What special fishing regulations apply at Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay?

Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Rhode Island's statewide 2026 rules, covering Striped bass. One of them reads: "Northern upper estuary; striped bass + scup + summer flounder + tautog + bluefish + winter flounder; ASMFC 28-31 in striped bass slot + 1 / day; RIDEM Marine Fisheries jurisdiction; circle hooks required on natural bait for striped bass since 2021." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay?

Yes. Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay is in Rhode Island, so a valid Rhode Island fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) — Division of Fish & Wildlife. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Narragansett Bay; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Rhode Island rules.

Do Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay's special rules replace Rhode Island's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Rhode Island's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Narragansett Bay by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Narragansett Bay?

Striped bass has a water-body-specific rule on Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay, each linking to its full Rhode Island regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Rhode Island limits.

2026 regulation year

Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay 2026 — Rhode Island Fishing Regulations

Rhode Island statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Rhode Island's 2026 fishing rules — covering Striped bass. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay (RI) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Northern upper estuary; striped bass + scup + summer flounder + tautog + bluefish + winter flounder; ASMFC 28-31 in striped bass slot + 1 / day; RIDEM Marine Fisheries jurisdiction; circle hooks required on natural bait for striped bass since 2021
Source: Rhode Island special-water list

Per-species rules on Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay

Striped bass regulations →
28-31 in slot, 1 / day; ASMFC harmonized; resident schools spring through fall

Official source

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) — Division of Fish & Wildlife publishes the authoritative 2026 Rhode Island fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Rhode Island fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's emergency-order feed — check it before any Rhode Island trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Rhode Island

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay?: Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Rhode Island's statewide 2026 rules, covering Striped bass. One of them reads: "Northern upper estuary; striped bass + scup + summer flounder + tautog + bluefish + winter flounder; ASMFC 28-31 in striped bass slot + 1 / day; RIDEM Marine Fisheries jurisdiction; circle hooks required on natural bait for striped bass since 2021." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay?: Yes. Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay is in Rhode Island, so a valid Rhode Island fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) — Division of Fish & Wildlife. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Narragansett Bay; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Rhode Island rules.
Do Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay's special rules replace Rhode Island's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Rhode Island's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Narragansett Bay by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Narragansett Bay?: Striped bass has a water-body-specific rule on Narragansett Bay — Upper Bay, each linking to its full Rhode Island regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Rhode Island limits.

← Back to Rhode Island regulations overview