Fish consumption advisories

Rhode Island

Rhode Island publishes advisories for 4 waters, covering 22 species-and-size recommendations.

Contaminants of concern: Dioxins, Mercury, PCBs, PFAS

Statewide advisory

These apply across Rhode Island, including waters with no specific advisory of their own.

All Other Species Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
American Eel General population Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
American Eel Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
Black Crappie General population Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
Black Crappie Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
Chain Pickerel General population Do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
Chain Pickerel Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
Largemouth Bass General population Do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
Largemouth Bass Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
Northern Pike General population Do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
Northern Pike Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
Rainbow Trout Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
Smallmouth Bass General population Do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)
Smallmouth Bass Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Rhode Island statewide advisory (mercury/PCBs; freshwater off-limits for the sensitive group except stocked trout)

Waters with advisories in Rhode Island

4 waters on file. A water not listed here has no advisory in the state's data — which usually means it has never been sampled, not that it's been cleared.

Ponds 2

Rivers 2

Rhode Island statewide fishing limits

Statewide defaults — specific waters and zones may differ. Verify the current rules before keeping a fish.

Species	Size	Daily limit	Open season	Keep season
Rainbow Trout	8" min	5	Year-round	04-11 – 11-30
Largemouth Bass	12" min	5	Year-round	Same as open
Smallmouth Bass	12" min	5	Year-round	Same as open
Northern Pike	24" min	2	Year-round	Same as open
Chain Pickerel	14" min	5	Year-round	Same as open
American Eel	9" min	25	Year-round	Same as open
Walleye	—	—	Year-round	Same as open
Yellow Perch	—	—	Year-round	Same as open
Black Crappie	—	—	Year-round	Same as open
Bluegill	—	—	Year-round	Same as open

Official rules: Rhode Island — Rhode Island DEM

Where this comes from

Advisories: Rhode Island Dept. of Health — Eating Fish Safely
Regulations: Rhode Island — Rhode Island DEM
All sources: Every state's official source