NORTH SMITHFIELD/BURRILLVILLE – In honor of Veterans Day, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will stock ponds across the state with thousands of Rainbow and Brook Trout – including several in northern Rhode Island – providing a special fishing opportunity for veterans and residents alike.
The stocking began Wednesday, Nov. 6, and will continue through Friday, Nov. 8, in select waterbodies, some of which are wheelchair accessible.
“Stocking fish in popular waterbodies is a gesture by which DEM honors Rhode Island veterans for their service, sacrifice, and duty done,” said Director Terry Gray. “We hope many veterans will get outside and drop a line in the water this weekend.”
Anglers will find the freshly stocked trout at Burrillville’s Peck Pond and Round Top Ponds, as well as Tarkiln Pond in Burrillville and North Smithfield.
The following additional locations will be stocked:
- Barber Pond, South Kingstown
- Carbuncle Pond, Coventry – Wheelchair Accessible
- Meadow Brook Pond, Richmond
- Olney Pond, Lincoln State Park, Lincoln – Wheelchair Accessible
- Shippee Sawmill Pond, Foster
- Simmons Mill Pond, Little Compton
- Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown – Wheelchair Accessible
- Stafford Pond, Tiverton
- Tucker Pond, South Kingstown
- Watchaug Pond, Charlestown
- Willet Pond, East Providence
- Wyoming Pond, Hopkinton, Richmond
The DEM will provide daily stocking updates each afternoon. For the latest information, residents can check the DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Facebook page, visit www.dem.ri.gov/troutwaters, or call (401) 789-0281 or (401) 539-0019.
Anglers aged 15 and older are required to hold a 2024 Rhode Island fishing license. Additionally, a Trout Conservation Stamp is needed for those intending to keep or possess trout, except for those fishing in lakes or ponds bordering Rhode Island. Licenses can be purchased online through the DEM’s Rhode Island Outdoors portal.
