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Fly Fishing in Rhode Island

25 featured rivers, lakes and streams in Rhode Island, each with target species, a hatch chart and a map of nearby access.

Barber Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
A deep, clean kettle pond that is heavily stocked with trout and offers good water for float tubes.
Beaver River (Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
A intimate, narrow tributary of the Pawcatuck system perfect for 2-weight or 3-weight rods and dry fly presentations.
Big River (Largemouth Bass, Brook Trout, Pickerel)
Slow-moving tea-colored water within the Big River Management Area, ideal for warm-water species and spring trout.
Blackstone River (Albion Dam) (Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Carp)
A resilient urban fishery providing surprisingly good action for smallmouth bass and large fall-stocked trout.
Charlestown Breachway (Striped Bass, Bluefish)
A legendary spot for 'the wash'—fishing the outgoing tide for stripers feeding on bait exiting the pond.
Clear River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Living up to its name, this Burrillville river offers sight-fishing opportunities for stocked rainbows in gravel runs.
Colt State Park Shoreline (Striped Bass, Bluefish)
Easy access wade-fishing into Narragansett Bay; great for beginners learning to cast into the wind for schoolies.
Fogland Point (Striped Bass, Bluefish)
A unique geographic spit in Tiverton that creates complex currents attracting baitfish and predators alike.
Gould Island Shallows (Striped Bass, False Albacore)
Accessible only by boat or kayak, the flats surrounding the island are a hidden gem for sight-casting.
Meadow Brook Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Small pond known for early season trout success and very accessible banks for back-cast clearance.
Moosup River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Flowing through western RI, this river offers classic riffle-and-pool water for stocked and holdover trout.
Moshassuck River (Pawtucket) (Brown Trout)
Small, urban pocket water that surprises with its brown trout population and tight-quarters casting challenges.
Nannaquaket Pond (Striped Bass, Bluefish)
A tidal pond in Tiverton that acts as a giant nursery; excellent for schoolie striped bass and bluefish on light tackle.
Narrow River (Pettaquamscutt) (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Hickory Shad)
A long, winding estuary with slow currents, perfect for drift fishing sand eels and silversides to hungry stripers.
Ninigret Pond Flats (Striped Bass, Bluefish)
Often called the 'closest thing to Caribbean flats' in RI, offering sight-fishing opportunities for striped bass.
Pawcatuck River (Lower) (Striped Bass, White Perch)
A major coastal river system; the lower tidal section holds large stripers migrating up from the Sound.
Point Judith Pond (Striped Bass, Bluefish)
Large salt pond estuary with diverse structure including docks and sod banks for night-time striper fishing.
Quonochontaug Breachway (False Albacore, Striped Bass, Bluefish)
A dynamic saltwater cut connecting a salt pond to the ocean; prime territory for False Albacore in the autumn.
Roaring Brook (Brook Trout)
A tiny, secluded woodland stream that holds native brook trout for the stealthy angler using bushy dry flies.
Rome Point (Striped Bass, Bluefish, Tautog)
A scenic hike-in spot where the West Passage of Narragansett Bay offers rocky structure and clear water.
Round Top Brook (Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout)
State-managed area with a cold-water stream and small ponds that hold trout well into the warmer months.
Sachuest Point (The Rocks) (Striped Bass, Bluefish, False Albacore)
Rugged surf casting environment where anglers find stripers and bluefish among the boulders during the fall run.
Weekapaug Breachway (Striped Bass, Bluefish, False Albacore)
A high-energy saltwater inlet where heavy sinking lines and large streamers target trophy striped bass in the current.
Wood River (Checkerville Section) (Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Classic New England trout water with overhanging laurels and cold pockets for wild brookies and stocked rainbows.
Woonasquatucket River (Smithfield) (Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish)
Revitalized river sections that offer surprisingly productive fly fishing for trout and aggressive panfish.

Fly Fishing in Rhode Island

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