What special fishing regulations apply at Ninigret Pond?

Ninigret Pond carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Rhode Island's statewide 2026 rules, covering Weakfish (squeteague). One of them reads: "1,710-acre coastal salt pond with breachway to Block Island Sound at Charlestown Breachway; striped bass + summer flounder + bluefish + scup + tautog; Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge protected; major surf + jetty + breachway venue." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Ninigret Pond?

Yes. Ninigret Pond 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 Ninigret Pond; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Rhode Island rules.

Do Ninigret Pond's special rules replace Rhode Island's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Rhode Island's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Ninigret Pond 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 Ninigret Pond?

Weakfish (squeteague) has a water-body-specific rule on Ninigret Pond, each linking to its full Rhode Island regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Rhode Island limits.

2026 regulation year

Ninigret Pond 2026 — Rhode Island Fishing Regulations

Rhode Island statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Ninigret Pond carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Rhode Island's 2026 fishing rules — covering Weakfish (squeteague). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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

State-level special regulation

1,710-acre coastal salt pond with breachway to Block Island Sound at Charlestown Breachway; striped bass + summer flounder + bluefish + scup + tautog; Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge protected; major surf + jetty + breachway venue
Source: Rhode Island special-water list

Per-species rules on Ninigret Pond

Weakfish (squeteague) regulations →
16 in min, 1 / day; salt-pond flats + Charlestown Breachway

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 Ninigret Pond?: Ninigret Pond carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Rhode Island's statewide 2026 rules, covering Weakfish (squeteague). One of them reads: "1,710-acre coastal salt pond with breachway to Block Island Sound at Charlestown Breachway; striped bass + summer flounder + bluefish + scup + tautog; Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge protected; major surf + jetty + breachway venue." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Ninigret Pond?: Yes. Ninigret Pond 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 Ninigret Pond; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Rhode Island rules.
Do Ninigret Pond's special rules replace Rhode Island's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Rhode Island's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Ninigret Pond 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 Ninigret Pond?: Weakfish (squeteague) has a water-body-specific rule on Ninigret Pond, 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