What special fishing regulations apply at Scituate Reservoir?

Scituate Reservoir carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Rhode Island's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "3,200-acre Providence Water Supply System reservoir; shore-fishing only — NO BODY CONTACT, no boats other than RI Water Resources Board permitted electric / non-motorized; brown + rainbow + brook trout stocked + holdover; smallmouth + largemouth bass; RI's largest reservoir; special-use permit + boat permit required from Providence Water Supply Board." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Scituate Reservoir?

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

Do Scituate Reservoir's special rules replace Rhode Island's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Rhode Island's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Scituate Reservoir 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 Scituate Reservoir?

Largemouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Scituate Reservoir, each linking to its full Rhode Island regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Rhode Island limits.

2026 regulation year

Scituate Reservoir 2026 — Rhode Island Fishing Regulations

Rhode Island statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

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

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

State-level special regulation

3,200-acre Providence Water Supply System reservoir; shore-fishing only — NO BODY CONTACT, no boats other than RI Water Resources Board permitted electric / non-motorized; brown + rainbow + brook trout stocked + holdover; smallmouth + largemouth bass; RI's largest reservoir; special-use permit + boat permit required from Providence Water Supply Board
Source: Rhode Island special-water list

Per-species rules on Scituate Reservoir

Largemouth bass regulations →
12 in min, 5 / day combined; shore-fishing only or RI Water Resources Board permit boat access (no body contact)

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

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Scituate Reservoir?: Scituate Reservoir carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Rhode Island's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass. One of them reads: "3,200-acre Providence Water Supply System reservoir; shore-fishing only — NO BODY CONTACT, no boats other than RI Water Resources Board permitted electric / non-motorized; brown + rainbow + brook trout stocked + holdover; smallmouth + largemouth bass; RI's largest reservoir; special-use permit + boat permit required from Providence Water Supply Board." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Scituate Reservoir?: Yes. Scituate Reservoir 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 Scituate Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Rhode Island rules.
Do Scituate Reservoir's special rules replace Rhode Island's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Rhode Island's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Scituate Reservoir 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 Scituate Reservoir?: Largemouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Scituate Reservoir, 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