Rhode Island’s Top 17 Fishing Spots You’ve Probably Overlooked 🎣
Rhode Island, known as the “Ocean State,” may be America’s smallest state by land area, but it packs an enormous punch when it comes to fishing opportunities. With over 400 miles of pristine coastline, Narragansett Bay’s legendary waters, and numerous freshwater gems, Rhode Island offers some of the most diverse and productive fishing in New England.
From world-class striped bass fishing to secluded trout ponds, the Ocean State provides angling adventures that belie its compact size. We’re counting down to Rhode Island’s premier fishing destinations, revealing their unique features, and the incredible species that await your line!
Jump to a Lake
- #17 Carbuncle Pond
- #16 Tiogue Lake
- #15 Wood River
- #14 Watchaug Pond
- #13 Wallum Lake
- #12 Beach Pond
- #11 Stafford Pond
Source: Pixabay
17. Carbuncle Pond
Primary Target Species: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Chain Pickerel.
Highlights: Carbuncle Pond offers intimate bass fishing in one of Rhode Island’s most peaceful settings. This small but productive pond in Coventry provides excellent largemouth bass fishing in crystal-clear waters surrounded by dense aquatic vegetation.
The pond’s manageable size makes it perfect for anglers seeking a quiet escape while still providing consistent fishing action. It is a small 39-acre pond perfect for beginners and families, with a peaceful setting away from crowds.
- 🎣 Top 10 Bass Fishing Lures That Actually Work: Proven lures anglers swear by in lakes across the U.S.
Source: Pixabay
16. Tiogue Lake
Primary Target Species: Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass.
Highlights: Tiogue Lake serves as one of Rhode Island’s premier trout fishing destinations, regularly stocked by the Department of Environmental Management. Located in Coventry, this scenic lake offers excellent accessibility with multiple shore fishing opportunities.
It provides consistent trout action throughout the stocked season, and seasonal trout fishing with year-round bass action. It is a popular trout fishing lake with regular stocking programs.
- 📋 U.S. Fishing License & Regulation Guide: Everything you need to know before casting your line.
Source: Pixabay
15. Wood River
Primary Target Species: Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout.
Highlights: The Wood River flows through southwestern Rhode Island, providing excellent trout fishing in a beautiful natural setting. This designated trout water features multiple stocking locations and offers a classic New England stream fishing experience.
The river’s varied pools and riffles create diverse habitat for both stocked and wild trout. It is excellent for fly fishing and traditional trout fishing opportunities.
- 🧭 Best Times of Year to Fish in Every State: Seasonal tips to help you plan the perfect fishing trip.
Source: Pixabay
14. Watchaug Pond
Primary Target Species: Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Crappie.
Highlights: Watchaug Pond, located within Burlingame State Park, offers excellent warmwater fishing in a scenic state park setting. This large pond provides diverse fishing opportunities for multiple species.
It offers excellent recreational amenities including camping, hiking, and swimming areas for the whole family, and is good for family fishing trips.
- 🏆 America’s 25 Most Legendary Fishing Spots: Bucket-list destinations for serious anglers.
Source: Pixabay
13. Wallum Lake
Primary Target Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Chain Pickerel.
Highlights: Wallum Lake straddles the Rhode Island-Massachusetts border, offering excellent fishing for multiple species in crystal-clear waters. This popular lake is known for its largemouth and smallmouth bass populations, along with excellent yellow perch fishing.
The lake’s relatively small size makes it perfect for small boat and shore fishing. It is a border lake with reciprocal fishing licenses between RI and MA, and clear waters are ideal for sight fishing.
- 🧰 Essential Gear Checklist for Lake Fishing: Don’t leave home without these lake-tested essentials.
Source: Pixabay
12. Beach Pond
Primary Target Species: Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch.
Highlights: Beach Pond offers a unique fishing experience as one of the few clear, deep waters in Rhode Island that supports both coldwater and warmwater species. Located on the Connecticut border, this scenic pond provides excellent trout fishing.
It also offers bass and pickerel opportunities in a pristine natural setting. It is a clear, deep pond supporting both trout and warmwater species, with reciprocal licenses for the CT border, and pristine natural setting with excellent water quality.
- 🎣 Top 10 Bass Fishing Lures That Actually Work: Proven lures anglers swear by in lakes across the U.S.
Source: Pixabay
11. Stafford Pond
Primary Target Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch.
Highlights: Stafford Pond in Tiverton ranks among Rhode Island’s top bass fishing destinations, offering 480 acres of diverse underwater structure and excellent habitat. The pond’s clear waters, abundant vegetation, and varied depths create ideal conditions for both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
This makes it popular with tournament anglers. It is a premier bass fishing destination with 480 acres of diverse habitat, and a popular tournament lake with excellent bass populations, clear waters and varied underwater structure.