluefin.
Seasonal Information and Regulations
As always, anglers of all ages and experiences need to follow local regulations when fishing, whether they are deep-sea fishing far from shore or casting for smaller species in Rhode Island’s bays and lakes. Tautog season opens in early April and runs until the end of May (as mentioned earlier, they are off limits in June and July). Tautog are once again fair game starting on August 1 and running through the rest of the summer. The minimum size for keepers is 16 inches, and there’s a limit of three per person in April, May, August, September, and the first half of October. After October 15, the individual limit increases to five. However, it’s important to note that the total limit for a boat is 10, regardless of the season (with the exception of licensed charter boats).
Summer flounder season runs from April 1 through the end of December, with a minimum limit of 19 inches and a maximum of six per person per day. However, it is important to note the different regulations that apply to special shore areas—such as Indian Point Park in Providence and the East and West Walls in Narragansett—where the size limit is 17 inches with a maximum limit of two per person per day.
Bluefish have no size limit and open season is year-round, but there is a limit of three per person per day. The exception is licensed parties and charters, where the limit increases to five per person per day. Scup are available after May 1, with an 11-inch limit from a boat and a 9.5-inch limit from shore, and a total of 30 allowed per person per day. Meanwhile, the black sea bass season for shore and private boat fishing starts on May 22 (with a size limit of 16.5 inches), while party and charter season opens June 18 (with a size limit of 16 inches). In September, the per-person limit on black sea bass increases from two to three for private anglers and from two to six for charters and licensed parties.
Finally, the striped bass season is open year-round, but there is a limit of one per person per day within the slot limit, which is a minimum length of 28 inches and a maximum length of 31 inches.
Fishing Predictions for This Summer
Based on recent trends, as well as historical arrival times and populations over the past few years, this is looking like a great summer for Rhode Island anglers. Slot-sized striped bass should show up early (targeting late April in Narragansett Bay), and the late summer and early fall storms should scare up healthy populations, even if the striper fishing is a bit inconsistent over the late season. June and July could deliver a nice run of trophy size stripers out by Block Island, as well as huge bluefish and a chance of mackerel.
It should also be another good summer for bluefin tuna, with the first trolling action kicking into gear out in the mid-shore areas near Block Island in June. In July, the focus will shift to jigging, as the bluefin head deeper to the 170- to 200-foot range. But as mentioned earlier, this could also be an active shark season, with brown sharks showing up in greater numbers over the last few years. Browns have been known to take stripers off the line, in addition to bluefish, mackerel, and bunker. Bear in mind that brown sharks are protected and cannot be taken by anglers, but can be caught and released, as long as they are not removed from the water.